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The unique bounty of the Patagonian Sea can be explained by the convergence of two major currents: the Malvinas and the Brazil Currents, that allow for an exceedingly high production of phytoplankton. This, in turn, sustains large populations of fish, squid and crustaceans, as well as important colonies of seabirds and marine mammals, many of which reproduce on the Patagonian coast (penguins, petrels, albatros, cormorants, seagulls, terns and skuas, and sea lions and elephant seals). Many other species, depending on this ecosystem for food, migrate to this area each year from sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters. Together, the life in these waters constitutes one of the greatest marine wildlife spectacles on our planet.

Young southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) © Fundación Ecocentro	Mixed colony of black -browed albatrosses (Diomedea melanophris) and Imperial Shags (Phalacrocorax atriceps) © I. Forster

Thousands of southern sea lions and southern elephant seals, as well as many seabirds, like penguins, giant petrels, albatross, cormorants, gulls, terns and skuas, breed along the Patagonian coast and depend on the Patagonian Sea ecosystem for food. In addition, several seabirds and marine mammals migrate to this area each year from sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters. Together, the life in these waters constitutes one of the greatest marine wildlife spectacles on our planet.

Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). © A. Fazzio / FVSA	Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus).  © J. Large

Amidst this, the Patagonian Sea sustains one of the largest fisheries on the planet. The great fish and squid stocks that attracted the fishing industry are now threatened by the industry itself—though overfishing and by illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUU). Problems associated to some fishing gears that also need attention are: the destruction of the sea bottom,  and the bycatch and incidental death of seabirds and marine mammals.  Garbage and other debris, run-off from coastal cities and possibly contamination resulting from oil extraction are also affecting these waters and threaten life within them.

Squid fishing vessel. © M. Brunella / FVSA	Tourists at beach. © G. Soria / FVSA	Fishing catch from Patagonian Sea.  © M. Brunella / FVSA

Guard watches over a resting juvenile southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), Puerto Madryn, Argentina. © L. Bailey / Conservation International	Black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophris) struck by trawl warp while foraging for offal discards behind a fishing trawler. © S. Crofts