HOBART, TASMANIA – October 31, 2025 – As this year's Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) concludes, Aker BioMarine and Aker QRILL Company recognize both the work that remains and the genuine progress made toward establishing new fisheries measures and Marine Protected Areas around the Antarctic Peninsula.
While no formal agreement was reached on these issues this year, the meeting revealed that the possibility of consensus is closer than many thought.
"We came into this meeting realistic about what could be achieved in two weeks," said Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine and Chairman of Aker QRILL Company. "What surprised us was how optimism grew as the week progressed. Nations that have been gridlocked for years actually looked like finding common ground. That doesn't happen by accident."
The meeting saw several nations taking joint responsibility for bringing 27 parties together to build consensus on complex proposals. The effort was intense, with development throughout the week right to the very end. While the efforts did not result in immediate agreement, they laid critical groundwork to build on in 2026. What matters now is how we use the next 12 months."
Looking ahead to CCAMLR 2026
Aker remains committed to supporting the Antarctic Peninsula MPA proposal — a measure that would close nearly 70% of the area where the company operates. This would create one of the world's largest marine protected areas
"We're not stepping back," Johansen emphasized. "If anything, this meeting reinforced why this work matters. We'll be working throughout 2026 to help build the consensus needed. When nations gather in Hobart next October, we want the hard work already done – so the meeting is about finalizing, not negotiating from scratch."
"The geopolitical situation hasn't gotten easier," said Pål Skogrand, Chief Policy Officer at Aker QRILL Company. "But the conversations have. The countries present showed they're capable of moving beyond entrenched positions when given the right framework and enough time."
The path to Antarctic protection has never been simple, and this year's meeting confirmed that. But it also confirmed something more important: when industry, NGO’s scientists, and nations work together with genuine intent, progress is possible.