{"id":71961,"date":"2026-08-25T16:35:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T04:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?page_id=71961"},"modified":"2026-08-25T16:38:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T04:38:05","slug":"tasman-sea-ocean-sanctuary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/explore\/oceans\/tasman-sea-ocean-sanctuary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tasman Sea ocean sanctuary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Towards a Tasman Sea ocean sanctuary<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Between the shores of Aotearoa and Australia, is one of the most biologically rich places on Earth. We’re calling for one of the world\u2019s first global ocean sanctuaries to be created here in the Tasman Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Join the call<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Tasman Sea needs to be protected<\/h2>\n\n

The rich waters of the Tasman Sea between Aotearoa and Australia are brimming with life, home to ancient deep sea corals, rare sharks, seabirds and migrating whales.<\/p>\n\n

\"A<\/figure>
\n

Here a chain of colossal underwater volcanoes rise from the deep and warm and cool currents collide, creating the perfect conditions for life to flourish. This area in the South Pacific is known for its seamounts, diverse fish populations, deep sea corals and internationally significant seabird populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Tasman Sea is at risk from industrial fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottom trawling is especially destructive and shockingly New Zealand is the only country still using this method in  these South Pacific High Seas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unique and abundant life of the Tasman Sea needs urgent protection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

An underwater paradise under threat<\/h2>\n\n

The rich biodiversity of the South Tasman Sea and Lord Howe Rise makes it a priority for protection.<\/p>\n\n

Unfortunately its this biodiversity that also attracts the attention of industrial fishers such as longliners and bottom trawlers. These waters are also under serious threat from climate change. New Zealand bottom trawlers drag heavy nets across the seafloor in these high seas tearing up ancient corals on seamounts.<\/p>\n\n

\n

A trawler can destroy a fragile marine habitat in mere moments – decimating ecosystems that have taken centuries or even millennia to form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

We witnessed the destruction wrought on seamounts by bottom trawling on our expedition to the Tasman Sea in 2025. We followed known trawl tracks and filmed hours of coral rubble. We saw a coral graveyard in the deep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Without protections in place, these destructive practices will continue, causing devastation to these oases in the deep and all the ocean life that depends on them.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
\n

Join the call for ocean protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Together, we can protect ocean life, great and small, in the Tasman Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n