Measures Approved or Recommended Under Article IX in Furtherance of Principles and Objectives of the Antarctic Treaty, Paris, 1989

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The Representatives,

Convinced of the need to preserve the Antarctic Treaty system so as to ensure that Antarctica does not become the scene or object of international discord;

Bearing in mind the special legal and political status of Antarctica and the special responsibility of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to ensure that all activities in Antarctica are consistent with the purposes and principles of the Antarctic Treaty;

Recalling the designation of Antarctica as a Special Conservation Area;

Recognising the vulnerability to human interference of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems;

Recognising further the unique opportunities Antarctica offers for scientific research on processes of global as well as regional importance;

Taking into account international concern for the environment and the importance of Antarctica for the global environment;

Bearing in mind the substantial body of measures adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in recognition of their special responsibilities for the protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems;

Recalling in this context Articles V and IX (1) (f) of the Antarctic Treaty and Recommendations setting out general principles for the protection of the Antarctic environment;

Recalling also:

(a) the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora and associated Recommendations;

(b) the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (which entered into force on 11 March 1978);

(c) the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (which entered into force on 7 April 1982);

(d) the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities (which has not yet entered into force);

(e) Recommendations relating to:

(i) the Antarctic Protected Area system concerning Specially Protected Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Historic Sites and monuments;

(ii) the Code of Conduct for Antarctic expeditions and station activities;

(iii) the effects of Antarctic tourism and non-governmental expeditions;

(iv) the use of radio-isotopes;

(v) oil contamination;

(vi) the prohibition on the disposal of nuclear waste; and

(vii) environmental impact assessment procedures;

as well as work undertaken in relation to the uses of Antarctic ice;

Taking note of proposals made at XVth Consultative Meeting by France and Australia for a comprehensive Convention for the Protection of the Antarctic Environment which would establish Antarctica as a natural reserve, land of science; by the United States for comprehensive measures building on the components of the Antarctic Treaty system; by Chile on comprehensive measures, which include the development of the concept of Antarctica as a Special Conservation Area; by New Zealand for comprehensive measures constituting an integrated and binding environmental protection regime; and by Sweden relating to common elements for environmental protection;

Welcoming the further substantial progress made on the protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems through the work of this Consultative Meeting including the adoption of Recommendation XV-3 on Waste Disposal; Recommendation XV-4 on the Prevention, Control and Response to Marine Pollution; Recommendation XV-5 on Environmental Monitoring in Antarctica; Recommendation XV-6 on New Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Recommendation XV-8 amending Article VIII of the Agreed Measures to provide for Management Plans for Specially Protected Areas (SPAs); Recommendation XV-9 on Development of improved descriptions and management plans for SPAs; Recommendation XV-10 on Establishment of Specially Reserved Areas; Recommendation XV-11 on Establishment of Multiple-use Planning Areas; Recommendation XV-14 and XV-15 on promotion of international scientific cooperation; Recommendation XV-17 on the Siting of Stations; Recommendation XV-19 on Charting of Antarctic waters; Recommendation XV-21 on Antarctic Ice and the Declaration on the Ozone Layer and Climate Change.

Acknowledging the need, in the light of the unique qualities of Antarctica and increasing human activities there, to ensure the effective implementation, coordination and further elaboration of the system of protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems;

Recommend to their Government that:

1. They undertake as a priority objective the further elaboration, maintenance and effective implementation of a comprehensive system for the protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems aimed at ensuring that human activity does not have adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment or its dependent or associated ecosystems or compromise the scientific, aesthetic or wilderness values of Antarctica.

2. To contribute to this objective, a Special Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting be held in 1990 to explore and discuss all proposals relating to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems.

3. In addressing the requirements of such a comprehensive system, they:

(a) have regard to the principles for the protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems already established under the Antarctic Treaty system and shall consider the need to elaborate further, expand and supplement those principles;

(b) review the existing body of measures for the protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems in order, inter alia, to:

(i) identify those measures which should be updated, strengthened or otherwise improved;

(ii) identify areas where the existing measures should be supplemented;

(iii) consider the nature of the legal obligations contained in existing measures and the need, as necessary, to state those obligations with greater precision;

(iv) make provision for the promotion of research related to environmental management decisions;

(v) promote the establishment of procedures for assessing the possible impact of human activities on the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems in order to provide for informed decision-making as to their acceptability;

(vi) promote the establishment of procedures to monitor the effectiveness and adequacy of environmental protection measures;

(vii) consider the role of an information and data base for the effective implementation, revision and extension of environmental protection measures;

(c) consider if and to what extent institutional arrangements may be necessary and the form or forms of the legal or other measures needed to ensure the maintenance, integration, consistency and comprehensiveness of the system of protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems.

The Representatives,

Recalling the adoption on 2 June 1988, by the Fourth Special Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on Antarctic Mineral Resources of the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities and the importance of the issue of liability;

Recommend to their Governments that:

A meeting be held in 1990 to explore and discuss all proposals relating to Article 8 (7) of the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities.

The Representatives,

Recalling Article II of the Antarctic Treaty and Recommendations VI-4, VIII-11, XII-4, and XIII-4;

Reaffirming the commitment of Consultative Parties to take measures to reduce the amount of wastes generated in Antarctica and to minimize the impact of wastes on the Antarctic environment, giving due consideration to the need to avoid detrimental effects on dependent or associated ecosystems outside the Antarctic Treaty Area;

Recognizing that the Antarctic derives much of its scientific importance from its uncontaminated condition;

Recognizing further that the support of science has an impact on the Antarctic environment which it is impractical to eliminate completely, but which, by good management can be limited;

Noting that the increasing level and complexity of Antarctic operations have increased the quantity and variety of wastes produced, but that improvements in logistics and technology have increased the capacity to minimize wastes and their environmental impacts;

Recognizing further that different environments, scales of operation, and logistic infrastructures will require different approaches to waste management, and that further technical developments can be expected to provide new solutions to waste management problems;

Noting with appreciation the work of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in response to Recommendation XIII-4, which invited National Antarctic Committees to undertake a comprehensive review of the waste disposal aspects of the Annex to Recommendation VIII-11, and to offer scientific advice regarding waste disposal procedures and standards that it is desirable and practical to achieve at coastal and inland stations and field camps;

Desiring to revise the waste disposal aspects of the Code of Conduct annexed to Recommendation VIII-11 to take account of the recommendations of SCAR;

Recommend to their Governments that they adopt the following practices and take measures within their competence necessary to ensure compliance with them;

General obligation

1. The amount of wastes produced, or disposed of, in Antarctica shall be reduced to the maximum extent possible so as to minimize impact on the Antarctic environment and minimize interference with scientific research, or other legitimate uses of the Antarctic.

Waste Management Planning

2. Each Government carrying out Antarctic activities shall establish a waste disposal classification as a basis for recording wastes and to facilitate studies aimed at evaluating the environmental impacts of operational and scientific activity. Wastes produced may be classified as sewage and domestic liquid wastes (Group 1); other liquid wastes and chemicals, including fuels and lubricants (Group 2); solids to be combusted (Group 3); other solid wastes (Group 4); and radioactive materials (Group 5). Source classification codes, which represent individual processes or functions logically associated with points of waste creation, may be used in auditing studies.

3. Each Government carrying out Antarctic activities shall, in respect of those activities, prepare and annually update:

(a) plans for waste management (including waste reduction, storage and disposal), specifying for each vessel (other than small boats that are part of the operations of fixed sites or of vessels);

(i) programs for cleaning up existing waste disposal sites and abandoned work sites;

(ii) current and planned waste management arrangements;

(iii) current and planned arrangements for analyzing the environmental effects of Antarctic waste and waste management systems; and

(iv) other efforts to minimize any environmental effects of wastes and waste management.

(b) an inventory of locations of past activities (such as traverses, fuel depots, field bases, crashed aircraft) as far as is practicable, before the information is lost, so that such locations can be taken into account in planning future scientific programs (e.g. snow chemistry, pollutants in lichens, ice core drilling etc.).

4. Each Government carrying out Antarctic activities shall include the waste management plans referred to in paragraph 3 (a) above in the annual exchanges of information in accordance with Article III and VII of the Antarctic Treaty and related Recommendations under Article IX of the Treaty. The formats of such exchanges shall be determined by each Government pending development of standardized formats. They shall also exchange the inventories referred to in paragraph 3 (b) above.

5. Each Government carrying out Antarctic activities shall ensure that its national Antarctic operators designate a waste management official to develop and monitor waste management plans. In the field, this responsibility shall be delegated to an appropriate person at each site.

6. Those carrying out activities in Antarctica shall ensure that members of their expeditions receive training designed to limit the impact of their operations on the Antarctic environment and to inform them of required practices.

7. Pesticides, polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs), non-sterile soil or polystyrene beads, chips or similar forms of packaging shall not be sent to the Antarctic. The use of poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) products in packaging shall be discouraged.

8. Those carrying out activities in Antarctica shall ensure that their expeditions to Antarctica are advised of any PVC products being provided.

9. Each Government shall establish a long-term program to remove existing abandoned fuel drums and fuel, where such removal is practical. Such programs shall identify for clean up at the first opportunity those drum sites where the transport equipment which delivered the drums is no longer available in the same area.

10. Waste compaction, storage and incineration facilities shall be incorporated in the design and construction of ships engaged in or supporting Antarctic programs.

Waste Disposal

11. The following wastes shall be removed from the Antarctic Treaty area:

(a) radio-active materials;

(b) electrical batteries (including lead/acid, dry cell and other types);

(c) fuel, both liquid and solid; and

(d) wastes containing high levels of heavy metals or harmful persistent compounds.

12. The following wastes shall be removed from the Antarctic Treaty area unless they are incinerated in equipment which neutralizes the harmful emissions that would otherwise be produced:

(a) poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, rubber and lubricating oils which contain additives that are widely recognized as products that could produce harmful emissions;

(b) all other plastic wastes, including those of unknown composition.

13. The following wastes shall be removed from the Antarctic Treaty area to the maximum extent practicable:

(a) liquid wastes, other than sewage and domestic liquid wastes;

(b) solid, non-combustible wastes; and

(c) fuel drums.

14. The following wastes shall be removed from Antarctic Treaty area unless incinerated, autoclaved or otherwise treated to be made sterile:

(a) residues of introduced animal carcasses;

(b) cultures of micro-organisms; and

(c) introduced avian products.

15. Combustible wastes, not removed from the Antarctic Treaty area, shall be burnt in incinerators designed to reduce harmful emissions to the maximum extent practicable.

16. All open burning of wastes shall be phased out. Pending the completion of such phase-out, when it is necessary to dispose of wastes by open burning:

(a) allowance shall be made for the wind and the type of wastes to be burnt to limit, as far as practicable, particulate deposition on land and to avoid such deposition over sensitive areas; and

(b) wastes to be burnt shall be stored in such a way as to prevent their dispersal by wind, or access and dispersal by scavengers.

17. All wastes to be removed from the Antarctic Treaty area, or otherwise disposed of, shall be stored in such a way as to prevent their dispersal by wind or access and dispersal by scavengers.

18. Solid non-combustible wastes, which cannot be removed to land disposal sites outside the Antarctic Treaty area and which are to be disposed of at sea, shall only be disposed of at selected dump sites in deep waters, within or outside the Antarctic Treaty area and only in accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by the Dumping of Wastes and other Matter (London Dumping Convention), as well as any other relevant international agreements.

19. Dumping of any other wastes at sea shall be carried out in accordance with the London Dumping Convention.

20. Sewage, chemical wastes and, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic liquid wastes shall not be disposed of onto ice free land. Sewage and domestic liquid wastes may be discharged directly into the ocean, provided that:

(a) such discharge be located, wherever practicable, where conditions exist for rapid dispersal;

(b) large quantities of such wastes (generated by approximately 30 individuals or more), receive at least primary treatment, such as maceration; and

(c) consideration be given to the advantages of treating very large quantities through systems, such as Rotating Biological Contractor Systems, to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids.

21. Vessels engaged in supporting Antarctic activities that are not fitted with incinerator facilities shall, to the maximum extent practicable, stockpile waste, excluding untreated sewage and domestic effluents, for appropriate disposal at stations, bases, deep waters sites or outside of the Antarctic Treaty area, provided that such wastes may be disposed of at stations or bases in Antarctica only in accordance with these practices, and at sea only in accordance with relevant Antarctic Treaty recommendations, the London Dumping Convention and any other relevant international agreements. Any incineration of ship-board wastes in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be conducted in incinerators of the type which are designed to reduce harmful emissions to the maximum extent practicable.

22. Those carrying out activities in Antarctica shall to the maximum extent practicable clean up the waste disposal sites and abandoned work sites of their Antarctic activities.

23. Wastes generated at inland stations shall be removed from the area of such stations to the maximum extent practicable for disposal in accordance with the practices set out in this Recommendation. Where this is not practicable, such wastes shall be concentrated in deep ice pits. In planning the location of inland stations where deep ice pits are the only practicable alternative, sites on known ice flow lines which terminate at ice-free areas or in areas of high ablation shall be avoided.

24. Wherever practicable, wastes generated at field camps shall be removed to their supporting stations, bases or ships for disposal in accordance with the practices set out in this Recommendation.

Procedures

25. These practices shall be kept under continuing review so as to ensure that they are up-dated as necessary to reflect improvements in waste disposal technology and procedures and to ensure maximum protection of the Antarctic environment. To this end it would be desirable for SCAR and the Managers of National Antarctic Programs to continue to consider problems, prospects and opportunities for cooperation in Antarctic waste management and to provide advice on appropriate steps that may be taken.

26. Governments should ensure that their nationals and vessels are subject to measures governing waste disposal in Antarctica that are no less effective in affording protection of the environment than those applicable to their nationals and vessels outside Antarctica. Further, nothing in these practices shall be interpreted as replacing national environmental standards applicable to Antarctic activities, where such standards are stricter than those contained in these practices; nor shall any provision in these practices be interpreted as limiting governments from adopting stricter standards.

27. These practices shall not be interpreted or implemented in such fashion as to endanger human life.

The Representatives,

Recalling Recommendations IX-6 and X-7 on oil contamination of the Antarctic marine environment;

Recognizing the special characteristics of the Antarctic Treaty area and the particularly hazardous nature of the area for vessel operations;

Recognizing further that the Antarctic derives much of its scientific importance from its uncontaminated condition;

Reaffirming their commitment to the avoidance and reduction of the contamination of the sea by oil and other pollutants;

Noting the framework provided by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in its Part XII and other relevant international agreements for the protection and preservation of the marine environment;

Bearing in mind the need to take measures relating to the design, construction, manning, and equipment of vessels engaged in or supporting Antarctic operations to avoid marine pollution from vessels;

Recognizing further the importance of the expeditious exchange of information on weather and ice conditions in the Antarctic Treaty area and with respect to accidents and emergency response efforts;

Mindful of the need for accurate and up-to-date charting of the Antarctic Treaty area; and

Acknowledging the value of cooperation directly and through appropriate international organizations in efforts to avoid and respond to marine pollution incidents;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They approve and take measures within their competence necessary to ensure compliance with:

(a) a prohibition within the Antarctic Treaty area on all intentional discharges, including oil, from vessels into the marine environment;

(b) a prohibition within the Antarctic Treaty area on disposal from vessels into the marine environment of all plastics and garbage other than food wastes, provided that disposal of food wastes should be made as far as practicable from land, but in no event within 12 nautical miles of land or ice shelves; and

(c) a prohibition within the Antarctic Treaty area on discharge of sewage from vessels within 12 nautical miles of land or ice shelves.

In implementing these provisions, they give due consideration to the need to avoid detrimental effects on dependent or associated ecosystems outside the Antarctic Treaty area.

2. They take measures within their competence necessary to ensure compliance by all their vessels engaged in or supporting Antarctic operations with the relevant provisions of the following conventions:

(a) the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Dumping Convention);

(b) the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, and the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, with Annexes, I, II, III, and V (MARPOL 73/78);

(c) the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers with Annex, 1978, (the STCW Convention);

(d) the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (SOLAS);

(e) the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (the Load Lines Convention); and

(f) the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS).

3. When such vessels are warships, naval auxiliaries or other state-owned or state-operated vessels used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service, they shall take appropriate measures, not impairing operations or operational capabilities of such vessels, to ensure that they act in a manner consistent so far as is reasonable and practicable with these provisions.

4. If they are not parties, they become parties to the conventions listed in paragraph 2 (a)-(f).

5. Those that are parties to MARPOL 73/78 consider taking actions within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to secure designation of the waters south of 60 degrees South Latitude as a special area under Annexes I and V of that Convention, provided that the establishment of reception facilities otherwise called for in these Annexes not be considered either necessary or desirable in the Antarctic Treaty area.

6. They establish contingency plans for marine pollution response in Antarctica, including contingency plans for vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area, particularly vessels carrying oil. To this end they shall:

(a) cooperate in the formulation and implementation of such plans and in responding to pollution emergencies in Antarctica; and

(b) draw on the advice of the IMO and other international organizations, as appropriate.

7. They convene, in accordance with Recommendation IV-24, a meeting of experts to consider and provide advice on the establishment of contingency plans for marine pollution response and additional requirements to reduce and prevent pollution of the Antarctic marine environment, giving due consideration to the need to avoid detrimental effects on dependent and associated ecosystems outside the Antarctic Treaty area.

8. They keep under continuing review measures to reduce and prevent pollution of the Antarctic marine environment.

The Representatives,

Recognizing that, because of its relatively pristine state, Antarctica provides an important natural laboratory to obtain baseline information on Antarctic environments and for detecting and monitoring some of the effects of human activities on the global environments and ecosystems upon which the welfare and survival of the human species depend;

Recognizing also that scientific research, related logistic support activities, tourism, natural resources exploration and development, and other human activities in Antarctica could have local, regional or global environmental effects, or compromise the scientific value of Antarctica;

Recalling the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) response to Recommendation XII-3 and Recommendation XIV-2, which call upon the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to establish programs for detecting and monitoring the effects of human activities on key components of Antarctic ecosystems;

Conscious that determining cause-effect relationships between certain human activities and observed changes in Antarctic environments will require knowledge of natural variation in Antarctic environments and accurate records of such things as the types and quantities of fuels used to supply heat and light to Antarctic stations and to operate aircraft and land vehicles in Antarctica;

Aware of the ecosystem monitoring program being developed to help meet the objectives of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources;

Desiring to identify and initiate cooperative, long-term monitoring programs necessary to verify the predicted effects and to detect and quantify the possible unforeseen effects of human activities on the Antarctic environment; and

Recognizing that the design and implementation of integrated, comprehensive, and cost-effective environmental monitoring programs in Antarctica serve both scientific and environmental protection purposes;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They encourage their national Antarctic programs, individually and collectively, to continue and, as appropriate, expand programs in Antarctica aimed at detecting and monitoring global environmental change, including its effects on the ozone layer over Antarctica, effects on Antarctic terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric environments and dependent and associated ecosystems as well as effects on Antarctic living resources.

2. They undertake, individually and collectively, to establish environmental monitoring programs to verify the predicted effects and to detect the possible unforeseen effects on Antarctic environments and living resources of activities in the Antarctic Treaty area, including:

(a) waste disposal;

(b) contamination by oil or other hazardous or toxic substances;

(c) construction and operation of stations, field camps, and related ship, aircraft and other logistic support facilities;

(d) conduct of science programs;

(e) recreational activities, and

(f) those affecting the purposes of designated protected areas.

3. They take such steps as necessary to maintain accurate records of the activities of their national programs in Antarctica, including, among other things, maintaining accurate records of the types and quantities of fuels and other materials transported to and used to support their national programs in Antarctica, the types and quantities of materials subsequently removed from Antarctica, and the types and quantities of materials disposed of in Antarctica by various means, bearing in mind Recommendation XV-3. 4. They convene, in accordance with Recommendation IV-24, a meeting of experts to consider and provide advice on:

(a) The types of cooperative, long-term monitoring programs that would be useful for detecting, quantifying, monitoring, and determining the likely causes of observed changes in air quality, snow and water quality, and other key features of Antarctic environments and living resources;

(b) on the methods that should be used to collect, report, store, exchange, and analyze needed data; and

(c) on where and how frequently various environmental parameters should be measured.

To this end, they invite SCAR through their national committees, to consider and provide advice on the above matters.

5. They exchange information and establish cooperative working relations with those Specialized Agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations having a scientific or technical interest in Antarctica that are engaged in the planning and implementation of related scientific research and environmental monitoring programs.

The Representatives,

Recalling, Recommendations VIII-3 and VIII-4;

Noting that management plans have been prepared and approved by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) for certain Sites of Special Scientific Interest additional to those already designated;

Considering that it would be advantageous to gather experience of the practical effect of the management plans prepared for these sites;

Recommend to their Governments that they voluntarily take account of the management plans, annexed to this Recommendation, for the following sites:

Site No 29:

Ablation Point-Ganymede Heights, Alexander Island.

Site No 30:

Avian Island, North-West Marguerite Bay.

Site No 31:

Mount Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula.

ANNEX TO RECOMMENDATION XV-6

The Ablation Valley-Ganymede Heights massif and its valley systems (70°49°S, 68°25° W) is situated on the mid-east coast of Alexander Island overlooking the shelf ice of George VI Sound and about 120 km from open sea to the north.

(i) Description of site

The Site extends from lat. 70°45° to lat. 70°55° and from long. 68°40°W to the George VI Sound coastline.

The largely ice-free area comprises three main and two lesser valley systems separated by often precipitous ridges and plateaux 650-760 m high. The site is bounded by Grotto Glacier to the north, Jupiter Glacier to the south and west, and George VI Sound to the east. The area extends 18 km from north to south and 10 km from east to west, rising to a maximum altitude of 1070 m.

(ii) Reason for designation

The Site represents one of the largest ablation areas in West Antarctica. It has a complex geology, the main rock types being conglomerates, arkosic sandstones and shales with subordinate pebbly mudstones and sedimentary breccias. The base of the succession is formed of a spectacular melange, including large blocks of lava and agglomerate. This outcrops on the valley floors and at the base of several cliffs. It possesses a wide range of geomorphological features including raised beaches, moraine systems and patterned ground. There are several permanently frozen freshwater lakes and many ice-free ponds supporting a diverse flora (including aquatic briophytes) and fauna. There are a few major streams and many smaller ones in summer. The vegetation is generally sparse, with a unique moss and liverwort-dominated community type being restricted to ‘oases’ where water issues from otherwise dry barren hillsides. The terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are vulnerable to human impact and therefore merit protection from uncontrolled human presence.

(iii) Outline of research

Several detailed geological, geomorphological, glaciological and limnological studies have been made by British Antarctic Survey scientists within the Site and it is proposed to undertake terrestrial ecological research throughout the area.

(iv) Date of expiry of designation

31 December 1999

(v) Access points

None specified, but the most convenient point is by landing on Ablation Lake. Access is not possible from the shelf ice of Georges VI Sound because of the dangerous and variable condition of the pressure ice.

(vi) Pedestrian and vehicular routes

Vehicles may be used on land with the utmost care, avoiding areas of vegetation, patterned ground and streams whenever possible. Pedestrians should avoid, as far as possible, areas of oasis vegetation, patterned ground, streams and lake margins.

(vii) Other kinds of scientific investigations which would not cause harmful interference

None specified.

(viii) Scientific sampling

Scientific sampling within the Site should be minimal and restricted to that which can be accomplished as far as possible without introducing new organisms, including micro-organisms, and without disturbing the environment.

(ix) Other restraints

All materials, including combustibles, introduced into the Site should be removed after each visit. Solid human waste should be disposed of into the sea through tide cracks.

Avian Island (67°46°SO., 68°54°W.) lies c. 1 km south of the south-west tip of Adelaide Island in north-west Marguerite Bay;

(i) Description of site

The Site consists of Avian Island together with its littoral zone. It is 1.45 km long by 0.8 km at its widest, and rises to about 45 m altitude. It is largely ice-free in summer and there are several shallow melt pools, the largest being on the eastern raised beach area. Excluded from the Site is the north-western corner of the island where there is a small refuge hut; this area is bounded by a line extending from the north-east end of the southern of two long inlets at the north-west of the island, due north over the western slope of a low rocky hill, to the north coast of the island. All land to the west of this line is not included in the Site.

(ii) Reason for designation

The Site is exceptional for its abundance and diversity of breeding seabirds (e.g. Adelie penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae, about 40,000 pairs; blue-eyed shags, Phalacrocorax atriceps, about 300 pairs; southern giant petrels, Macronectes giganteus, about 200 pairs; Dominican gulls, Larus dominicanus, about 60 breeding pairs, total adult birds about 200; south polar skuas, Catharacta maccormicki, 30 breeding pairs, petrels, Oceanites oceanicus, several hundred pairs). The giant petrel colony is the farthest south known breeding population, while the blue-eyed shags are very close to the southern limit of their breeding range. Avian Island is therefore of outstanding ornithological importance and merits protection from unnecessary human disturbance.

(iii) Outline of research

None currently proposed but protection is justified to safeguard the avian populations from potential tourist visits and other disturbance, for the reasons outlined in (ii).

(iv) Date of expiry of designation

31 December 1999. (v) Access points

None specified

(vi) Pedestrian and vehicular routes

Vehicles should not be used within the Site. No pedestrian routes need to be marked, but every care must be taken to avoid unnecessary disturbance of the avifauna. No helicopter landings should be made anywhere on the island.

(vii) Other kinds of scientific investigations which would not cause harmful interference

None specified.

(viii) Scientific sampling

All activities involving banding, capture, killing, etc. of any birds must conform with the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora. Any other sampling should be restricted to the minimum required for the purpose of the respective studies.

(ix) Other restraints

None specified.

Mount Flora (63°25°S, 57°01° W) is situated about 1 km south of Hope Bay and about 1 km south-east of the Argentine station Esperanza, at the northern tip of Trinity Peninsula.

(i) Description of site

The Site comprises the upper slopes of Mount. Flora above 250 m altitude where the plant-beds of sandstone and siltstone outcrops as a distinct black band between the lower band of conglomerates and light colored volcanic rocks which cap the mountain.

(ii) Reason for designation

The Site is of exceptional scientific importance for its rich fossil flora. It was one of the first fossil floras discovered in Antarctica and has played a significant stratigraphic role in deducing the geological history of the Antarctic Peninsula. Its long history as an easily accessible site and the large amount of fossilferous debris occurring in scree has made it vulnerable to souvenir collectors, and the amount of material available for serious research has been considerably depleted. For this reason the Site merits urgent protection.

(iii) Outline of research

None specified. Designation as an SSSI is justified by the exceptional scientific interest of the site and the vulnerability of its fossils to over collecting.

(iv) Date of expiry of designation

31 December 1999. (v) Access points

None specified.

(vi) Pedestrian and vehicular routes

None specified.

(vii) Other kinds of scientific investigations which would not cause harmful interference.

None specified

(viii) Scientific sampling

The collection of fossilferous rocks should be restricted to the minimum required for the proposed research studies. Unnecessary destruction of in situ rock and boulders should be avoided.

(ix) Other restraints

None specified.

XV-7 ANTARCTIC PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM: REDESIGNATION OF SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREA, No. 11 CAPE SHIRREFF, AS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST No. 32

The Representatives,

Recalling Recommendations III-VIII, VIII-3 and VIII-4;

Conscious of the need to facilitate research into important aspects of the Antarctic marine ecosystem;

Noting that there are certain long-term research programmes involving support activities which may not be appropriately provided in a Specially Protected Area, but which need not endanger the Antarctic ecosystem or its components;

Noting further that the degree of environmental protection specified in the management plan of a Site of Special Scientific Interest need not be less than that provided in a Specially Protected Area;

Aware that a management plan for a Site of Special Scientific Interest at Cape Shirreff has been prepared and approved by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR);

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. The inclusion in Annex B, Specially Protected Areas, of the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora of Recommendation IV-11 (Specially Protected Areas: Cape Shirreff) be terminated.

2. The number 11 in Annex B of the Agreed Measures should not be used for another Specially Protected Area.

3. They voluntarily take account of the management plan, annexed to this Recommendation, for Site of Special Scientific Interest No 32, Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.

ANNEX TO RECOMMENDATION XV-7

Cape Shirreff is a low, ice-free peninsula towards the western end of the north coast of Livingston Island, situated at latitude 62°27°S., longitude 60°47°W., between Barclay Bay and Hero Bay. Telmo Island is the largest of a small group of ice-free rock islets, approximately 2 km west of Cape Shirreff.

(i) Description of site

The Site includes the entire area of the Cape Shirreff peninsula north of the glacier ice tongue margin, and most of the Telmo Island group (see map).

(ii) Reason for Designation

The presence of both Antarctic fur seal and penguin breeding colonies, and of krill fisheries within the foraging range of these species, make this a critical site for inclusion in the ecosystem monitoring network being established to help meet the objectives of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The purpose of the designation is to allow planned research and monitoring to proceed, while avoiding or reducing, to the greatest extent possible, other activities which could interfere with or affect the results of the research and monitoring programme or alter the natural features of the Site.

(iii) Outline of research

Long-term studies are being planned better to assess and monitor the feeding ecology, growth and condition, reproductive success, behavior, vital rates, and abundance of pinnipeds and seabirds that breed in the area. The results of these studies will be compared with environmental data, offshore sampling data, and fishery statistics to identify possible cause-effect relationships.

(iv) Date of expiry of designation

31 December 1999

(v) Access points

The Cape Shirreff part of the Site may be entered at any point where pinniped or seabird rookeries are not present on or near the beach. Access to the islands in the Telmo group is unrestricted but should be at the least densely populated areas and cause minimal disturbance to the fauna. Access for other than the aforementioned types of research should avoid disturbing pinnipeds and seabirds.

(vi) Pedestrian and vehicular routes

Boats, helicopters, fixed-winged aircraft and land vehicles should avoid the Site except for operations directly supporting authorized scientific activities. During these operations, boats and aircraft should travel routes that avoid or minimize disturbance of pinnipeds and seabirds. Land vehicles should not be used except to transport needed equipment and supplies to and from the field camp to be established. As far as possible, establishment and resupply of the field camp should be done before or after the pinniped and seabird breeding seasons. Pedestrians should not walk through wildlife population areas, especially during the breeding season, or disturb other fauna or flora except as necessary to conduct authorized research.

(vii) Other kinds of scientific investigations which would not cause harmful interference

Geological, glaciological, and other studies which can be done outside of the pinniped and seabird breeding seasons, and which will not damage or destroy pinniped or seabird breeding areas, or access to those areas, would not adversely affect the planned assessment and monitoring studies. Likewise, the planned assessment and monitoring studies would not be affected adversely by periodic biological surveys or studies of other species which do not result in killing, injuring or disturbing pinnipeds or seabirds, or damage or destroy pinnipeds or seabird breeding areas or access to those areas.

(viii) Scientific sampling

Killing, capturing, handling, photographing, and taking eggs, blood, or other biological samples from pinnipeds and seabirds should be limited to that necessary to characterize and monitor individual and population parameters that may change in detectable ways in response to changes in food availability or other environmental factors. Sampling should be done and reported in accordance with: 1) the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, and 2) the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.

(ix) Other restraints

(a) Only structures directly supporting authorized scientific research and monitoring programmes may be built within the Site to house research personnel and their equipment, and shall be occupied only within the period 1 September to 1 June.

(b) All non-burnable or non-biodegradable materials brought to the Site should be removed when no longer in use. Landfill disposal of non-biodegradable materials, and the burning of non-organic materials, is not permitted.

XV - 8 ANTARCTIC PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM: AGREED MEASURES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ANTARCTIC FAUNA AND FLORA: AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VIII (MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS)

The Representatives,

Noting that under Article VIII of the Agreed Measures:

(i) paragraph 1 provides for designation as Specially Protected Areas, ‘areas of outstanding scientific interest... in order to preserve their unique natural ecological system’;

(ii) paragraph 2(c) provides that entry into a Specially Protected Area is prohibited except in accordance with a permit;

(iii) paragraph 4 provides that such ‘a permit shall have effect within a Specially Protected Area provided that:

(a) it was issued for a compelling scientific purpose which cannot be served elsewhere; and

(b) the actions permitted thereunder will not jeopardise the natural ecological system existing in that Area’;

Noting further that Recommendation VII-2 urges that representative examples of the major Antarctic land and freshwater ecological systems shall be included in the series of Specially Protected Areas;

Desiring to provide for greater certainty in the interpretation of paragraph 4 by means of the application of management plans relevant to each Specially Protected Area;

Recognising that to be fully effective such Management Plans must be accorded the same status as the conditions in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 4;

Recommend to their Governments that:

(i) the following subparagraph be added to paragraph 4 of Article VIII:

‘and (c) the actions permitted thereunder are in accordance with any Management Plan accompanying the description of a Specially Protected Area’;

(ii) subparagraph (a) be amended to remove the word ‘and’; and

(iii) the full stop at the end of subparagraph (b) be changed to a semicolon.

The Representatives,

Recalling that:

(a) the purpose of Specially Protected Areas is to preserve both unique and representative examples of the natural ecological systems of areas which are of outstanding scientific interest; and

(b) the appropriate national authority of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties may issue permits authorizing its nationals to enter Specially Protected Areas for compelling scientific purposes which cannot be served elsewhere;

Noting that the descriptions of Specially Protected Areas in Annex B of the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora do not provide detailed descriptions of the natural ecological systems and components thereof that the Protected Areas are intended to preserve;

Noting also that the descriptions of Specially Protected Areas do not indicate the types of activities that could or could not be carried out in the designated Specially Protected Areas without harming or damaging any of the components of the natural ecological systems that the areas are intended to preserve;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They review the descriptions of Specially Protected Areas in Annex B of the Agreed Measures and, for those Areas which they or their nationals had proposed be listed in the Annex, they provide a more detailed description of the natural ecological system that the Area is intended to preserve and a provisional Area management plan for consideration at the XVIth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting;

2. Future proposals for designating Specially Protected Areas include:

(a) a clear description of the location and the key physical and biological features of the area to be protected, including a description of the markers and/or natural features that delineate the area;

(b) a map and/or photographs showing the boundaries and key features of the proposed Specially Protected Area;

(c) a detailed description of the key components of the unique natural ecological system intended to be preserved by designating the Area as a Specially Protected area;

(d) descriptions of the types of activities (including activities outside the Area) that could jeopardize any of the components of the unique ecological system intended to be preserved; and

(e) descriptions of steps that should be taken to avoid or minimize damage in cases where access to the area may be authorized for a compelling scientific purpose which cannot be served elsewhere;

(f) descriptions of measures necessary to ensure preservation of the area's unique or representative natural ecological systems.

3. They invite SCAR, through their national committees, to have regard to the preceding when considering proposals for Specially Protected Areas; and

4. They annually advise SCAR and the Antarctic Treaty Parties of any activities that they authorized to be conducted in Specially Protected Areas during the preceding year and that they expect to authorize in the next year.

XV - 10 THE ANTARCTIC PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM: ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIALLY RESERVED AREAS (SRAs)

The Representatives,

Recognizing that the increasing number and scope of activities in the Antarctic Treaty area may reduce the unique scientific and other values of Antarctica;

Noting that the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora established a mechanism to designate Specially Protected Areas to preserve the unique natural ecological systems of areas of outstanding scientific interest;

Noting also that neither the Agreed Measures nor other Recommendations adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties provide a specified mechanism for identifying and protecting areas of outstanding geological, glaciological, geomorphological, aesthetic, scenic, or wilderness value;

Recalling that Recommendation VII-2 calls upon the Antarctic Treaty Parties to include in the series of Specially Protected Areas listed in Annex B of the Agreed Measures:

(a) representative examples of the major Antarctic land and fresh water ecological systems;

(b) areas with unique complexes of species;

(c) areas which are the type locality or only known habitat of any plant or invertebrate species;

(d) areas which contain specially interesting breeding-colonies of birds or mammals; and

(e) areas which should be kept inviolate so that in the future they may be used for purposes of comparison with localities that have been disturbed by man;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They undertake a continuing review of the geographical features and uses of Antarctica and, as appropriate propose designating areas of outstanding geological, glaciological, geomorphological, aesthetic, scenic, or wilderness value as Specially Reserved Areas (SRAs).

2. Proposals for designation of Specially Reserved Areas shall be accompanied by a proposed management plan which shall include:

(a) a clear description of the location and the key features of the proposed SRA, including a description of the markers and/or natural features that delineate the area;

(b) a map and/or photographs showing the boundaries and key features of the proposed SRA;

(c) the rationale for the proposed listing;

(d) descriptions of the types of activities that could be conducted in or near the proposed SRA without jeopardizing the special values intended to be protected;

(e) descriptions of the types of activities (including activities outside the SRA) that could adversely affect the special values intended to be protected; and

(f) descriptions of steps that should be taken to minimize impacts in cases where access to the SRA is authorized;

3. In due course, they include in the series of Specially Reserved Areas representative examples of the major geological, glaciological, and geomorphological features of Antarctica, and representative examples of areas of outstanding aesthetic, scenic, and wilderness value.

4. Entry into Specially Reserved Areas be prohibited, except for the purposes authorized in the approved management plan for the area or in accordance with a permit issued by the appropriate national authority for a compelling scientific purpose which cannot be served elsewhere, and which will not adversely affect the natural features intended to be protected by the SRA. 5. They invite SCAR, through their national committees, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and, as appropriate, other components of the Antarctic Treaty system to review and comment on proposals before they are considered by the Consultative Parties.

6. They annually advise SCAR and each other of activities that they authorized to be conducted in Specially Reserved Areas during the preceding year, and that they expect to authorize in the following year.

XV - 11 ANTARCTIC PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM: ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTIPLE-USE PLANNING AREAS (MPAs)

The Representatives,

Desiring to protect and maintain the unique biological, geological, glaciological, geomorphological, ecological, scientific, historic, aesthetic, scenic and wilderness values of Antarctica;

RecallingRecommendation XIII-5 inviting the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to offer advice on the system of protected areas in the Antarctic;

Noting that SCAR's response to Recommendation XIII-5, provided in its report ‘The Protected Area System in the Antarctic’, recommended among other things that the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties create an additional category of protected area where coordinated management of activities would minimize harmful environmental impacts so as not to detract from the values for which the area was designated;

Recalling the importance of preserving the freedom of scientific research guaranteed by the Antarctic Treaty;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They take cooperative action to ensure that ongoing and planned human activities in Antarctica, through their combined or cumulative effects, do not result in mutual interference or in adverse impacts upon the Antarctic environment.

2. As one means to this end, they designate, where appropriate, Multiple-Use Planning Areas (MPAs) to assist in coordinating human activities in those areas where such activities pose identified risks of mutual interference or cumulative environmental impacts.

3. The number and size of MPAs be kept to the minimum necessary to meet the objectives set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2. 4. Each Multiple-use Planning Area shall be designated pursuant to a management plan developed through consultations, as appropriate, among interested Parties and approved by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties. Such plan shall, as appropriate, include:

(a) a description of the purposes and objectives of the management plan;

(b) a description of the area to which its provisions apply;

(c) a description of ongoing and planned human activities, including the operation of research stations and related logistics activities;

(d) identification of any Specially Protected Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Specially Reserved Areas (SRAs), and Historic Monuments (HMs) within the MPA;

(e) a description of the environmental characteristics and features and subjects of current and planned scientific research, if any, threatened by interference by ongoing or planned human activities or their cumulative impacts;

(f) specific measures to avoid or minimize mutual interference and cumulative impacts, including where necessary measures applicable to:

(i) construction and operation of stations and related logistic support facilities;

(ii) vessel operations, including identification of areas which are unsafe for navigation, designation of safe anchorages and sea lanes or channels for safe access to stations;

(iii) small boat operations, including maintenance and discharge control, and identification of areas where operations should be prohibited (except for essential research);

(iv) aircraft and helicopter operations, including designation of safe landing areas, and identification of areas where operations below a designated altitude should be prohibited;

(v) vehicle operations, including maintenance and discharge controls and identification of areas which are unsafe or unsuitable for operation;

(vi) scientific research activities, including means to ensure the availability of up-to-date information about the nature and location of ongoing or planned field work, and means to prevent disturbance of organisms or features being studied by various investigators;

(vii) visitors, including designation of areas within which access by tourists or other visitors should be limited or prohibited, and/or as areas to which such access might be directed to obtain maximum benefit from exposure to the characteristics of the area;

(viii) information, including means to ensure that all individuals present or intending to be present within the MPA, are fully aware of the provisions of the management plan, as well as other relevant measures adopted by Consultative Parties (e.g. provisions governing access to scientific stations);

(ix) notification, as far in advance as possible, by each party of research and other activities which it or its nationals intend to carry out in the MPA, including copies of any necessary permits issued;

(x) annual reports by each party of activities it or its nationals carried out in the MPA management plan and any instances of possible violations of the management plan;

(g) provisions for periodically reviewing the plan to identify changes that may be necessary to take account of changing circumstances or better to accomplish their purposes.

5. They invite SCAR, through their national committees, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and, as appropriate, other components of the Antarctic Treaty system to review and comment on proposed management plans for Multiple-Use Planning Areas before designation is considered by the Consultative Parties.

6. They periodically review management plans to ensure that they are being implemented effectively and, as appropriate, approve proposed changes necessary to take account of changing circumstances or better to accomplish their purposes.

The Representatives,

Recalling Recommendations I-IX, V-4, VI-14, VII-9, XII-7 and XIII-16 and XIV-S. Recommend to their Governments that the following historic monuments be added to the ‘List of Historic Monuments Identified and Described by the Proposing Government or Governments’ annexed to Recommendation VII-9 and that thereafter they be accorded the respect and protection required by the Recommendations recalled above:

54. Richard E. Byrd Historic Monument, McMurdo Station, Antarctica (77°51°S., 166°40°E.). Bronze bust on black marble, 5 ft high x 2 ft square, on wood platform, bearing inscriptions describing the polar achievements of Richard Evelyn Byrd. Erected at McMurdo Station in 1965. 55. East Base, Antarctica, Stonington Island (68°11°S., 67°00°W.). Buildings and artefacts at East Base, Stonington Island and their immediate environs. These structures were erected and used during two U.S. wintering expeditions: the Antarctic Service Expedition (1939-1941) and the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (1947-1948). The size of the historic area is approximately 1,000 meters in the north-south direction (from the beach to Northeast Glacier adjacent to Back Bay) and approximately 500 meters in the east-west direction.

XV - 13 ANTARCTIC PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM: HISTORIC SITES AND MONUMENTS (AMENDMENT TO DESCRIPTION OF HM 53) The Representatives,

Recalling that Historic Monument No. 53 was added to the list of Historic Monuments annexed to Recommendation VII-9, and that this Historic Monument celebrates the rescue by the Chilean pilot Luis Pardo Villalon of the survivors of the British vessel ‘Endurance’ in 1916 and consists of a monolith placed on Elephant Island with replica monoliths placed at the Chilean stations ‘Arturo Prat’ on Greenwich Island and ‘Rodolpho Marsh’ on King George Island;

Noting that during the XXIVth Chilean Antarctic Scientific Expedition in 1987-1988, a bronze bust of the pilot Pardo was placed on each of these monoliths;

Recommend to their Governments that:

The following clause be added at the end of the description of Historic Monument No. 53 in Recommendation XIV8:

‘Bronze busts of the pilot Luis Pardo Villalon were placed on the three above-mentioned monoliths during the XXIVth Chilean Antarctic Scientific Expedition in 1987-1988.’

The Representatives,

Recommend to their Governments that they approve the following declaration on scientific research in Antarctica:

The Governments participating in the XVth Consultative Meeting:

Deeply aware of the role that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean play in interactive physical, chemical and biological processes that regulate the total Earth System;

Recognizing that,

(a) the Antarctic region has a high negative radiation budget and so acts as one of the Earth's ‘refrigerators’. Any changes in the budget will have global consequences on atmospheric and oceanic circulation;

(b) conditions beneath the ice shelves and the girdle of sea ice promote the formation of cold bottom water that drains northward;

(c) polar seas play an especially important role in the exchange of CO2 between ocean and atmosphere since they may be large sinks for CO2. These processes are controlled by the sea-ice formation, thermohaline convection and biological productivity;

(d) Antarctica provides unique conditions for investigating the impact of man-made pollutants on atmospheric ozone;

(e) a detailed record of past global climate and atmospheric chemistry extending over hundreds of millennia is preserved within the Antarctic ice sheet, and in the sediments of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic continent;

(f) because climate change is predicted to be largest at high latitudes, detection of such change above the background of high natural variability is best sought in the polar regions;

(g) plant communities existing under polar conditions are sensitive to changes in temperature, and may be good indicators of climate change;

(h) the Antarctic ice sheet contains enough water to raise global sea level world-wide some 60 metres. Any green-house climate warning which makes even a small change to this volume of ice will have a significant impact on sea level;

Recognizing, with appreciation, that the contribution that Antarctic science can make to these scientific questions is the subject of intensive work within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and that they have identified the following five major, interconnected, interdisciplinary research thrusts for the purpose of defining and encompassing research priorities:

(a) Detection of Changes of Global Importance Best Observed in Antarctica;

(b) Processes Linking Antarctic Ice and Biological Systems to the Global Ocean and Atmosphere;

(c) Antarctic Sources of Palaeoenvironmental Information;

(d) Ecology in the Changing Antarctic Environment;

(e) Monitoring Changes in Antarctica;

Recognising, moreover, that other scientific programmes which are not so directly relevant to issues of global change are of no less value to science;

Conscious of the need to ensure that all Antarctic activity is based on information adequate to ensure that informed judgements can be made about their environmental consequences;

Renew their commitment to the pursuit of scientific research in the Antarctic; and

Declare their intent:

1. Vigorously to pursue scientific research programmes in Antarctica in a manner which makes the most productive use of the resources available.

2. To ensure that their scientific endeavors contribute as much as possible to programmes of global significance being undertaken or being prepared by the International Council of Scientific Unions and by other international organisations.

3. To ensure that research results and observations are, in accordance with Article III of the Antarctic Treaty, made freely available and that the results of Antarctic programmes of global significance are brought to the attention of the international scientific community as rapidly as possible.

4. To ensure that activities in the Antarctic take full account of the global importance of the Antarctic as a scientific laboratory and as a place where aspects of global changes can most readily be monitored.

5. To ensure, in conformity with the declaration in Recommendation IX-5 on the Antarctic environment, that all Antarctic activity is based on information adequate to ensure that informed judgements can be made about their environmental consequences.

The Representatives,

Recalling Articles II and III of the Antarctic Treaty and Recommendations relating to the facilitation of international scientific cooperation;

Recognising the increasing importance of Antarctica for scientific research, especially for the global environment;

Noting that the number of countries actively involved in Antarctic scientific research has increased considerably in recent years;

Recognising that this development has led to a concentration of research stations and of logistical support facilities in the more easily accessible regions of Antarctica and that this can lead to redundancy in scientific programmes and to unfavorable impact on the environment;

Conscious of the need to maximise the scientific output for a minimum of environmental impact;

Conscious that the sophistication and therefore the cost of many Antarctic scientific programmes is increasing and that some Consultative Parties are more able than others to bear the cost of such sophisticated programmes;

Recognising the scientific importance of environmental monitoring programmes in the broadest sense and that without these programmes many advances in Antarctic science which are of global significance would not be possible;

Recognising the need to encourage timeliness, relevance and excellence in the pursuit of Antarctic science and the importance of inter-comparability and accuracy in integrated research programmes to the end that the contributions to knowledge of these programmes may be greater than the sum of their constituent parts;

Desiring to promote efficiency in the utilisation of scarce resources;

Noting that the promotion of international scientific cooperation in Antarctic research is the basic objective of SCAR's activities and warmly welcoming SCAR's commitment to the holding of an unprecedented Antarctic Science Conference in 1991 designed to foster interdisciplinary discussion and science planning amongst Antarctic scientists, and the integration of Antarctic research into global programmes and the strengthening of the interaction of Antarctic science, represented by SCAR, with the international science community;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They take such steps as may be open to them to encourage participation in the SCAR Antarctic Science Conference in 1991 on the part of their Antarctic communities and take note of its results.

2. All Contracting Parties, in planning Antarctic activities, should seek through consultation within the Antarctic science community, to take account of the scientific objectives of SCAR. 3. Through their national committees, they invite SCAR to:

(a) facilitate the participation in its activities of representatives from Antarctic scientific communities with less experience or fewer resources; and

(b) consider identifying by scientific discipline and geographical area, scientific topics, including data gathering and environmental monitoring, by which countries with less experience or fewer resources would best be able to ensure that their activity contributed to knowledge of Antarctica to the benefit of all.

4. That those with longer and wider experience of Antarctic science and logistics should, as far as practicable and feasible, favorably consider requests for advice, training and participation in their national Antarctic programmes from those with less experience and otherwise encourage cooperation with their programmes.

5. Generally, they should seek by all means open to them to promote the objectives of Article III of the Antarctic Treaty.

The Representatives,

Recalling:

(a) Article III (1) (c) of the Antarctic Treaty calling on Parties to exchange and make freely available scientific observations and results from Antarctica;

(b) Recommendation XIII-5 inviting the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to offer scientific advice on how to improve the comparability and accessibility of Antarctic scientific data; and

(c) that the Report of the XIVth Consultative Meeting identified determination of types of useful data for management and assessment and the development of a directory as two important initial steps to improve data comparability and accessibility;

Noting that:

(a) the Report of XX SCAR responds to Recommendation XIII-5 by describing several steps needed for the establishment of an Antarctic data system and by calling for the establishment of a committee on data management to advise on the development of such a system;

(b) SCAR has established such a committee with the following terms of reference;

(i) to determine the requirements within SCAR for a coordinated approach to data;

(ii) to consider the possible compilation of a SCAR directory of available items, data bases, geographical information systems, data centers, specimen holdings, relevant archives and bibliographic collections;

(iii) to consider the formation of guidelines for common or minimum formats for data collection and archiving; and

(iv) to suggest areas for coordination with external activities or organisations;

(c) the Report of XX SCAR identifies the development of national directories of Antarctic data as the logical first step in the development of a data system;

Desiring:

(a) to improve the accessibility and comparability of Antarctic scientific data to help give effect to Article III (1) (c) of the Antarctic Treaty; and

(b) to create an Antarctic scientific data system for use in facilitating environmental assessment and monitoring and the promotion of scientific research;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They develop and make available to SCAR and other Antarctic Treaty Parties a directory listing where and in what format Antarctic scientific data now exist.

2. They agree, working in cooperation with the SCAR Committee to compile an Antarctic Scientific Data Directory.

3. They agree to assist the SCAR Committee to develop a programme of work describing further steps needed to create an Antarctic Scientific and Environmental Data System, including consideration of relevant technologies.

4. Upon completion of the draft programme of work developed by SCAR, in cooperation with relevant governmental experts, they convene, in accordance with Recommendation IV-24, a Meeting of Experts, with expertise in data management, to consider how to establish an Antarctic Scientific and Environmental Data system.

The Representatives,

Reaffirming that freedom of scientific investigation as set out in Article II of the Antarctic Treaty is one of the fundamental principles of the Treaty;

Affirming that measures adopted in this Recommendation are not intended to interfere with the possibility of a non-Consultative Party establishing a station in Antarctica but to ensure that such Parties may maximize their contribution to knowledge and the protection of the Antarctic;

Recalling Recommendations I-I, VI-4, VII-1, VIII-11, VIII-13, IX-5, XII-3, and XIV-2;

Recalling that at the XIIIth Consultative Meeting, Recommendation XIII-6 was adopted, calling for consultations between nations with Antarctic programmes operating existing stations in the same vicinity;

Recalling that the Final Report of the XIVth Consultative Meeting notes that:

(a) new stations had a greater possibility of maximizing their scientific potential if established in the widest possible range of areas;

(b) SCAR had:

(i) recorded its concern that the continued increase in the number of stations in some parts of the Antarctic could result in unproductive duplication of scientific programmes; and

(ii) recommended that adequate prior notice be given of intent to undertake a development or scientific activity that is likely to have a major environmental impact; and

(c) a process of consultation was needed which started as early as possible in the planning stage of the new station and continued through subsequent stages, including the development and implementation of routine operations;

Recognizing that the establishment of a new station or major logistic support facility is an activity which is likely to have more than a minor or transitory effect on the environment and is therefore subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation procedure described in Recommendation XIV-2;

Bearing in mind that while the establishment in the same vicinity of scientific research stations and logistic support facilities may favour scientific co-operation and the functioning of these stations, excessive concentration of such installations may have a negative effect on scientific activities and on the environment;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They urge Contracting Parties, when considering the establishment of new stations or facilities, to take the following measures to avoid excessive concentration in Antarctica of such stations or facilities:

(a) as early as possible when considering the establishment of a new station or facility in the vicinity of one or more existing stations or facilities, Contracting Parties should initiate, through their national Antarctic programme, a process of consultations, co-ordination and possible cooperation with the other national Antarctic programme or programmes concerned;

(b) they should continue this process through the subsequent stages, including the development and implementation of routine logistic operations, with a view to minimizing both interference with existing programmes and impact on the environment.

(c) before establishing a new station or facility, Contracting Parties should prepare a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation in accordance with Recommendation XIV-2. 2. In the case of a station or facility which the national Antarctic programme of a non-Consultative Party proposes to establish, they offer assistance to the managers of that programme with respect to the choice of site and the preparation of the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation, with a view to maximizing the scientific output of the new programme and minimizing its environmental impact.

The Representatives,

Recalling Article II of the Antarctic Treaty and the Recommendations relating to cooperation in Antarctic logistics (II-5, III-3, IV-25) as well as Recommendation XIV-10 on the marine meteorological and sea ice information service;

Having regard to the continuing occurrence of hazardous situations leading to loss of or damage to ships in the Treaty Area,

Noting the report of a SCAR/WMO/IOC group of experts meeting;

Taking into account the results of discussion on Recommendation XIV-9 concerning air safety in Antarctica, revealing the urgent necessity to improve meteorological information for flights in the area of the Antarctic;

Wishing to act to increase the efficiency and safety of maritime and air navigation in the Treaty area on the basis of international cooperation;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They continue to consider ways of developing and improving meteorological and sea ice information services for maritime and air navigation in the Antarctic Treaty area;

2. The report of the Leningrad group of experts meeting be referred to the WMO Working Group on Antarctic Meteorology for formal consideration and comment at its next meeting.

3. Upon completion of the review by the WMO Working Group on Antarctic Meteorology the matter be considered by COMNAP, in association with SCAR, for the purpose of recommending any appropriate further joint, or individual action to the next Consultative Meeting.

4. In order to assist in improving meteorological services to maritime and air navigation, they take prompt measures to participate in the IGOSS, drifting-buoy and automatic weather station programmes to provide maximum data for international exchange and operational use.

The Representatives,

Recognising the importance and historical values of activities carried out by the countries who developed the present knowledge of Antarctic hydrography;

Aware that there have been significant increases in both the number and size of vessels operating in Antarctic waters in recent years;

Recognising that severe environmental conditions in the Antarctic give rise to particular risks for shipping and hydrographic activities;

Recognising that the sea ice conditions can lead to the diversion of shipping from acknowledged routes, thus requiring the extension of charting into waters contiguous to such routes;

Conscious that the safety of life at sea and the protection of the Antarctic marine environment and dependent and associated ecosystems requires that the Consultative Parties should take all possible steps open to them, by improving the charting of Antarctic waters, to ensure the safety of navigation so that maritime accidents are reduced to a minimum;

Recognising that the resources available to devote to hydrographic surveys and the accurate positioning and depiction of the Antarctic coastline are scarce;

Conscious of the benefits to be gained by making provision for international cooperation between those countries which undertake hydrographic surveys and nautical charting of Antarctic waters and of utilising to the maximum extent cooperative arrangements which already exist routinely between hydrographic offices and; therefore, of the need to avoid the establishment of a parallel system;

Aware of the role traditionally played by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in contributing to cooperation between hydrographic offices, and by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in all cartographic and other scientific activities in Antarctica;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They increase their mutual cooperation in the hydrographic survey and charting of Antarctic waters in order to contribute to the safety of navigation, the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems, and for scientific purposes.

2. For the purposes of hydrographic survey and charting and associated terrestrial surveys and mapping, they coordinate their activities within the framework of IMO and SCAR, as appropriate.

The Representatives,

Recalling Recommendations I-X and XIV-9;

Recognising the importance of ensuring safe air operations in the Antarctic, and:

(a) that there is a wide range of problems in air operations which are becoming more urgent with increasing activity;

(b) that the principal body of knowledge and experience of Antarctic air operations, and its current problems, lies with the operators of national Antarctic programmes;

Noting, with appreciation, the Report of the Meeting of Experts on Air Safety in Antarctica, held in Paris from 2 to 5 May 1989;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. For the purpose of ensuring that measures for improved air safety apply to all flights in Antarctica, measures to improve air safety set out in paragraphs 2-10 below should be elaborated on the basis of ICAO criteria, taking due account of the specific features of Antarctica as well as of existing practices and services.

2. For the purpose of ensuring the safety of air operations in the Antarctic Treaty area, they exchange, preferably by 1 September and no later than 1 November each year, information about their planned air operations in accordance with the standardized format at Annex 1 to this Recommendation.

3. For the purpose of improving air safety in Antarctica, national Antarctic programmes operating aircraft in Antarctica and their aircrews should be provided with a continuously updated compendium (‘Handbook’) describing ground facilities, aircraft and aircraft operating procedures (including helicopters) and associated communications facilities operated by each national Antarctic programme (out of the use of which questions of liability will not arise) and, therefore, they should:

(a) prepare such a Handbook as a matter of urgency;

(b) facilitate the preparation of such a Handbook by their national Antarctic programme operators by collective action through the medium of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) federated to SCAR;

(c) adopt a loose-leaf format in which information provided by each national operator is kept separate (unless facilities are jointly operated) so as to facilitate updating of information;

(d) request their national Antarctic operators to provide information for the purpose of compiling the Handbook in accordance with Annex 2 to this Recommendation.

4. For the purpose of ensuring mutual awareness of current air operations and exchanging information about them, they should designate:

(a) Primary Air Information Stations (PAIS) which coordinate their own air information and information from their Secondary Air Information Stations (if any) for the purpose of notifying current air operations to other PAIS. These PAIS should have adequate communication facilities able to transmit ‘hard copy’ information by means of an agreed HF data mode and/or INMARSAT; and

(b) Secondary Air Information Stations (SAIS) which comprise stations/bases (including field bases and ships) which provide air information to their parent coordinating PAIS. 5. For the purpose of avoiding air incidents in areas beyond the range of VHF radio coverage of primary and secondary stations, aircraft outside the areas covered by primary and secondary stations should use a specific radio frequency to apply the ‘TIBA’ procedure laid down in Annex 11 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

6. So as to ensure compliance with Article VII, paragraph 5 of the Antarctic Treaty and also Recommendation X-8, Part IV, they should keep one another informed about non-governmental flights and a reminder of the above provisions should be given to all pilots filing a flight plan for flights to Antarctica.

7. So as to provide for the improved collection from, and exchange within Antarctica of meteorological data and information of significance to the safety of Antarctic air operations, they should:

(a) encourage the World Meteorological Organisation in their work towards this end; and

(b) take steps to improve meteorological services available in Antarctica, specifically to meet aviation requirements.

8. For the purpose of ensuring effective communications between Primary Air Information Stations (PAIS), they ensure that their PAIS have adequate facilities for communicating with other PAIS, and that, in this connection, they bear in mind the INMARSAT system.

9. For the purpose of locating aircraft in distress in Antarctica, and noting the possibilities offered by the COSPAS-SARSAT system for the location of Emergency-Locator-Beacons-Aircraft transmitting on 406 Mhz, they designate points of contact which are to be the addressees of emergency location messages relating to air operations in Antarctica generated by the COSPAS-SARSAT system.

10. For the purpose of enhancing the safety of operation of aircraft in the longer term, studies should be undertaken, at a suitable time, aimed at making use of a satellite communication and navigation system being developed within the framework of ICAO.

 EXPLANATORY NOTES on the Procedure for the Exchange of Information on Planned Air Operations in Antarctica

In accordance with discussions at the 1988 Hobart Meeting of MNAP's and SCAR Working Group on Logistics, and Proposal 2 of the 1989 Paris Meeting of Experts on Air Safety, it was agreed that Antarctic Operators would exchange information on their planned air operations in a standardised format by 1 September each year.

The format for presenting the information is given in the attachments to this document.

Please note:

1. All Operators are to complete the ‘Advance Notice’ cover sheet whether or not they plan to undertake air operations in the forthcoming summer season.

2. Operators who do plan to conduct air operations during the forthcoming summer season are to complete the ‘Advance Notice’ cover sheet and the applicable information sheets as follows:

- Intercontinental Operations (Sheet 1);

- Continental Operations (Sheet 2);

- Ship Based Operations (Sheet 3);

- Other Airborne Operations (Sheet 4); and

- Aircraft Description (Sheet 5).

3. Flight Level or Altitude information is to be provided as follows:

- For inter or intra continental flights, and flights remote from stations, specify the normal operating Flight Level for the aircraft (which would be based on the Standard Pressure altimeter setting of 1013.2 hPa).

- For flights operating within the vicinity of stations (up to 50 nm radius), specify normal operating Altitude or altitude range for the aircraft (which would be based on the local QNH altimeter setting).

Notes:

(a) A transition altitude and level for Antarctic flights has not yet been agreed.

(b) A table of standard en route cruising levels for vertical separation based on direction of track (true or grid) has not yet been agreed.

(c) The ICAO standard altitude in both metres and feet for each flight level will apply.

4. All flight times (for example, for balloon launches) are to be given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

5. The ‘Exchange of Information Sheets’ should preferably be completed in the English language.

1. GENERAL (arranged by the name of countries in their internationally accepted order in the language of the document).

1.1

The postal address of the National Antarctic Operator including telephone, telex and telefax numbers;

1.2

An indicative description of the parts of the Antarctic Treaty Area in which the operators' aircraft operates;

1.2.1

frequently

1.2.2

infrequently (Maps may be used where this would facilitate understanding of the description).

1.3

The primary station (PAIS) or stations from which the national operator co-ordinates his aircraft operations;

1.3.1

the role played by the operators' secondary stations (PAIS).

1.4

Ships carrying helicopters or which have designated on board facilities for operating helicopters.

2. GROUND FACILITIES (arranged by the alphabetical order of the name of each station. All stations and field camps are to be included which operate for more than one Antarctic summer season).

2.1

Runways, skiways and helipads (Information to be provided using paragraphs 2-43 of section 2.2. of Appendix I to Annex 15 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation as a guideline).

2.2

Communications (Information to be provided using paragraphs 2-14 of section 3.2 and paragraphs 2-10 of section 3.3 of Appendix I to Annex 15 as a guideline).

2.3

Meteorology (Information to be provided using paragraphs 2-11 of section 4.2. of the Appendix I to Annex 15 as a guideline).

2.4

Aircraft operating procedures.

2.5

Alerting and search and rescue procedures.

The Representatives,

Considering that the ice existing in Antarctica represents the world's largest freshwater reserve;

Noting that, technological developments might one day make it possible to utilize icebergs detached from the continent for freshwater requirements, especially in coastal areas;

Recalling the principles enshrined in the Antarctic Treaty, which lay down a regime for international co-operation guaranteeing that Antarctica shall continue for ever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord;

Convinced that the structure established under the Antarctic Treaty has proved effective in promoting international peace, in keeping with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter;

Concerned that uncontrolled activities relating to the exploitation of Antarctic icebergs could also have an adverse effect on the unique Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems;

Noting that sufficient scientific information is not yet available on the environment impacts, including global climate and weather, which might occur in the event of floating icebergs being used for that purpose;

Noting that the harvesting of ice in the coastal regions of Antarctica, especially if this were to require land-based installations, could give rise to a number of additional environmental or other issues;

Acknowledging that the Antarctic Treaty is the most appropriate framework for fostering international efforts to guarantee the protection of the environment and give impetus to the freedom of scientific research and co-operation in Antarctica;

Recognizing the desirability that commercial exploitation of Antarctic ice not occur, in any case, prior to examination by the Contracting Parties to the Antarctic Treaty of the issues posed by such activity;

Recommend to their Governments that:

1. They exchange information on the feasibility of commercial exploitation of icebergs, relevant technologies and possible environmental impacts.

2. Through their national committees, they invite SCAR to provide advice, as appropriate, on the above-mentioned matters, and continue to co-ordinate research programmes in polar glaciology, biology, oceanography, and meteorology in relation to Antarctic ice.

3. They include an item on ‘Use of Antarctic Ice’ on the agenda of the XVIth Consultative Meeting.

The Representatives,

Recommend to their Governments that;

1. On the occasion of the Thirtieth Anniversary of the entry into force of the Antarctic Treaty, each Consultative Party should issue a commemorative stamp (or stamps) on a common date in 1991 (Eg. 23 June 1991).

2. The stamp (or stamps) should bear, in the language or languages of each issuing country, the following words:

‘Antarctic Treaty 1961-1991’.

3. Consideration be given to the themes of protecting the Antarctic environment and international cooperation in Antarctic scientific research for the most prominent features of the design.

4. There should be incorporated into the design of the stamp (or stamps), the Antarctic Treaty emblem representing a map of Antarctica which appears on the official documents of Consultative Meetings.

5. Any additional matter should be consonant with the provisions and the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.

6. The number of stamps to be issued and the denominations of the stamp or stamps should remain at the discretion of the issuing country.