Antarctica's marine environment is home to almost 10,000 of the world’s most unique species, including seals, penguins, colossal squid and sea birds. The Southern Ocean truly belongs to all of us on this planet however there are still some countries that want the rights to fish and hunt and even kill whales in this area.

Of the countries who want to continue fishing in these waters, it is primarily for two species: a top predator species, the Antarctic toothfish, and krill, a tiny shrimp-like species that is increasingly sought after for fish oil supplements and uses such as aqua-culture.

There is less than 100 days to go until the body that regulates Antarctica’s marine environment meets to decide what is protected and what is left open for commercial exploitation.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) will meet in late October to decide what areas in the Southern Ocean will be protected. This organization is made up of 24 countries plus the European Union. CCAMLR will meet behind closed doors with no media access.

The purpose of this closed meeting is to be a consensus body, however the meeting is sure to see a struggle between those who would like to protect the region, and those who would like to see industrial activities increase. How it will turn out is far from certain.