It's easy to to talk about the cute, cuddly animals of the Antarctic. The penguins and the seals are reason enough to protect this incredible place.
But we mustn't forget about the weirder critters too - no matter how uh... interesting they are. They're just as important because everything is connected - sometimes in ways we might not expect.
We're on an epic three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives, to collect the evidence we need to create a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.
Key findings from the footage and samples gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Antarctic Ocean Commission when it meets in October when it makes its decision.
Now, scroll down to check out some of the weird and wonderful finds our our dedicated crew have found so far.
This Antarctic sea urchin, Sterechinus, was found at approximately 300 meters depth at Kinnes Cove in the Antarctic Sound.
A polynoid polychaete worm found off Lecointe Island (Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula) at around 560 meters depth.
A Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem indicator taxon, the primnoid coral, Fannyella, was found at approximately 300 meters depth, at Kinnes Cove, Antarctic Sound.
A polynoid polychaete worm found off Lecointe Island (Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula) found at around 560 meters depth.
first submarine footage
The first footage from our submarines shows a seafloor carpeted with life, as well as clear indications of a vulnerable marine ecosystem. Check out the stunning footage captured of part of the ocean floor never visited by humans before:
Ophiuroid brittle stars found off Lecointe Island (Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula) at around 560 meters depth.
Hexactinellid sponge found in Half Moon Bay, outside Livingston Island in the Antarctic.
Krill, Euphausia superba, represent a critical component of the Antarctic food web, providing food for fish, whales, seals, penguins, albatross and other seabirds, as well as marine invertebrates.
A pycnogonid sea spider from around 560 meters off Lecointe Island (Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula). Although this specimen spans approx. 6 cm, some Antarctic sea spider species can grow to the size of a dinner plate.
The Antarctic feather star, Promachocrinus kerguelensis, found at approximately 300 meters depth at Kinnes Kinnes Cove, Antarctic Sound.
Zoanthid polyps have completely parasitized the skeleton of this primnoid gorgonian coral. Found at around 560 meters depth off Lecointe Island in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula
Gorgonocephalus chilensis basket star from off Lecointe Island at around 570 meters depth, Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula.
Many organisms are utilising this dead gorgonian coral skeleton for substrate on which to attach: such as demosponges, hexactinellid glass sponges, bryozoans (or lace corals) and a pink alcyonacean soft coral.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
And now a cute animal to win you over, just in case you were on the fence!
It only takes a minute to sign the petition for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. It's as simple as that.
Can we count you in? If you're nodding your head right now, thank you! Click here to be transported!
