THE ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA
is the last intact marine ecosystem on earth
It's a living laboratory, providing our last chance to study and understand how a healthy marine ecosystem functions. But the natural balance of it's ecosystem is now under threat. An international fishing fleet is targeting Antarctic toothfish, sold as "Chilean sea bass" in up-market restaurants around the world.
There is still a chance to protect the Ross Sea. The international body providing governance for the waters around Antarctica has made a commitment to designate a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012. This organisation is composed of 25 member nations, including New Zealand and the United States.
The Last Ocean endorses the establishment of a comprehensive no-take Marine Protected Area for the Ross Sea. We would like New Zealand, as the instigator of fishing in the Ross Sea, to lead by example - to phase out commercial fishing and encourage other member nations to do the same.
Please sign the petition here
There is also a link to The Last Ocean Blog which also makes for interesting reading and some stunning photography.
This wilderness is so ecologically important on a global level that if protection of it is affected, this will have huge implications for many many generations to come. We also know that a number of countries including China and Korea to name only a few are looking to take advantage of the mineral reserves and have set up bases for exploration, hoping that the re-negotiation of the moratorium on mining in Antarctica in 2041 will work in their favour.
We have a chance to do our bit to help protection of this area.
is the last intact marine ecosystem on earth
It's a living laboratory, providing our last chance to study and understand how a healthy marine ecosystem functions. But the natural balance of it's ecosystem is now under threat. An international fishing fleet is targeting Antarctic toothfish, sold as "Chilean sea bass" in up-market restaurants around the world.
There is still a chance to protect the Ross Sea. The international body providing governance for the waters around Antarctica has made a commitment to designate a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012. This organisation is composed of 25 member nations, including New Zealand and the United States.
The Last Ocean endorses the establishment of a comprehensive no-take Marine Protected Area for the Ross Sea. We would like New Zealand, as the instigator of fishing in the Ross Sea, to lead by example - to phase out commercial fishing and encourage other member nations to do the same.
Please sign the petition here
There is also a link to The Last Ocean Blog which also makes for interesting reading and some stunning photography.
This wilderness is so ecologically important on a global level that if protection of it is affected, this will have huge implications for many many generations to come. We also know that a number of countries including China and Korea to name only a few are looking to take advantage of the mineral reserves and have set up bases for exploration, hoping that the re-negotiation of the moratorium on mining in Antarctica in 2041 will work in their favour.
We have a chance to do our bit to help protection of this area.