AOA boasts supporters such as actor and UN biodiversity ambassador Edward Norton, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and 16 environmental organisations, including Greenpeace, WWF and Forest & Bird.
Both New Zealand and the United States, members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), have already proposed reserves for the Ross Sea, but the AOA says the data suggests a much bigger area is needed.
"While there are two proposals on the table to protect some of it, our report shows that we need a much broader and ecosystems-focused approach if we are to ensure this environment remains healthy and stable," said AOA's Chuck Fox.
CCAMLR, established in 1982 to prevent the Antarctica being overexploited, has agreed to create a network of marine protected areas in some of the ocean around Antarctica.
However, CCAMLR is a closed body and the AOA says that without public attention during the process, only minimal protection will be achieved.
The next full CCAMLR meeting is in Hobart in late October.
- AAP
