The Southern Oceans

This section looks at questions of ecology and wildlife of the 'southern ocean'.

The 'Southern Ocean' is a body of water that not many people from the northern hemisphere are familiar with. Like the other oceans and seas, it is somewhat of an artificially defined area. The 4 major connected bodies of water of the world (the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian) all have southerly colder portions. In the year 2000, the ‘Southern Ocean’ was officially proclaimed at the latitude of 60 degrees south across these oceans. It includes Antarctica.

Expedition ships that go to Antarctica and visit the sub-antarctic islands for the wildlife are going through the Southern Ocean. This massive body of water that encirlces the entire bottom of the planet is also considered to touch on, or at least influence, the southern coast of New Zealand and Tasmania.

One of the most obvious features of the colder southern waters is the prolific bird life.
What is birdwatching like on the southern oceans?

Many people forget that penguins are birds too, and not mammals.
For information about penguins and where to see them...

The southern oceans are also well known for their abundance and diversity of marine mammals, such as whales, and dolphins.

Ecosystem Guides book "Ocean Surfaces of Australasia"