Mapping habitat in the Southern Ocean
01 Nov 2006
Ecological zones across the entire Southern Ocean have been defined for the first time in an effort to provide a scientific foundation for improving fisheries management and tackling the leading threats to marine habitats and wildlife, such as climate change and the impacts of invasive species.
Scientists from around the world gathered in Hobart in October to create the map, which forms part of a report launched jointly by WWF-Australia, the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC) and Antarctic expedition cruise operator Peregrine Adventures.
It is the first time an entire ocean - representing about 10% of the world's ocean surface - has been mapped for its ecological zones, and will assist in understanding the locations and distribution of different Antarctic marine ecosystems.
The report, entitled Bioregionalisation of the Southern Ocean, has important ramifications for how conservation issues will be managed in the Southern Ocean and will provide a scientific foundation for protecting sensitive Antarctic marine habitats and wildlife.
Information on the physical characteristics of the ocean, such as depth, temperature, currents and the formation of sea ice, was used to distinguish between different types of environments, and to help understand where different animals - ranging from plankton to whales - might live.
"This map will help us better understand the Southern Ocean so that we can address the major threats to its habitats and wildlife, such as illegal fishing, climate change, and the impact of invasive marine species," said Dr Gilly Llewellyn, WWF's Program Leader for Oceans.
"The area mapped represents about 10% of the world's ocean surface and will provide the basis for improving fisheries management and the wider management of the Southern Ocean's flora and fauna, and ultimately identifying areas of sea requiring protection."
Kerry Lorimer from Peregrine Adventures said the Antarctic cruise operator funded the report through donations from passengers and staff on board the company's Antarctic voyages.
"In line with the company's sustainable tourism policy, Peregrine sponsored the report in the belief that it provides a foundation for the understanding, conservation and long-term management of Antarctica's natural resources."
The report was launched today to coincide with the 25th anniversary meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at its headquarters in Hobart.
CCAMLR meets each year to discuss the management of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters, which face increasing threats from illegal and unregulated fishing, climate change, and invasive species.
The organisation has been praised as one of the most progressive fisheries management organisations in the world.
It recently introduced measures to encourage less destructive fishing techniques that have reduced seabird by-catch by 90%. Long-line fishing has been a major contributor to the critically endangered status of some albatross species and the high mortality of other seabirds.
Denzil Miller, Executive Secretary of CCAMLR, strongly welcomed the report and said it would make a significant contribution to CCAMLR's conservation work.
"This report will help us in our continuing work to develop new approaches for the conservation and management of living resources in the Southern Ocean."
Find out more
Charlie Stevens, Press Officer, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1274
Mobile: 0424 649 689
Email: cstevens@wwf.org.au
Dr Gilly Llewellyn, Oceans Program Leader, WWF-Australia
Mobile: 0406 380 801
Kerry Lorimer, Communications, Peregrine Adventures
Phone: 0411 550 329
