World Wildlife Day 2019
With Two New Marine Parks, Argentina Gives Reason for Optimism
By Graham Harris and Claudio Campagna
March 3, 2019
[Note: this is the fourth in a series of blogs by staff in the WCS Marine Conservation Program in recognition of World Wildlife Day 2019.]
Our oceans are facing significant challenges. Plastic pollution, noise pollution, overfishing, climate change, and more have taken a toll. But this World Wildlife Day, which is focused on the rich biodiversity found underwater, there’s reason for hope. Among them, the progress we’re making toward meeting the United Nations target of protecting 10 percent of the ocean by 2020.
This past December, Argentina took a big step toward reaching its commitment with the creation of two large marine protected areas, Yaganes Marine Park in Drake’s passage and Namuncurá II along the southern shelf break of the Burdwood/Namuncurá Bank. Combined the two areas cover close to 85,000 square kilometers (or over 32,000 square miles).
These two new marine protected areas were identified as priority sites for ocean conservation by the Forum of NGOs for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea. WCS, and its partners in the Forum, played a key role in a process that lasted almost two years. WCS provided advice to the government and the necessary technical information on both parks. The collaborative endeavor attracted public attention toward the unique wildlife of the region, penguins and albatrosses among them.
The Yaganes and Namuncurá marine parks are nutrient-rich areas that are heavily used by many species of oceanic birds, from the huge wandering and royal albatrosses to the smallest diving petrels.
The Yaganes and Namuncurá marine parks are nutrient-rich areas that are heavily used by many species of oceanic birds, from the huge wandering and royal albatrosses to the smallest diving petrels. Many species of marine mammals, including several types of whale, dolphin and seal, also use both areas.
Just Friday, in opening his country’s legislative sessions, Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri cited the parks as a significant step for the country too. “Last year we reached a historic record with the creation of six protected areas including the first two National Marine Parks,” he said. “In total, we added 10 million protected hectares, and we will continue positioning our country as an international nature destination.”
Graham Harris is Senior Advisor for the Southern Cone & Patagonia at WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society). Claudio Campagna is Director of WCS’s Patagonian Sea and Sky Project and President of the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea.
WCS’s work to help establish these marine parks was generously supported by: the Waitt Foundation; the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation; the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas; Oceans 5; and a grant under the WCS MPA Fund.
