A marine reserve for the Ross Sea
In 2011, New Zealand and the United States put forward scenarios for a large marine reserve in the Ross Sea, in the part of Antarctica directly to the south of New Zealand. The proposal would be considered by the Commission that manages the waters around Antarctica (CCAMLR). But first New Zealand the US would have to agree on a joint proposal and then gain the support of the other 23 Members of the Commission. Eventually in October 2016, the Commission agreed to create the world's largest marine reserve (more than 1.5 million square kilometres (six times New Zealand's land area). These photos capture that momentous event.