Mountains, canyons, plains — these geological features are not only present on land, but also under the sea, where scientists have now charted them in incredible detail in the ocean surrounding Antarctica. The five-year project mapped 18.5 million square miles, and even revealed a new deepest point in the Southern Ocean, a depression lying 7,432 meters (24,383 feet) below sea level called the Factorian Deep. This study and others like it around the world are filling major scientific gaps in our understanding of what the ocean floor looks like, a key part of knowing how to foster ocean health. More mapping also enables us to make an even stronger science-backed case for marine protected areas. If you want to turn this positive progress into action, you can join us today as we call on world leaders to protect Antarctica and secure the largest act of ocean protection in history. We’re close to reaching our goal of 250,000 petition signatures!
Update: Following the Bill’s second reading in Parliament, recently released government documents show that officials ignored warnings from experts that said allowing commercial fishing in Hauraki Gulf protection areas would "undermine biodiversity outcomes" and "create significant equity issues.” New Zealand friends — take your advocacy a step further by sending a direct message to NZ leaders and demand they withdraw the harmful, last-minute amendment to ensure the Gulf is properly protected, not further damaged. WWF-New Zealand has written a template message that you can personalize and send directly to decision-makers using our email tool.
Add your name to the open letter urging New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to reverse the rash, last-minute decision to allow harmful commercial fishing in high protection areas in the treasured Hauraki Gulf.
The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana is on the brink of ecological collapse.
Overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and the effects of poorly planned urban development have led to a 57% decline in key fish stocks, a 67% decline in seabirds, and a 97% decline in whales and dolphins in the Gulf. Scallop and crayfish populations are functionally extinct in some areas.
The creation of new marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Hauraki Gulf is critical to protecting and restoring its environment, while also supporting the communities and industries that depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill seeks to extend 2 marine reserves and establish 5 new seafloor protection areas and 12 high protection areas in the Hauraki Gulf, acknowledging customary rights within seafloor protection areas and high protection areas.
The Bill is the result of years of collaborative work between tangata whenua, environmental groups, commercial and recreational fishers and others involved in the SeaChange process that began in 2013.
In June, the Environment Select Committee unanimously agreed to advance the Bill, with no substantive changes to the high protection areas.
Now, the future of Hauraki Gulf is at risk because the Government has made the decision to amend the Bill to allow a type of fishing known as ring-netting to take place in the new high protection areas — zones explicitly designed to exclude both commercial and recreational fishing and provide a safe haven for marine life to recover.
Allowing commercial fishing to occur in these high protection areas completely undermines the purpose of the Bill — to restore the health and mauri of the Gulf — ultimately depriving future generations of the ability to enjoy this treasured place.
Sign our open letter calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to reverse this rash, last-minute change to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill.
