Antarctica's Southern Ocean is the world's last near pristine large marine environment. Not only is it important to New Zealand, as the gateway to the region, it is important to the whole planet.
Teeming with life of all sizes - from krill to colossal squid, Adelie penguins to killer whales, prions to giant albatross - the area is a hotspot for wildlife.
Many species are found nowhere else on the planet.
It is also a critical laboratory for the global study of climate change.
Yet despite it's importance, the region is under increasing threat from over fishing, tourism, shipping, mining and climate change.
Find out more about WWF's global efforts to save the Southern Ocean.
Many species are found nowhere else on the planet.
It is also a critical laboratory for the global study of climate change.
Yet despite it's importance, the region is under increasing threat from over fishing, tourism, shipping, mining and climate change.
Find out more about WWF's global efforts to save the Southern Ocean.
