On the role and function of non-governmental organizations in Antarctic governance from the perspectives of Antarctic marine protected areas and Antarctic krill fishery

Since the promotion of Antarctic governance, particularly the establishment of Antarctic Marine Protection Areas (AMPAs), involves diverse factors, the roles and functioning of parties are differed in those processes. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as multiple actors in Antarctic governance, have significant effected on the promotion of AMPAs with their ability in providing scientific data, active participation and public attention. The role of NGOs in Antarctic governance has influenced, to some extent, the promotion of AMPAs and the effective management of Antarctic krill fishery. By analyzing the works of four NGOs, including the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies (ARK), the Pew Charitable Trusts (PEW) and the Oceanites, to explore their roles in the promotion of AMPAs and Antarctic krill fishery management. At present, China can enrich China Antarctic scientific research database by using multi-party data, use NGOs to tell China's stories within its legal framework. The government and NGOs interact to form a virtuous cycle to improve the scientific nature of AMPAs research and Antarctic krill fishery management, thus improving the overall level of Antarctic governance and contributing China wisdom to the protection of the Antarctic ecological environment.