Voluntary Measure by ARK gets international recognition

ARK Voluntary Restricted Zones, a voluntary measure led by krill fishing companies, obtained international recognition at the “100+ Biodiversity Positive practices and Actions around the World”.

This voluntary measure protects the foraging ground of penguins breeding in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. By precluding fishing around these colonies during their more critical time of the year, ARK members are allowing for a successful nesting season for all the three penguin species nesting in the area of concern. This measure also favours other predators during the summer season, such as Antarctic fur seals and whales.

The “100+ Biodiversity Positive practices and Actions around the World” initiative was launched by China Environmental Protection Foundation and the Paradise International Foundation under the guidance of the CBD Secretariat and Office of the Executive Committee for the Preparation of COP15 (Kunming, October 2021). The aim was to highlight noteworthy biodiversity conservation efforts, practices and models around the world and demonstrate the strong commitment of global non-governmental actors to their missions as biodiversity conservationists at the NGO Parallel Forum.