Strengthening the Ross Sea Research and Monitoring Plan to deliver effective, measurable, and robust management

The intersessional process to develop a Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (RSRMPA) has been extremely fruitful, and ASOC appreciates the work of the conveners and participants in drafting the plan. ASOC supports the implementation of the RMP, but recognizes it is a living document that will be refined over time. Thus, ASOC recommends that the importance of developing indicators and defining baselines should be highlighted more strongly; that baselines and indicators be identified where possible; that the linkages between research and monitoring priorities and the MPA’s objectives should be clarified; and that the use of geographic terms and references should be standardized.