China and Russia team up to block four new marine parks in Antarctic waters

China and Russia are working together to block new Antarctic marine parks and loosen krill fishing restrictions, undermining an international convention designed to protect the region from overexploitation, according to analysts and conservationists.

- Graham Readfearn

With the support of Russia, China reportedly used its veto rights at a meeting of the 26-nation Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Tasmania to prevent the renewal of an agreement restricting krill fishing.

The two countries also blocked the declaration of four marine parks around the southern continent.

Experts said it reflected a push to resist and reverse environmental protections in Antarctica. Krill is an important food source for species including penguins, seals and whales, and fishing restrictions have previously been backed by scientists and member countries to ease pressures on wildlife as the region is affected by global heating.

Krill, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is used in nutritional supplements for people and in animal foods in agriculture.

Dr Tony Press, a former head of the Australian Antarctic Division, said the precautionary principle that had been supported by countries at CCAMLR meetings for three decades had "gone backwards" at the meeting last week. "That sets a very bad precedent for the future," he said.