New Antarctic MPA to protect whales and penguins

The government of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI), a British overseas territory, has significantly expanded its marine protected area (MPA) to include new no-fishing zones covering 166,000 km² and additional krill fishing prohibitions in 17,000 km² of the MPA. Aimed at safeguarding krill-dependent species such as baleen whales and penguins, these measures have been put in place amidst concerns over the impact of climate change and fishing pressure on the region's marine biodiversity. The decision, part of the UK government's Blue Belt Programme, has been welcomed by conservationists as a positive step towards marine conservation, despite Argentina's claim over the territory and its expression of discontent with the SGSSI government's actions. (Mongabay)