Nature Crime Alliance welcomes ASOC

The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has joined the Nature Crime Alliance to further its work on illegal fishing and wildlife trafficking.

ASOC plays a key role in the continued protection of vulnerable ecosystems in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean by providing a unified voice for Antarctic conservation. Founded in 1978 to advocate for environmental regulations at the highest levels of governance, it maintains that commitment today as the only environmental NGO with observer status to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which has responsibility for fisheries management in the Southern Ocean.

By becoming a member of the Alliance, ASOC joins a global, multi-sector network that raises political will, mobilises financial commitment, and bolsters operational capacity to fight nature crime. ASOC will gain access to an aligned network with which to foster new collaborations in support of its mission to inform and motivate global leaders to protect the crucial ecosystems of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.  

Claire Christian, Executive Director of ASOC, commented: “The Nature Crime Alliance offers the opportunity to expand our network and collaborate with likeminded organisations on the safeguarding of precious ecosystems. Through the Alliance, we hope to build stronger partnerships and bolster efforts to prevent nature crimes in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.”

ASOC joins other Ocean-focused members in the Alliance, including Fisheries Transparency Initiative, FishWise, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and will have the chance to engage in member working groups, including those focused on illegal fisheries and transparency tools. 

Dr Charles Barber, Director of the Nature Crime Alliance, said: “ASOC’s achievements in centering conservation and biodiversity within Antarctic governance makes it a valuable addition to the Alliance. We are looking forward to supporting ASOC in its mission and fostering collaboration with other Alliance members.”