The High Seas are sacred in so many ways, in part because they are home to billions of plankton that produce close to 80% of our planet's oxygen, as well as to ancient sea turtles that have swum the oceans for millions of years, and also to the great Blue Whale, the largest and most majestic animal on Earth. More than any creature, the Blue Whale symbolizes the health of the High Seas. Stretching up to more than 100 feet long and up to 200 tons, this mysterious and endangered species travels enormous distances, roaming the farthest reaches on its migratory route, as it criss-crosses the High Seas. Along the way, it continually experiences the threat of human impact. Hundreds of whales die each year from entanglement in fishing nets. Sonar pollution and noise from container ships and undersea drilling and exploration disorient whales, hindering their communication, and causing physical damage. Thousands of whales are hunted and killed each year in spite of the official moratorium on whaling, as several nations find their way around legal loopholes.

The Blue Whale epitomizes the health and harmony of the planet-and its well being is directly tied to that of the High Seas. In order to safeguard our planet, we must prevail upon the global community to work together to protect the High Seas.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE HIGH SEA WHALES:

A series of Marine Protected Areas, proposed by Chantecaille in a brochure called High Seas Gems: Hidden Treasures of our Blue Earth, was officially launched at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, Spain in October 2008. The project is intended to generate a consensus for creating a series of MPA's within the High Seas by 2012.

To help support the IUCN, visit: http://www.iucn.org/