Greenpeace project is part of mission to create massive Antarctic sanctuary.
A crew of scientists on a mission for Greenpeace have surfaced with astounding first-ever photos from the depths of the Antarctic Ocean showing surprisingly diverse and abundant life even in the frigid dark.
The mission, involving state-of-the-art submersibles launched from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise aims to discover new life, gather data and help develop a love and appreciation for the water planet’s Antarctic Ocean. Its key goal is to build support to create the largest protected area in the world: a 700,000-square-mile Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary where industrial fishing would be banned. The need is dire, with the Antarctic Peninsula warming faster than any other place on Earth. The international Antarctic Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources will consider creating the sanctuary when it meets in Australia in October.
“Stranger Things” star David Harbour got in on the action last month when he asked Greenpeace how many penguin retweets it would take to catch a ride on in the Antarctic Ocean. Greenpeace told him he’d get his ride with 200,000 — and he did.
Hmm, if you get over 200k we’ll ask the Captain if you can join our expedition to the Antarctic and dance with the penguins. #StrangerThings have happened https://t.co/qT78aIcKOw pic.twitter.com/LmmLceE17J
— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) January 22, 2018
Harbour and “Fantastic Beasts” star Alison Sudol are now on board the Arctic Sunrise. Harbour actually does plans on dancing with penquins, and Greenpeace has promised to film it when he does.
Initially “nervous” actor Javier Bardem already made the trip down under last month, reported mini-sub pilot and marine biologist John Hocevar.
The real stars — sea stars, brittle stars, sun stars, feather stars, bright red sea stars, and basket stars — are already in the ocean.
Greenpeace is on a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives, to highlight the urgent need for the creation of a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. Key findings from the footage and samples gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) to establish localised protections as well as to strengthen this and other upcoming proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.
Greenpeace is on a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives, to highlight the urgent need for the creation of a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. Key findings from the footage and samples gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) to establish localised protections as well as to strengthen this and other upcoming proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.
While it’s too cold for most fish, crocodile ice fish survive because they have a kind of antifreeze in their blood:
Check out these other shots of the ocean seabed:
And above the water:
