The French Austral Lands and Seas Biodiversity haven in the Southern Ocean

The French Austral Lands and Seas, encompassing the Crozet Archipelago, Kerguelen Islands, and Saint-Paul and Amsterdam islands, were inscribed as the 50th marine World Heritage Site in 2019. This recognition highlights their exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance in the Southern Ocean. The region, administered by the Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (TAAF), serves as a critical haven for conservation, research, and sustainable fisheries management. Spanning between the 37th and 50th southern parallels, these territories support unique ecosystems that thrive in the harsh conditions of the southern Indian Ocean, underscoring their global importance for biodiversity preservation.

(Ed.). (2020). The French Austral Lands and Seas Biodiversity haven in the Southern Ocean. World Heritage Review, 2020(96), 24–29. https://doi.org/10.18356/27887138-2020-96-3