Penguins pop up across the globe in march for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary, as landmark expedition begins

Publication date: 15th January 2018

London, 15 January 2018 – As a groundbreaking expedition begins in the Antarctic, pop-up penguins have been spotted from London to Seoul, Buenos Aires to Sydney, and Johannesburg to Washington DC, marching for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. [1]

The striking geometric sculptures have appeared by national landmarks across the globe, on local transport, and travelling to the Antarctic with suitcases in hand, including by the White House, Buenos Aires’ colourful Boca district, Sydney Opera House, and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. [See here for the full collection.]

The penguins are part of a new Greenpeace campaign calling for the creation of the largest protected area on earth: a 1.8 million square kilometre ocean sanctuary in the Antarctic. “This sanctuary would be a safe haven for penguins, whales and seals, and put the waters off-limits to the industrial fishing vessels sucking up the tiny shrimp-like krill on which Antarctic life relies,” said Frida Bengtsson, head of Greenpeace’s new Protect The Antarctic campaign.

The ship’s crew will undertake pioneering scientific research in submarines, document the area’s unique wildlife which is facing pressures from climate change, overfishing and pollution, and gather evidence of the urgent need for governments to create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.

The expedition will see the first humans ever to visit the seafloor in the Weddell Sea, which is the subject of an EU proposal for an ocean sanctuary to be considered by the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) in October 2018. Antarctic scientists will conduct research to identify  Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and new species on the seabed including rare corals and sponges. This would provide further evidence for the need for comprehensive protection of the area. The crew will also undertake water sampling to identify the presence of any plastic pollution in this remote region.

Dr Susanne Lockhart, a renowned Antarctic specialist with the California Academy of Sciences is joining the expedition’s dives to the seafloor:

“The first steps have finally been taken by those entrusted to govern the Antarctic Ocean to protect one of the world’s last pristine marine ecosystems; an ocean that connects all oceans. I’m excited to partner with Greenpeace and provide the science that will help determine areas which should be a priority for protection as countries work together to create the world’s largest ocean sanctuary.”

Bengtsson continued:

“There are 35 of us on this ship – scientists, campaigners, submarine pilots, deck hands – but when we return in three months’ time, we want to come back with a global movement calling for governments to protect the Antarctic.

“The bottom of our blue planet may seem far away to many of us, but what happens there is crucial to all of our futures. An Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary would not only safeguard the unique penguins, whales and seals in this incredible area, but it will ensure the ocean is healthy enough to help mitigate against the worst effects of climate change. When governments meet in October, they have the opportunity to create the largest protected area on Earth. Let’s make it happen.”

ENDS

 

Notes

[1] The pop-up penguins have appeared in the following cities: Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hamburg, Johannesburg, London, Stockholm, Sydney and Washington DC.

For a selection of images of the penguin sculptures, see:

http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJX9X3SO

For the full collection see: http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJX9TAIQ

The penguin sculptures were made by Wolfram Kampffmeyer of German-based 3D design company Paperwolf.

Frida Bengtsson is a senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace Nordic, she is leading Greenpeace’s new Protect the Antarctic campaign.

Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary:

Greenpeace is campaigning for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary covering 1.8 million square kilometres in the Weddell Sea. The proposal has been submitted by the EU and backed by the German Government. It will be considered when CCAMLR next convenes, in October 2018.

Greenpeace’s Antarctic expedition will run for three months from January to early April 2018.

For images of Greenpeace’s ship the Arctic Sunrise, which has just commenced its three-month Antarctic expedition, see: http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJX9IE3D

Contacts:

Luke Massey, Antarctic Global Communications Lead, luke.massey@greenpeace.org, +44 (0) 7973 873 155

Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)