In response to the National Snow and Ice Data Center announcement that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean hit the second lowest level on record during the summer of 2016, Ocean Conservancy’s President Janis Searles Jones issued the following statement: 

“Sea ice is the foundation of the Arctic ecosystem. Another year of below average sea ice extent is bad news for wildlife like polar bears that depend on the ice and for indigenous communities that depend on these species and a healthy Arctic for food security, subsistence and culture.

“The loss of sea ice in the Arctic impacts all of us because it feeds into a vicious cycle that results in our ocean absorbing more sunlight, which in turn leads to warmer water and rising temperatures in the Arctic, causing further sea ice melt.

“The loss of summer sea ice also opens up the Arctic to increasing vessel traffic and the risks that come with it like higher risk of oil spills, impact of noise pollution on marine wildlife and the introduction of invasive species. By 2025, vessel traffic through the Bering Strait is projected to increase anywhere from 100 – 500% from what it was in 2013. Just a few weeks ago, the luxury ship Crystal Serenity became yet another symbol of a changing Arctic as she began her journey through the Northwest Passage.”

“As a science-based conservation organization with a deep commitment to the Arctic, Ocean Conservancy is working to better understand and minimize these risks by advocating for measures such as designated shipping routes, Areas to Be Avoided and integrated Arctic management with local communities and other partners.”

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Janis Searles Jones is available for interviews upon request

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.