In the Southern Ocean, the waves send curtains of foaming spray 20 meters into the air · John Weller
After a turbulent ship crossing, the ocean surface finally calms to stillness · John Weller
A thin white band emerges on the horizon at the approach of Antarctica · John Weller
An Adélie penguin tracking across pack ice · John Weller
Antarctica effectively has one day and one night each year. At the South Pole, the sun rises in September and sets in March.
The icebergs in Antarctica saw at the sky like jagged teeth · John Weller
Sea stars and anchor ice. The seawater freezes to the subzero rocks, forming fields of stalagmites, the anchor ice · John Weller
Every one of the inhabitants of Antarctica has its own fantastical story.
Emperor penguins are the best avian divers in the world, reaching depths of 600 meters and dive times of 25 minutes · John Weller
Weddell seals are the southernmost breeding mammals in the world, and the only air-breathing animals besides emperor penguins to brave the Antarctic winter.
Weddell seals are barely mobile above water, as they lie on the ice. But below water, they dance and sing · John Weller
We were diving off the coast of Anvers Island—looking for leopard seals. 12 feet long and weighing up to 1,320 lbs, these seals can glide, accelerate, and turn effortlessly. They are one of the continent’s most powerful predators and if somebody had told me beforehand what was going to happen next, I would never have believed them. I had entered the territory of a female leopard seal and she was confused. I had ignored every threat and every warning she gave me—lunging at me again and again in a mock attack with her mouth wide open, showing off her powerful jaw and teeth. So instead, she started bringing me penguins. Every day when I entered the water, she would approach me again and again, presenting me with penguin after penguin. I believe she was trying to help me, to teach me how to hunt. As a photographer, this was the most profound imagery of my life. But as a human being, it had an even deeper effect, because I recognized that this phenomenal creature, who was trying to help me find a meal, was in imminent peril because of us. Because of people.
Paul Nicklen
Co-founder, SeaLegacy & Only One
Today, more than 90 percent of Antarctica’s ice shelves are in rapid retreat · John Weller
The sound was so thunderous that I felt it in my chest before the actual ‘crack.’ My immediate thought was that something serious had broken on the ship, or someone was in danger. You cannot hear a sound like that without assuming its repercussions are life-threatening. But my rising panic was replaced with inexplicable awe as I realized the source of the sound, and the front of the calving ice shelf broke away and rocketed into the Antarctic ocean in front of me. The force was overwhelming, and in that moment was the realization that an amalgamation of so many seemingly tiny ripples had caused such a monumental effect. I have been burdened ever since knowing that this event itself was only a tiny ripple of climate change. I was witnessing a crack in the foundation of our environment, and its ultimate impact on humanity will be tremendous.
Andy Mann
Photographer & filmmaker
“Maps of Antarctica have to be redrawn every year, and if these trends continue, most coastal cities will be underwater in a few centuries.” · John Weller
When we landed, we could see that there was something terribly wrong in the colony. The penguin chicks were soaked, their downy feathers matted to their bodies and streaked with mud. They were shivering, and so did we as we realized the gravity of what we were witnessing. At the wrong time of year, before the chicks have grown their adult feathers, rain or even snow can wipe out entire generations of these birds. It was like photographing a death march.
Cristina Mittermeier
Co-founder, SeaLegacy & Only One
It may be hard to believe, but the actions we take, regardless of where we live, can affect the fate of Antarctica and all the unique species that call it home.
Antarctica and the Southern Ocean help regulate the world’s climate. But Antarctica’s ice is melting, and the processes that allow the Southern Ocean to absorb our emissions are slowing · John Weller
Emperor penguin and ice breaker. Driven by depletion to find the last healthy fish stocks around the world, industry has come again to the Ross Sea, this time with long lines of hooks intended for the Antarctic toothfish · John Weller
In 2002, CCAMLR committed to creating a network of marine protected areas, or MPAs, to safeguard the heart of the Southern Ocean.
“If we are to change our course, we must introduce sweeping changes within the next decade. We must protect ourselves by protecting our environment.” · John Weller
If our history in the Antarctic has taught us anything, it is that we continuously overestimate how much we can exploit and how quickly resources are depleted.
The Ross Sea is the primary range for a distinct population of orcas, known as Type C. Scientists have observed a dramatic decrease in these fish-eating orcas concurrent with the rise of the Ross Sea tooth fishery · John Weller
Prohibiting all fishing activities and extractive industries in a “no-take” MPA can result in a dramatic and rapid rebound · John Weller
We need to open the door to a new age of enlightened ocean conservation—one that is inclusive, global, visionary. And Antarctica holds the key.
“As we enter this new decade, ocean health continues to decline precipitously all over the world. Together, we need to take a stand.” · John Weller
