Green Options » Southern Ocean

1st High Seas Marine Protected Area in Southern Ocean — More Diverse than Galapagos Islands

Zachary Shahan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:45:21 +0000

Fishing and refuse disposal are to be banned in the 1st high seas Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Southern Ocean, an area of the ocean that contains more species than the Galapagos Islands.

This will allow scientists to monitor the effects of climate change in this region. This is only the first of possibly twelve such areas.

Green Algae Bloom Process Could Stop Global Warming

Andrew Williams — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:08:40 +0000

A team of UK scientists have discovered a natural process that could delay, or even end, the threat of global warming.

The researchers, aboard the Royal Navy’s HMS Endurance, have found that melting icebergs off the coast of Antarctica are releasing millions of tiny particles of iron into the southern Ocean, helping to create huge ‘blooms’ of algae that absorb carbon emissions. The algae then sinks to the icy depths, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere for hundreds of years.

According to lead researcher, Prof. Rob Raiswell of Leeds University, “The Earth itself seems to want to save us.”

Sea Shepherd Activists Spray Whaling Ship With Rotten Butter

Andrew Williams — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:43:47 +0000

Anti-whaling activists aboard the Sea Shepherd vessel ‘Steve Irwin’ have covered a whaling ship with a smelly cocktail of rotten butter, methyl cellulose and indelible dye.

The unconventional sliming operation was carried out in a bid to intimidate the Japanese whaler, Kaiko Maru, into moving out of Australian Antarctic territorial waters. According to Peter Hammarstedt, the Sea Shepherd’s second officer, “this is one stinky, slippery ship.”

274 New Marine Species Discovered in Southern Ocean

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:07:38 +0000

Australian scientists have discovered 274 fish, ancient corals, molluscs, crustaceans and sponges in uncharted depths of the Southern Ocean. According to the Sydney Morning Herald:

The astounding discoveries of creatures never thought to have existed were found in waters up to 3,000 metres deep, among scores of extinct volcanoes whose great mountains and canyons provide vital, thriving habitats.

Image: Wikimedia Commons