Save the Last Ocean New Zealand led the way into this fishery and New Zealand should lead the way out.

Each year in November the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) gathers in Hobart, Australia to discuss a joint proposal from New Zealand and the USA for a marine protected area in the Ross Sea. As New Zealand plays a key role in these discussions, you may like to send a message to our Prime Minister. ------- Send a message to Prime Minister John Key

Hon John Key Rt. Hon. John Key - Prime Minister Your Email Address: * Name: * Address 1: * City: * * Message I am writing to ask for your support in protecting the Ross Sea, Antarctica, the most pristine marine ecosystem on Earth (1). The Ross Sea is the most biologically productive marine habitat in the Southern Ocean, and home to many rare and unique animals. The ecosystem is regarded as a ‘living laboratory’ providing scientists with one of the last opportunities to understand how a healthy marine ecosystem functions. The natural balance of the Ross Sea ecosystem is now under threat from commercial fishing. Since 1996 the New Zealand Government has endorsed fishing for Antarctic toothfish in the Ross Sea, despite little being known about the life cycle of toothfish or the impact fishing is having on the ecosystem. As the Ross Sea’s nearest neighbour, New Zealand has a responsibility to care for this special part of the world. I urge you, in your official capacity, to support the protection of the Ross Sea ecosystem by endorsing the establishment of a comprehensive no take Marine Protected Area that includes the entire Ross Sea continental shelf and slope. Yours sincerely, (1) Halpern et al. (2008) A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science 319: 948. Name for letter signature *

