Antarctica's governance (treaties and organisations)

Question 1

when was the Antarctic treaty system signed

Answer 1

1959

Question 2

how many countries have signed the Antarctic treaty system

Answer 2

52 (including the UK and USA)

Question 3

what does ASOC stand for

Answer 3

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

Question 4

what is ASOC

Answer 4

an NGO

Question 5

ASOCs council consists of over how many member organisations

Answer 5

30

Question 6

what is the benefit of ASOC being an NGO

Answer 6

they do not speak on behalf of governments but simply in the best interest of Antarctica and its ecosystem

Question 7

when was ASOC created

Answer 7

mid 1970s

Question 8

what does ASOCs current work involve

Answer 8

providing information on how to protect the Antarctic environment to treaty parties
report back to the public on the progress/lack of on key conservation issues
asoc campaigners are experts in their subject areas and the papers they produce are widely respected and cited
enhance public awareness

Question 9

what is ASOCs role in the Antarctic treaty system

Answer 9

they are an environmental observer so provide information to governments and represent the global conservation community

Question 10

how effective are ASOC in monitoring threats and protecting Antarctica

Answer 10

very effective, particularly due to their status as an NGO, their team of experts and legislation.
also involved in enforcing the legislation

Question 11

example of organisation ASOC recently set up and what it does

Answer 11

Members of International Maritime Organisation (IMO)- which from 2017 will introduce mandatory safety and pollution prevention measures for cruise ships and large cargo ships

Question 12

negative impact of ASOC being an NGO

Answer 12

have no political backing - so when it comes down to it there is no outright political support for the legislation they pass unless they are able to convince key governments

Question 13

what are ASOC campaigning to do in the Ross Sea and why

Answer 13

campaigning for it to be declared an MPA (Marine Protected Area) as it is one of the last remaining stretches of ocean on earth that has not been harmed by human activity

Question 14

what area of Antarctica does the Antarctic treaty not cover

Answer 14

the sea

Question 15

what governs the ATS

Answer 15

Antarctic treaty consultative meetings- holds annual meetings

Question 16

the ATS is a combination of

Answer 16

the Antarctic treaty and other related systems

Question 17

examples of articles (terms) within the Antarctic treaty

Answer 17

treaty nations will exchange plans for their scientific programs (means no conflict or unnecessary experiments)
nuclear explosions banned
national laws do not apply to stations or areas, but only to the citizens of those countries

Question 18

has any party called to have the treaty review

Answer 18

no- in the original treaty it said that any party could call for a review after the expiration of 30 years but no party has done so

Question 19

when was the Antarctic treaty put in place

Answer 19

1961

Question 20

what is the IWC

Answer 20

international whaling commission

Question 21

what did the IWC put in place in 1982

Answer 21

a global whaling moratorium (a moratorium is a law imposed by something other than a governing body)

Question 22

what is the benefit of a total ban on whaling

Answer 22

easy to see when a country is breaking the law - there is no confusion as it is outright banned. everyone loses out equally

Question 23

reasons the moratorium was required

Answer 23

by 1970 the total number of blue whales had decreased to less than 6,000- if hunting had continued they would have gone extinct

Question 24

how effective has the southern ocean whale sanctuary been in stopping Antarctic whaling (how it HAS been effective)

Answer 24

protects the entirety of the area around Antarctica
ecotourism provides economic benefits to those who rely on whales for an income
raise awareness for whaling

Question 25

how effective has the southern ocean whale sanctuary been in stopping Antarctic whaling (how it HAS NOT been effective)

Answer 25

Is not law doesn't provide sanctuary for whales outside of that area doesn't prevent 'scientific' whaling japan completely ignored it no large body behind it- cant be properly enforced has to be kept up to date as whales migrate

Question 26

what is SCAR

Answer 26

scientific committee on Antarctic research

Question 27

what does SCAR provide

Answer 27

provides international independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and other bodies

Question 28

what type of organisation is the IWC

Answer 28

a governmental organisation

Question 29

key features of the international convention for the regulation of whaling

Answer 29

``` conserving whale stocks stops commercial whaling allows scientific whaling assists with the whale tourism industry sets up whale sanctuary ```

Question 30

when was the madrid protocol put in place

Answer 30

1991

Question 31

how many countries have signed the madrid agreement

Answer 31

34

Question 32

what is the focus of the madrid protocol

Answer 32

environmental protection

Question 33

5 key focus points of the madrid protocol

Answer 33

``` no mining clean up sites no plastics/waste disposal and management no marine pollution no taking animals and plants ```

Question 34

positives of the madrid protocol (4)

Answer 34

high standard of implementation committee for environmental protection (CEP) involves regular meetings parties have to report annually and give reports on treaty implementation- high level of transparency covers a wide range of aspects

Question 35

negatives of the Madrid protocol (3)

Answer 35

is in place until 2048 (30 years)- law may then be changed or completely abolished not focussed on one thing- reduced effectiveness ambiguity on a number of the key terms means it is regularly exploited by treaty parties - undermines goal of the entire protocol

Question 36

when was the conservation of Antarctic seals put in place

Answer 36

1972

Question 37

the conservation of Antarctic seals is also included in what treaty

Answer 37

the Antarctic treaty

Question 38

how many countries signed the conservation of Antarctic seals

Answer 38

12- but as it is part of the Antarctic treaty countries within the treaty are expected to adhere to it as well

Question 39

key aims of the conservation of Antarctic seals

Answer 39

promote and achieve the objectives of protection, scientific study and rational use of Antarctic seals to maintain a satisfactory balance within the ecological system

Question 40

what percentage of the world's fur seals does Antarctica have

Answer 40

33%

Question 41

the conservation of Antarctic seals is designed to prevent what

Answer 41

stop sealing from reoccurring and the killing of both Ross and Antarctic fur seals is strictly prohibited

Question 42

positives of the conservation of Antarctic seals

Answer 42

all 6 seals that breed in Antarctica are covered (before the law they didn't have protection)

Question 43

drawbacks of the conservation of Antarctic seals

Answer 43

the specificity of the convention - only focusses on seals in the Antarctic so other species and seals outside of the Antarctic are not covered

Question 44

what does CCAMLR stand for

Answer 44

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Question 45

aims of the CCAMLR

Answer 45

conserve marine life in the southern ocean includes preserving species of fin fish, crustaceans, birds, etc specifically does not include seals or whales (already covered)

Question 46

achievements of the CCAMLR

Answer 46

management decisions take into account the impact on the ecosystem recognised internationally

Question 47

drawbacks of the CCAMLR

Answer 47

still only focussed on certain marine life, not the ecosystem as a whole