Explorer, 79, Tackles Antarctica's Crucial Krill

A seasoned explorer, aged 79, has embarked on a significant expedition to Antarctica aboard the Polar Pod / Perseverance. Setting sail from Christchurch, New Zealand, on January 20 and concluding in Hobart, Australia, on March 15, the mission is dedicated to gathering extensive data from the Antarctic environment. The primary objective is to meticulously study the breeding patterns of local fauna and assess the efficacy of the decade-old marine protected area in the Ross Sea. This endeavor is particularly focused on measuring krill quantities and reproduction levels to align with international fishing quotas. Krill, small crustaceans, are fundamental to the Antarctic food web, and their decline would impact numerous species. The data gathered will be submitted to the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to aid in regulating fishing access and supporting the creation of new marine protected areas, especially off the eastern coast of Antarctica. The mission also aims to raise public awareness through initiatives like the 'Polarpodibus' van, educating schoolchildren about Antarctica's importance as the planet's climate control system. The explorer is also testing new inventions, including the Tipod sampling platform, and plans to launch a floating research station, the Polar Pod, in 2029.