Proposed Marine Reserve in the Antarctica Downsized by Roughly 40%

Conservationists have for some time now been trying to establish marine reserves in the Antarctica. One of them was supposed to cover about 875,000 square miles (2.3 million square kilometers).

Thanks to countries such as China, Norway and Russia, this proposed sanctuary has recently been downsized by about 40%, Live Science reports.

Apparently, none of these countries approved of the idea that, should the marine reserve initially proposed be established, commercial fishing would no longer be allowed in such a large region.

By asking that the proposed reserve be downsized, they were looking to make sure their ships would still be able to make the most out of their trips to the Antarctica.

High officials are expected to meet and discuss which parts of the Antarctica will benefit from legal protection this coming October. The meeting will take place in Hobart, Australia.