Consideration is given to the establishment and operation of MPAs in the CCAMLR Convention Area, including the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA and the Ross Sea Region MPA.

The adoption of the Ross Sea MPA in 2016 marked "the end of the beginning" of the CCAMLR MPA designation process started over a decade earlier. Additional MPAs will demonstrate that the Ross Sea MPA designation was not a one-off for CCAMLR, but rather one important step in establishing a representative system of MPAs in the Convention Area. This paper provides an overview of the progress made by CCAMLR toward establishing a representative system of MPAs in the Southern Ocean, including spatial gaps. To achieve further progress on MPAs, Members should adopt a pragmatic approach that prioritises meeting the ecosystem protection, scientific and climate change objectives of CM 91-04, and also realises the potential of MPAs to enhance science and governance in Antarctica, including with respect to implementing the objectives of Article II (iii) of the CAMLR Convention.

In providing this update on Information and Data Systems the Secretariat welcomes input and recommendations from Members on priorities for future work including in the formation and operation of the Data Management Group (DMG).