Parks & Reserves: Ross Sea MPA

"The Ross Sea is one of the most-studied ocean ecosystems in Antarctica, and an important living laboratory for south polar research. The Ross Sea Shelf is one of the most productive parts of the Southern Ocean, supporting more than 30% of the world’s Adélie penguins, around 30% of the Antarctic petrels, half the Ross Sea orcas and one quarter of all emperor penguins. More than half of the world’s South Pacific Weddell seals live there year round. The Ross Sea also contains breeding grounds and habitats for Antarctic toothfish, rare and vulnerable benthic species, such as unique sponges that can live for 500 years, and other areas important for ecosystem integrity." In 2016, The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area was officially created. "The decision was unanimously supported by representatives of 24 countries and the European Union, and is a great achievement for the protection of the Southern Ocean. "The Ross Sea Region MPA covers a surface area of 600,000 square miles (1.55 million square kilometers), more than three times the size of California."