Lewis Pugh is a London-based maritime lawyer who plans to complete five consecutive one-kilometer swims in Antarctic where there are killer whales, leopard seals, and other predators. He wants to appeal for the Ross Sea to be made a protected area. Because he is the first to reach the North Pole, Mr. Pugh has been nicknamed the “Human Polar Bear”. He will swim five miles over five weeks. He will swim four times further south than Mr. Pugh’s current record of the world’s most southerly swimming. For the event, one would think he might wear a mix of a wet and dry suit. But, Mr. Pugh claims he will only wear his Speedos for the five swims. After each swim, Pugh may need to be treated for hypothermia. Image: United Nations Environment Programme. Mr. Pugh became the UN Environment Programme’s patron for oceans in June 2013, and is now urging other leaders to make the Ross Sea a marine protected area (MPA). His message is specifically directed at CCAMLR (Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources), which comprises the European Union, 24 nations and the CCAMLR. He insists that the Ross Sea must be protected from any human activity. It is a vastly unexplored area. The Ross Sea The Ross Sea was discovered in 1841, by James Ross. It is an Antarctica deep-water bay in the Southern Ocean. There are at least 10 mammal and ninety-five fish species in the Ross Sea, plus more than one ,000 insect species. It also houses about half a dozen bird species. The Ross Sea is home to the following bird species: the Adelie penguin and the Emperor penguin. The killer whale, Antarctic minke, leopard, crabeater, and Weddell mammals are all mammals. In the Ross Sea, you will also find the Antarctic silverfish, Antarctic toothfish, and crystal krill. The Ross Sea is home to many species which are rare and cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. These five swims will take place over three weeks. Lewis Pugh’s Website. Mr. Pugh has been to the Seven Seas of Europe, the Middle East and a Lake on Mount Everest. He would love for there to be a no-take zone. This would make it the world’s largest protected area, larger than all of France, Germany, and the UK. According to Mr. Pugh, the Ross Sea is one the most amazing places on Earth. This area has the best eco-systems on earth. It is vital because scientists can understand how the earth is protected because of its pristine eco-system. He will be leaving Tuesday with his team, which includes a doctor. He will face dangerous challenges due to the extremely low temperatures that he will be exposed to and the presence of some local wildlife such as killer whales or leopard seals. Concerning dangerous animals, Mr. Pugh stated that he would just go out into the water. I wouldn’t try to negotiate with leopard seals and killer whales. It is important to ensure that there aren’t any penguins at the chosen site. Killer whales and leopard seals hunt penguins so it’s best to avoid being mistaken for one.
