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The Patagonian-Southwest Atlantic is one of the most productive marine ecosystems of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Abundant populations of seabirds and marine mammals live here. Thousands of miles of the Patagonian-Southwest Atlantic coastline are dotted with high cliffs that provide stunning views of the ocean. The rugged coastline provides important breeding habitats for marine seabirds and mammals.
The waters of the Patagonian-Southwest Atlantic are very cold and turbulent because of strong currents from Antarctica, but waters remain calm and somewhat warmer in lagoons and gulfs. Peninsula Valdés has many rocky beaches and reefs. Peninsula Valdés is shaped like Cape Cod Bay in North America, where northern right whales breed. Southern right whales like the shape of the bays around Peninsula Valdés and breed here. Tierra del Fuego, at the tip of South America, is a mix of inlets and islands that are covered in ice and snow in the winter.
Southern sea lions and South American fur seals come to the ecoregion every year to breed and give birth to their young. Peninsula Valdés is home to the only breeding colony of southern elephant seals on the continent. The largest breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world, with about one million members, spends the spring and summer on Punta Tombo. Southern right and humpback whales calve in sheltered lagoons and swim while dusky and Commerson's dolphins further out to sea. Cormorants fill the air and the waters teem with squid and hake, which support a very important fishery here.
A dramatic increase in fishing in the Southwest Atlantic threatens several target species and those unintentionally taken in nets as bycatch. The squid fishing industry can be seen at night from space because of the lights used to attract squid. This huge fishery is causing declines in marine mammals and birds because the squid population is declining. Wildlife is harmed by oil spills, contaminated water from boats, and pollution from industries, harbor activities, and cities. Increasing tourism is also a threat, particularly to southern right whales, which are often disturbed during their breeding and calving activities.
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