At the meeting between 26 member countries, proposals to establish new marine protected areas and revise catch limits for krill are rejected, while existing krill management measures are rolled back. Australia says it's a "backwards step", putting the Antarctic ecosystem at risk.

Australia has described the outcome of a meeting between members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources as a “backwards step”.

Attendees said Russia and China vetoed all proposed measures, including one to renew existing krill management measures.

Conservationists say member countries should regroup and figure out how to tackle Russia and China ahead of the next meeting in 2025.