During the Vendée Globe, Brian has already sailed past hundreds of protected areas, with hundreds more coming up along the east coast of the Americas.   But why are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) so important, what can they do to save marine life, and why do we need more if there are so many already?

As Brian traverses the Southern Ocean, we take a look at the effects that climate change is having on our oceans.

Today, Brian remains in 11th position, averaging a speed of 13 knots, as he prepares for the next weather front and the fleet continues to towards the longitude of Western Australia.

As Brian sails the Atlantic Ocean, we reflect on the problems caused by extensive fishing of the world’s oceans.

Brian, who embarked on the biggest race of his life on November 9 on board the Bahrain Team Pindar Open 60 yacht, is collecting data for Earthwatch during the race, recording sightings of marine mammals, sharks, rays, turtles, cetaceans, seabirds and other unusual sightings such as oceanic sunfish and jellyfish swarms in addition to measuring sea surface temperature along the entire route