The Last Ocean

Political Activities

We intend that our outreach will culminate in a powerful community supporting conservation in the Ross Sea. We will bring the community’s voice to the political process.

Overall governance of the Ross Sea is shared by several organizations – The Committee on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (CEP), The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) all have a say. CCAMLR determines the management of the toothfish fishery in the Ross Sea.

Several non-profit organizations have identified the Ross Sea as a critical area, and have issued statements or started campaigns for Ross Sea conservation. We are already developing relationships with organizations that are weighing in on these issues.

These organizations include:

  • The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC);
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF);
  • Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI); and,
  • Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (W&DCS).

ASOC is the only outside voice in CCAMLR. It has access to CEP proceedings, and it also attends the IWC as an observer. Thus the strategic alliance with ASOC, which has been initiated, is vital to the project goal. The chorus of voices from Friends of the Ross Sea (FORSE) will strengthen ASOC’s position as it continues to present support for stronger Ross Sea conservation measures to CCAMLR, CEP, and IWC.

Please join FORSE in the effort to protect the Ross Sea.

Project