Ever heard of the Ross Sea? Yeah, probably not. The Ross Sea is located in Antarctica and is considered the last pristine sea on Earth. Mostly untouched by humans, the Ross Sea truly is one of the last places on Earth where the balance of nature is, as it should be. Not only is the Ross Sea abundant with wildlife, including seals, whales, penguins and tons of species of fish and other marine life, but it is also considered a ‘living laboratory’ for its incredible marine ecosystem and inhabitants.
However, like all other precious ecosystems on Earth, the Ross Sea is facing serious threats. Commercial fishing companies are after the Antarctic toothfish which is marketed as "Chilean Sea Bass" (because let’s face it, that sounds more appetizing than ‘toothfish’). But the thing is, toothfish are a keystone species for the Ross Sea ecosystem. A keystone species is one that an ecosystem depends on, and the ecosystem would change drastically if it were removed. Orcas, colossal squid and seals depend on the toothfish for food. If the toothfish are hunted to extinction, those marine species would loose a large food source, and their population would decline greatly. Therefore, the entire Ross Sea ecosystem would completely change, and it will no longer be the last pristine sea untouched by human greed.
But unfortunately, the Ross Sea is already on a decline. Countries like Japan and China claim that hunting the toothfish is essential to feed their large populations. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is an organizational body composed of 25 nations that convene in order to weigh proposals regarding fishing in the Ross Sea with an ecosystem-based management approach, and they have yet to reach a definitive conclusion for the fate of the Ross Sea.
This is a prime example of the tragedy of the commons. Basically, that is the idea that we are all in this together. We all live on this Earth, share the resources, but some take and exploit the communal natural world – letting their own self-interest take precedence over others', and as a result, everyone suffers.
We all rely on the oceans for air, (yes, over 50% of the air we breathe is created by phytoplankton in the ocean) food, medicine and even recreation. Even if you are totally landlocked or have never been to the ocean, you rely on the ocean. We all do! If the oceans die, we will soon after. The Ross Sea is the perfect example to see if we can truly turn this around, start saving the planet and ourselves. This amazing marine ecosystem can also serve as a model and goal for our other oceans!
Check out "The Last Ocean"" film. It’s a really great documentary that dives into the issues the Ross Sea is facing, and it features one of my personal heroes: Dr. Sylvia Earle. Watch the trailer here.
The Ross Sea is in danger, and we all have an obligation to protect the one last place on Earth that the claws of human avarice have yet to reach!
“We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do.” -Sylvia Earle
