The vast expanse of ocean between Aotearoa and Australia is brimming with life – tropical fish, whales, deep sea corals and seabirds all find a home here.
But this region, that includes known biodiversity hotspots, the South Tasman Sea and Lord Howe Rise, is under threat. Commercial fishing, pollution, climate change and the threat of deep sea mining are putting all this life at risk.
Together we can protect these vibrant waters. The historic Global Ocean Treaty paves the way for the creation of vast ocean sanctuaries on the high seas. A once in a generation opportunity to protect the world’s oceans.
Greenpeace has flagged the South Tasman Sea and Lord Howe Rise, two linked areas in international waters between Aotearoa and Australia, as an ideal site for one of the world’s first global ocean sanctuaries.
Linked by a chain of underwater mountains that lead to a vast plateau, these ocean areas are home to an absolutely stunning variety of marine life. Humpback whales migrate through these South Pacific waters, resting, feeding and breeding. Cold water and tropical coral reefs thrive, and the diversity of fish and seabirds is remarkable – on a global scale.
You can look at these areas on an interactive map here and see why they need protection.
Now, the New Zealand Government must back the creation of these sanctuaries and ratify the Global Ocean Treaty.
Call on the Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to create new global ocean sanctuaries and protect our blue planet.
