A lot of wildlife, such as these sea lions rely on the antarctic food web. Creating a sanctuary would protect against over-fishing by industrial fishing fleets. Photo by Andy Luck. More images of marine life on the Water Gallery on wildopeneye.com
Wildopeneye supports the Antarctic Marine Sanctuary petition. Please write in to help secure 6 million square kilometers of precious Antarctic wildlife habitat. The Antarctic food web extends far north and is crucially important for biodiversity beyond the area proposed for protection.
Here’s the Avaaz appeal by Leonardo Dicaprio
Dear friends,
I’m writing to ask for your help. Within days, governments could begin turning wide stretches of the Antarctic ocean into the world’s largest marine sanctuary, saving the habitat of whales, penguins, and thousands of other polar species from industrial fishing fleets.
But they won’t act unless we speak out now.
Most countries support the sanctuary, but Russia, South Korea and a few others are threatening to vote it down so they can plunder these seas now that others have been fished to death. This week, a small group of negotiators will meet behind closed doors to make a decision. A massive people-powered surge could break open the talks, isolate those attempting to block the sanctuary, and secure a deal to protect over 6 million square kilometers of the precious Antarctic ocean.
The whales and penguins can’t speak for themselves, so it’s up to us to defend them. Let’s change negotiators’ minds with a massive wave of public pressure — Avaaz will surround the meeting with hard-hitting ads, and together we’ll deliver our message to delegates via a deafening cry on social networks. Sign this urgent petition and share it with everyone you know:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_southern_ocean_5/?tRtQCab
More than 10,000 species call these remote Antarctic waters their home, including blue whales, leopard seals, and emperor penguins, and many are found nowhere else on Earth. Climate change has already taken a cruel toll on their fragile habitat, but they will come under further threat from the industrial fishing fleet’s mile-long nets cast over these precious waters. Only a marine sanctuary will increase their odds for survival.
The 25-member governing body that regulates the Antarctic oceans has already committed to creating these marine protected areas. But the two plans being negotiated — one to protect part of the fragile Ross Sea and one for East Antarctica — are at risk of dilution or delay. Shockingly, the talks have been off the media’s radar and countries like Russia and South Korea are betting their opposition will go unnoticed, but if we cast a public spotlight on the talks we can force them to back off, and encourage champions like the US and EU to push for even stronger protections.
The future of the Southern ocean is in our hands. Let’s unleash a massive surge of global pressure and ensure governments don’t put profits before our planet. Please sign and share this petition with everyone you know:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_southern_ocean_5/?tRtQCab
The Avaaz community has come together time and time again to protect our oceans. We’ve already helped win two of the largest marine reserves in the world. But the threats to our oceans continue, and one by one species are coming closer to the brink. Join me in saving the Antarctic ocean before it’s too late.
With hope,
Leonardo DiCaprio, with the Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION
Protect Antarctic waters before it’s too late, says environment coalition (The Guardian):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/22/protect-antarctic-watersAlliance Seeks Vast Marine Reserves in Antarctic (New York Times):
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/alliance-seeks-vast-marine-reserves-in-antarctic/Milestone discussions on marine protected areas in Antarctica scheduled for CCAMLR’s 31st annual meetings in Hobart (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources):
http://www.ccamlr.org/en/news/2012/milestone-discussions-marine-protected-areas-antarctica-scheduled-ccamlr%E2%80%99s-31st-annualAntarctic oceans are under threat (Antarctic Ocean Alliance):
http://antarcticocean.org/whats-at-stake.php
The Wealth of a Nation
By Eugene John O’Connor
Self determination, our forefathers cry;
For their natural resources, did fight and did die.
Entrusting our wealth to a new generation,
Then given away by the Dail of our nation.
For structural funds and votes to secure;
Foreign ships blunder our seas, up to the shore.
Fishing no limits, in billions they take.
Our native industry, drowns in their wake.
Paper work farmers, now Brussels provides;
On Subsidy payments, our farming survives.
No stock in the fields or crop cultivation,
More quotas and levies, milking our nation.
Energy to harvest by land and by sea;
Mineral wealth in our geology.
Invest in our future, but none they will make;
Our political leaders prefer bribes and taxes to take.
As the fish in our seas, now the waves in our air
By digital licence will soon disappear
Talk is cheap, until it’s given away;
For corporate profits, we all must pay.
Jobs for the boys, but none for the men
As parents cry for their children again.
The wealth of a nation, in departures queue,
While our natural resources profits the few