ANTARCTICA
ANTARCTICA
Icy waters teeming with penguins and pods of killer whalesswirling clouds of krill and majestic humpback whales – the oceans surrounding Antarctica are some of the most pristine and productive in the world.
Howeverits incredible biodiversity is threatened by climate changeand increased fishing and marine pollution.
About Antarctica
Why it matters
Antarctica is much more than just an icy pole for our planet – it is vital for our survival too.
Antarctica helps regulate our planet’s temperature and oceans
Antarctica plays a significant role in maintaining the planet’s heat balance. Ice being much more reflective than land or waterthe massive Antarctic ice sheet helps deflect some of the sun’s rays away from the Earthkeeping temperatures liveable.
The waters around Antarctica also play a significant role in the ‘ocean conveyor belt’. Its cold and incredibly dense waters forces warmer water to rise or upwell. This upwelling is so strong it moves water across the entire planet. Without itEarth’s waters would become imbalanced and struggle to circulate efficiently.
Antarctic krill are carbon-storing powerhouses and the cornerstone of the Antarctic food web
Antarctica’s waters are also home to one of the most fundamental species to the Antarctic food web – the Antarctic krill. These shrimp-like creatures are the primary food source for countless speciesincluding penguinssealsand whales. To top it offAntarctic krill are carbon-storing powerhouses – with reports revealing that krill in the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea have the capacity to sink 23 megatonnes of carbon annually. In fact we are only just learning about the potential role krill play in climate change.
Countless wildlife depend on Antarctica’s water for survival
Of the world's 18 penguin specieshalf are found only within the Southern Ocean. Antarctica’s waters also provide critical habitat and feeding grounds for 80-90% of the world's whale speciesincluding the humpback whalewhich is only now recovering from being hunted to the brink of extinction.
Threats
Global warming
Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to the region. Some parts of Antarctica are experiencing significant ice retreatincluding the collapse of ice shelves along the Antarctic Peninsulawhile other areas are increasing. If our climate continues to warm and acidify the Southern oceanscientists predict that krill populations could be devastatedundermining the entire food chain.
Increased fishing pressure and illegal fishing
As global fisheries become depletedthere is growing interest to expand fishing throughout the region. In particularkrill fishing needs to be closely monitored and controlled to ensure whalespenguins and other wildlife are protected. Illegalunregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing also threatens fish stocks in some areas of the Southern Ocean and thereby the seabirds and marine mammals that depend upon them. The harmful fishing methods used by IUU fishing vessels also cause the direct deaths of countless seabirds.
Marine pollution
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been measured around Antarctica and detected in wildlife. Microplastics are emerging as a threat in the region. Increasing quantities of plastic are washing up on the Antarctic coastline and subantarctic islands.
Invasive species
Many Antarctic species have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. Consequentlythey have developed no means of defending themselves from the invasive species carried aboard ships. WWF catalysed and helped fund the removal of rabbits from Macquarie Island and is now helping to remove mice from the Antipodes Islands.
What we're doing
Protecting Antarctic giants
By partnering with First Peoplesgovernmentsindustry and coastal communities to achieve impact at scale to protect seascapes and Saltwater Country.
Safeguarding blue corridors to protect existing whale populations and connect their critical habitats and migration corridors.
By increasing localregionalfederal and global-level advocacy to enable more robust frameworks and calling on the Australian Government to play their part in protecting whales – within Australia and its surrounding waters such as the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
