24 Countries And European Union Create The World's Largest Marine Park, Ross Sea, In The Antarctica Ocean

The 24 UN member countries and the European Union agreed on making the Ross Sea in Antarctic Ocean the world's largest marine park. They decided to preserve one of the most pristine ecosystems on the planet Earth, which covers about 1.55 million square km (600,000 square miles) of an ocean.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources stated that the world's largest marine park, Ross Sea, would be protected from commercial fishing for 35 years. Fishing will be prohibited in 1.1 million square km of the Ross Sea. On the other hand, there are areas that permit fishing for krill and sawfish, according to Business Insider.

The Ross Sea covers over 12 percent of the Southern Ocean. Most of the world's penguins, seabirds, whales, Antarctic toothfish and colossal squid inhabited the Ross Sea. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the Ross Sea Region MPA will safeguard one of the last unspoiled ocean wilderness areas on the planet---home to unparalleled marine biodiversity and thriving communities of penguins, seals, whales, fish and seabirds.

Lewis Pugh, UN patron for the oceans said that he is absolutely overjoyed. He further said that this is a crucial first step in what he hopes will be a series of marine protected areas around Antarctica and in other parts of the High Seas around the globe.

Christian Science Monitor reports that the negotiations with 24 countries and the European nation had been resolved after Russia, that blocked the conservation proposals in five years, has finally agreed. It is reported that Russian fishing vessels targeted the area for fishing of sea bass. Antarctica also has been part of the Russian history.

Sergei Ivanov, Putin's former chief of staff and the new special representative for environmental protection. Ecology and transport stated that Russia has a proud history of exploration and science in Antarctica. He further stated that in this time of political turbulence in several parts of the world, they are pleased to be part of this collaborative international effort to safeguard the Ross Sea.