13 Important Marine Mammal Areas approved in the Southern Ocean, one of the world’s richest marine mammal areas
The new IMMAs in the Extended Southern Ocean Region feature habitats for species such as humpback, minke, blue, southern right and fin whales, as well as crabeater, leopard, Weddell, Ross, southern fur and southern elephant seals, New Zealand sea lions and killer whales.
“This work will serve to shine a light on the parts of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean which are most essential for marine mammals, according to current knowledge,” said Task Force co-chair Erich Hoyt.
Hoyt continued, “The Antarctic is part of the global high seas — that immense part of the ocean outside national jurisdiction. A new international treaty is being negotiated at the United Nations to protect the high seas’ marine biodiversity.”
Aurelie Spadone, IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme, noted, “These IMMAs are the early stage toward an effective protection of marine biodiversity. IMMAs as well as marine turtle areas and important bird and biodiversity areas provide expert-based information to policy makers to answer questions on key spots in the ocean for iconic species.’’
full article at – https://www.iucn.org/news/marine-and-polar/202008/13-important-marine-mammal-areas-approved-southern-ocean-one-worlds-richest-marine-mammal-areas
