This spring, ArcNet became available as a framework that takes a holistic view of Arctic Ocean protection and involves all Arctic stakeholders in the designation of protected areas. ArcNet was created on the initiative of the WWF.
“30 x 30” is an ambitious goal of the United Nations and means that at least 30 percent of the Earth’s land and ocean areas are to be protected by 2030. Almost 200 countries, with the exception of the USA and the Vatican, signed the corresponding agreement at the end of 2022.
In the Arctic, the urgency for the designation of protected areas is particularly high: sea ice is declining, temperatures are rising at least twice as fast as the global average temperature and increasing industrial development is threatening fragile habitats.
In 2017, WWF therefore initiated the creation of ArcNet – a network of priority areas for marine conservation throughout the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. The transformation of Arctic ecosystems is unprecedented and threatens indigenous peoples as well as “the physical and ecosystem services that are critical to Earth’s life-support system,” according to the study published in Ocean Sustainability in April, which describes the implementation of the ArcNet framework.
ArcNet has been available and applicable for decision-makers since April of this year. It comprises 83 Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs), which cover 31 percent of the Arctic Ocean with a total area of around 5.9 square kilometers.
However, ArcNet is much more than just a map that shows areas that need to be conserved. It also provides an extensive database of spatial information on marine life and special analysis tools for marine planning and management to create customized conservation measures for each area.
“Governments must act swiftly to translate commitments to protect and conserve the Arctic into action. ArcNet stands ready to bridge the gap between rhetoric and implementation, offering a vital tool to translate words into meaningful change,” said Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, Head of Conservation at the WWF Global Arctic Programme and co-author of the study, in a WWF press release.
For the successful implementation of ArcNet, WWF asks for the participation of all stakeholders in the Arctic according to their expertise and responsibilities: Arctic governments, the Arctic Council, scientists, indigenous knowledge holders and the local population, experts in marine management and marine conservation as well as the marine industry.
“ArcNet takes a transformative approach, where inclusive engagement and unprecedented collaboration fuels implementation. Through providing a transparent analytical platform and cooperative tools, we pave the way to achieve the conservation goals the Arctic Ocean needs, from local to international levels,” said Dr. Sommerkorn.
Given the challenges the Arctic Ocean faces, the network is of great importance for the future of the Arctic by helping to make the Arctic more resilient and sustainable.
Julia Hager, Polar Journal AG
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