Source here:

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - New historic SH sea ice maximum and NH sea ice minimum

Just when you thought this season's cryosphere couldn't be more strange .... The Southern Hemisphere sea ice area has broken the previous maximum of 16.03 million sq. km and is currently at 16.26 million sq. km. This represents an increase of about 1.4% above the previous SH ice area record high. The observed sea ice record in the Southern Hemisphere (1979-present) is not as long as the Northern Hemisphere. Prior to the satellite era, direct observations of the SH sea ice edge were sporadic.

Go figure.

Actually, this is reassuring, since it's the ice on top of land masses that drive sea level changes. Keep an eye on Greenland, though.

Looking at actual charts, the maximum is indeed a maximum, but the increase in Antarctica sea ice coverage over the years does not look like it has been a drastic one. Compare to the Northern Hemisphere ice figures, where the drop in coverage is sharper. Also, Antarctica sea ice coverage is larger, so the graphs may be misleading on straight percentages.