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Thirty Three thirty three (*and whose homes must be protected) www.antarcticocean.org Image by John B. Weller introduction Simply put, the oceans are our life support system. unusual species that thrive in this harsh but beautiful They are the blue heart of the planet. But despite environment. Protecting these magnifcent creatures and this, we have witnessed the ocean undergo massive their home is critical for the knowledge base we need. changes in just the last 50 years. Overfshing has reduced thriving populations of big fsh to tiny The 33 species profled here are a small sample of remnants of their formerly prosperous masses. the many that live in the Southern Ocean. Each one Dead zones incapable of supporting marine life have matters, whether beautiful or ugly, large or small, arisen in some places around the world and climate predator or prey. Antarctica is known for its iconic change is placing ever increasing stresses on marine penguins, seals, and whales, but its other species species and habitats. It is not only marine life that are just as interesting. From coral that can pick itself has been affected: even the water itself has begun up and move across the ocean foor in search of to acidify because of rising carbon dioxide levels in food to a squid that has the largest eye of any known the atmosphere. animal, Antarctica’s ecosystems have a richness and complexity that we are only beginning to appreciate. Despite these and other problems, there is still hope New species are discovered regularly. Perhaps most that we can restore and protect the health of the ocean. important, some areas of the Southern Ocean, like This hope led to the identifcation of a global network the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea, have been found of Hope Spots, special places that can help restore to have some of the lowest levels of disturbance the ocean we depend on for our survival. Two of those of any marine ecosystems. These areas serve as Hope Spots, the Ross Sea and East Antarctica, are in natural laboratories where we can learn how healthy the Southern Ocean. This is a special area of the world, ecosystems function, and how species within them where the continent is protected, but the surrounding interact, without human interference – something that ocean is not. Nevertheless, the Antarctic remains a is sadly no longer possible in most of the world. This place of vibrant marine life, and every year scientists is one of the best areas for us to continue to learn the learn more fascinating details about the diverse and nature of nature. Page 2 33 Antarctic Species We Love* (*and whose homes must be protected) We therefore have an important opportunity to resilience to a changing climate. MPAs can also serve protect these ecosystems while they are healthy. a very important function as reference areas where Antarctica has some of the largest marine mammal we can measure climate change impacts without the and seabird populations left on the planet. Some of infuence of other human activities, such as pollution those species are at serious risk from climate change, and overfshing. as warming temperatures reduce the availability of food and change their habitat. Others may have The organisation that has authority over the Southern trouble surviving as ocean acidifcation, which will Ocean, the Commission for the Conservation of affect the polar regions frst, takes hold in large areas. Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has While we know little about many Antarctic animals, taken a bold step in ocean conservation by declaring we do know that they have often evolved to be slow- its intent to create the world’s frst high-seas MPA growing, with adaptations that suit them for extreme system around Antarctica. Most of the ocean is cold conditions. Many may not be able to tolerate beyond national borders, and if the nations that make warmer temperatures and increased human impacts. up CCAMLR succeed in designating a full system If we don’t want to lose these creatures before we of MPAs, they will have accomplished something even have the chance to study them, we must take extraordinary and leave a lasting legacy for our action now. grandchildren and beyond. Years ago when CCAMLR was created, its members These areas serve as natural declared that it would manage fsheries with a laboratories where we can precautionary, ecosystem-based approach. The MPA learn how healthy ecosystems network is entirely consistent with this approach and the next logical step in protecting Antarctica’s diverse function, and how species within and irreplaceable ecosystems for future generations. them interact, without human CCAMLR has been debating proposals for MPAs in the Ross Sea and East Antarctica for several interference – something that is years now. sadly no longer possible in most This report underpins the urgency for these nations to of the world. This is one of the live up to their commitments and demonstrate their best areas for us to continue to global leadership by designating the proposed MPAs at their 2014 meeting. Doing so would show the world learn the nature of nature. that it is possible for nations to come together, put aside their individual issues and do the right thing Climate change is likely to be the main threat to for the ocean and all the people who depend on it Antarctic species over the next century, but as for survival. other human activities such as tourism, shipping, bioprospecting, and fshing increase, additional strain will be placed on these ecosystems. Fishing lines, trash and plastic can inadvertently damage delicate seafoor creatures. Invasive species may take advantage of warmer temperatures and crowd out native species unable to adapt quickly. Oil degrades much slower under cold temperatures. Singularly and collectively, these threats are placing increased stress on the marine life of the Southern Ocean. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and no-take marine reserves cannot stop climate change, but they can help limit the number of stressors in a given area. In addition to protecting unique areas that may not be found anywhere else in the world and increasing their Antarctic Ocean Alliance Page 3 19 Areas of Proposed Protection In 2011, the Antarctic Ocean Alliance (AOA) on the unique ecological balance found in the identifed 19 areas that should be included in a beautiful yet harsh Southern Ocean environment. It representative system of marine protected areas is CCAMLR’s mission to ensure that this balance is and marine reserves. As CCAMLR meets for its 33rd maintained. For some of the species in the report, meeting, the 33 species presented in this report where appropriate, we have provided information broadly represent those that should be protected. about the relevant taxonomic group to which they Many species have extensive, even circumpolar belong rather than just information on the individual distributions, while others can only be found within species. While mammals and birds have been fairly a limited geographic range and nowhere else in the well studied, many fsh and invertebrates have not. world. The adaptations that allow these species to By profling an entire group of related species, we survive and thrive are as varied and different as their can provide more fascinating facts and information survival strategies, size and appearance. However, and further understanding of some of the less well- what these species all share, from the giant blue known groups. whale to miniscule zooplankton, is a dependence 1 Antarctic Peninsula 4 South Georgia 8 Ob & Lena Banks t Antarctic krill are considered t Members of the icefsh family t Skates are common bycatch central to the functioning of the are almost entirely lacking in species listed as near Southern Ocean food-web but haemoglobin in their blood threatened by the IUCN may be particularly sensitive to t Salps’ faeces may play an t Blue Whales are recovering a changing climate important role in transporting from hunting much more slowly t Bone worms have only been nutrients to the deep sea than other whale species known in the Southern Ocean since 2012 5 South Sandwich Island Arc 9 Del Cano Region High Seas t Climate change reference area t The Yeti crab is a common t Wandering albatross has the species around hydrothermal largest wingspan of any bird 2 Weddell Sea vent communities in volcanically t High levels of land-based t Leopard seals are one of active zones predators Southern Ocean’s most t More species of sea spiders t Benthic environment including fearsome predators may exist in the Southern seamounts and canyons t Glass sponges have quickly Ocean than warmer oceans colonised areas following ice 10 Kerguelen Plateau High 6 Maud Rise shelf collapse Seas Area t Antarctic petrel are the most t Lanternfsh use 3 South Orkney Islands southerly breeding bird in bioluminescence to t Marbled rockcod populations the world communicate and confuse have still not recovered from t Copepods could be the most predators overfshing in the 1970’s numerous type of zooplankton t Orcas are the highest predator t High benthic biodiversity in the Southern Ocean on the Southern Ocean t The Scotia Sea around the foodchain 7 Bouvetøya South Orkneys have some t Recovering toothfsh t Chinstrap penguin numbers of the highest numbers of populations appear to be declining Echinoderm species t Vulnerable marine ecosystems t Eel cods resemble eels but and canyons have antifreeze proteins in their blood like toothfsh Page 4 33 Antarctic Species We Love* (*and whose homes must be protected) Namibia South Africa 11
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