One hundred and seventy-six years ago, British explorer James Clark Ross led an expedition into the unknown at the bottom of the world. Last week, new protections for 1.5 million square kilometres of the Southern Ocean came into effect—it's now one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries. This is why the Ross Sea is so important.


	The Ross Sea becomes a marine protected area One hundred and seventy-six years ago, British explorer James Clark Ross led an expedition into the unknown at the bottom of the world. This morning, new protections for 1.5 million square kilometres of the Southern Ocean came into effect—it's now one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries. This is why the Ross Sea is so important.

The penguin that wasnt

The Hunter Island penguin's ‘extinction’ was estimated to have occurred about 11,700 years ago. But the bones were in fact from other penguins, including two from New Zealand.

Fire and ice

Beneath Antarctica are thermal cave systems created by volcanic steam, where fungi and bacteria flourish. Now, researchers have discovered the remains of other life.


	Chasing poachers in the Ross Sea When the Royal New Zealand Navy ventured into the Ross Sea, it found three pirate ships illegally fishing Antarctic toothfish. What followed was a four-month chase across three oceans in an attempt to drive poachers out of our seas—a pursuit that ended with one ship at the bottom of the ocean.


	Now, you be the judge... There are 65 finalists in Photographer of the Year to choose from—now it's your turn to be the judge. View all the finalists online, and while you're there, vote for your favourites to win the Panasonic People's Choice award. Vote now! Photo: Paul Daly