Comments regarding a Marine Protected Area on the Southern Shelf

The Marine Protected Area on the southern shelf of the South Orkney Islands (SOISS MPA) established by CCAMLR in Subarea 48.2 on the initiative of the United Kingdom has existed for more then eight  years (Conservation Measure СМ 91-03, 2009). However, there are still issues related to the scientific and legal aspects of this MPA that require clarification. The SOISS MPA is the first MPA established by CCAMLR and lessons learned from it are important for subsequent proposals to establish MPAs in the Convention Area.  Taking into account the above, we consider it appropriate to make a number of comments in relation to the SOISS MPA.