The Southern Ocean includes all ocean waters surrounding Antarctica making the Southern Ocean the fourth-largest ocean. The total area is about 20.3 million km2 (7.8 million mi2) which is smaller than the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian but larger than the Arctic. Since it is surrounding Antarctica it is also known as the Antarctic Ocean.
The Southern Ocean is geologically the youngest of the oceans and like the Arctic Ocean the Southern Ocean is partially frozen all year round. The harsh weather conditions make commercial fishing in the Southern Ocean a challenging occupation. Over 75 percent of the recorded catch is krill with patagonian toothfish (also called black hake or Antarctic sea bass) accounting for the other 25 percent. Seals and whales were ruthlessly slaughtered for their fur, blubber, or meat but now are protected in Southern Ocean waters. On continental margins there are probable large, and possibly giant, gas and oil fields.
Few ports or harbors exist on the southern coast of the Southern Ocean since ice conditions limit use of most of them to short periods in midsummer.
Most Antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels.
Web Sites
Catalog
Search the library's catalog for Antarctic Ocean.
Databases
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