A warm welcome to all Friends Of the Last Ocean (FOLO)       

Winter has set in and Christchurch continues to shake - making life in the Last Ocean office at times quite challenging but we’ve managed to keep very busy.

In this newsletter: our new short film competition, World Oceans Day, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Ross Sea stakeholder meetings, iconic NZ musician Dave Dobbyn talks on the Ross Sea, we profile Trust chairman Dr Peter Wilson, and learn about an amazing Last Ocean local.

This email just contains highlights - read the full newsletter online here. Remember you can get more regular updates from us on Facebook and Twitter too.

Short Film Competition launch – Kelly Tarltons, June 7 2011

We are running a short film competition! The competition was recently launched at Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World in Auckland. The competition is open to anyone living in New Zealand either at secondary school or over 16 not at school.

Entrants are able to download a selection of clips from the Ross Sea shot by Peter Young and there a some great prizes including a sub-Antarctic trip.

Entries close August 12, 2011; winners to be announced during Conservation Week in September. More…

World Oceans Day – June 8 2011

On World Oceans Day Peter Young talked to Corrin Dann on TVNZ Breakfast. This year’s theme for World Oceans Day was “Youth: the next wave for change”; we hope through our film competition young people will learn about and care for the Ross Sea. See what Pete had to say.

Ross Sea MPA on the political radar

Over the past 8 weeks the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (who oversee all of NZ’s Antarctic policy) have run a series of stakeholder meetings for parties interested in marine protection for the Ross Sea. The Last Ocean Trust was represented by Peter Wilson and Peter Young at these meetings. More...

Short film highlights some of the issues surrounding Ross Sea

Peter Young and his production company Fisheye Films are busy working on a feature length documentary about the Ross Sea, our Last Ocean. This will be released at film festivals in the next 12 months. 

Pete recently produced a five minute promo outlining the key aspects of the issue.

News & views from the Ross Sea – interview with Dave Dobbyn

Renowned New Zealand singer/song-writer Dave Dobbyn was invited to visit the Ross Sea region in November 2010 as one of New Zealand’s Antarctic Arts Fellows. He was able to visit the historic huts of Ross Island, the McMurdo Dry Valleys and Adélie penguin rookery at Cape Royds. Dave even played a gig for staff at the Scott Base bar, 'The Tatty Flag'.

Dave is now working on some music inspired by his time on the Ice. Watch an interview with Dave.

Meet the team – Peter Wilson, Chairman of the NZ Last Ocean trustees

Peter's annual migration to Antarctica began in 1980 to monitor Adélie penguin populations in the Ross Sea. Having spent 25 summers on the ice, he is now a passionate advocate for the preservation of this remarkable marine ecosystem.

Peter brings a wealth of scientific knowledge and experience to the Last Ocean Charitable Trust. More…

Last Ocean locals - Antarctic toothfish

The large, cod-like Antarctic toothfish is a giant of the Ross Sea’s icy water, growing to more than two metres in length and reaching weights of 150kg. These fish demonstrate some remarkable adaptations that allow them to live in the harsh sub-zero habitat.

Watch a short video including comments from NZ toothfish biologist Assoc. Prof. Clive Evans.

Donate to the Last Ocean

The Last Ocean Charitable Trust relies completely on donations to keep up our campaign for the protection of the Ross Sea. If you feel our work is important, you can help keep us on track by making a secure donation online here. This is tax deductible for New Zealand residents.

Take action! Petition for protection of the Ross Sea

Our petition lobbying the New Zealand Government to change their stance on commercial fishing activities in the Ross Sea recently gained 500 signatures. It only takes a minute to sign – make sure you keep spreading this with your friends and colleagues!

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. Please forward it on to your friends and family, and don’t forget to check out our short film competition. We will soon be combining our web strategy with Last Ocean USA, so keep an eye out for that too.

If you have any comments, feedback or story ideas, please email kate(at)lastocean.co.nz

Happy oceans,

Kate Beer, Coordinator