Australia and European Union push for east Antarctic marine sanctuary

A proposed sanctuary to protect reefs and marine life off east Antarctica was knocked back last year by nations including China and Russia

Australia will push for a million square kilometres of the Antarctic ocean to be protected as a marine sanctuary at an international forum in Hobart this week.

Bids to preserve a large area of pristine ocean off east Antarctica have struck opposition in the past, including at last year's meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, where China, Russia and Norway played a part in blocking the proposal.