---
title: "Ukraine creates a new protected area in Antarctica: protecting penguins and petrels"
description: "Ukraine has created a new protected area \"Collins Bay\" in Antarctica 🇺🇦🐧. The initiative was supported by all countries of the Antarctic Treaty to protect penguins and snow petrels from climate change and tourism. This is the first step in the implementation of a large-scale conservation project by Ukrainian scientists."
date: 2026-06-11T08:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-creates-new-protected-area-in-antarctica-en
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine creates a new protected area in Antarctica: protecting penguins and petrels

![Ice channel in Antarctica, part of Ukraine's new protected area for penguins and albatrosses](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/11/ukraina-sozdala-novuyu-zapovednuyu-zonu-v-antarktike/ukraina-sozdala-novuyu-zapovednuyu-zonu-v-antarktike-1.webp)

In Antarctica, near the Ukrainian scientific station "Academician Vernadsky", a new specially protected area has been officially established — "Collins Bay". This decision was the result of successful diplomatic and scientific work by Ukrainian specialists, who managed to convince the international community of the need to protect unique polar ecosystems.

The initiative to create a protected area was unanimously supported by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty as early as May of this year. This is reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC).

### Unique nature under protection

The new specially protected area combines a number of islands and capes where rare flora and fauna inhabit. Unlike sub-Antarctic species, the populations here are particularly vulnerable to climate warming. Among the key inhabitants of the territory are Adélie penguins, whose colonies require strict control.

Of particular value to science are the only known snow petrel nests in this region. Preserving their habitats became one of the main priorities when delineating the boundaries of the reserve.

### Fighting tourism pressure

The creation of "Collins Bay" is a response to the growing anthropogenic impact on the fragile ecosystems of the continent. According to the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, in the 2020s, the number of tourists visiting the region exceeded 100,000 people per year. At the same time, about 98% of all trips are concentrated in the Antarctic Peninsula area during the short summer season.

The growth of shipping and the influx of visitors create serious risks for wildlife. That is why NASC emphasizes the importance of creating zones where access will be restricted to minimize human impact on natural processes.

### Scientific mission and long-term monitoring

In addition to the conservation function, the new area has critically important scientific significance. Ukrainian researchers have laid out control sites on the territory for long-term monitoring of the reaction of flora and fauna to climate change. A reliable, inviolable research space will allow obtaining comparative data necessary to understand the rates and mechanisms of ecosystem transformation in the polar region.

"Ukraine has made a significant contribution to the study and, most importantly, the preservation of vulnerable ecosystems of Antarctica," noted at NASC.

### Project history: from idea to implementation

The idea of creating a protected territory in this area arose among Ukrainian scientists seven years ago. The project of the comprehensive Antarctic specially protected area (ASPA) and the necessary documents were prepared by the Head of the Department of Biology and Ecology of NASC, Ivan Parnikoza, and an employee of this department, Anna Yevchun. The presentation of documents and lobbying for their consideration during meetings of the parties to the Antarctic Treaty was taken on by the Head of the Department of International Cooperation, Andrey Fedchuk.

The path to implementation was not simple. Unfortunately, some countries blocked the creation of an expanded area, so specialists had to go the way of gradually creating smaller zones. "Collins Bay", approved this year, became the first step in this strategy.