Subantarctic Islands and Surrounding Seas

Isolated in the Southern Ocean, the New Zealand subantarctic islands and their surrounding seas (five different island groups) are among the least human-modified environments on the planet. Isolation has helped shape the biodiversity of these oceanic islands and surrounding marine habitat – rare and globally threatened mammal and bird species include the New Zealand sea lion (the world’s most endangered sea lion) at least three endemic species of land birds, several endemic species of seabird which breed only in the subantarctic, and two species of penguins classified as vulnerable or endangered. Despite several species' struggles to maintain healthy numbers, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has established several no-take zones in the area, a positive step that in turn will hopefully allow these species' a chance to grow to healthy numbers.

Protected Species

New Zealand Sea Lion Penguins Seabirds