Trust Magazine
Emperor Penguins in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean
The big picture
Emperor penguins dive off an ice shelf into Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, one of the least-altered marine ecosystems on Earth. These waters are home to thousands of species found nowhere else and are vital to the health of the planet, producing strong upwelling currents that carry critical nutrients north of the equator and play a role in regulating the climate. To protect this unique and critical region, Pew is working with partners to encourage the adoption of ecosystem-based fisheries management practices and establish a network of large-scale marine protected areas around Antarctica.