Antarctica's governance (treaties and organisations) Flashcards
when was the Antarctic treaty system signed
1959
how many countries have signed the Antarctic treaty system
52 (including the UK and USA)
what does ASOC stand for
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
what is ASOC
an NGO
ASOCs council consists of over how many member organisations
30
what is the benefit of ASOC being an NGO
they do not speak on behalf of governments but simply in the best interest of Antarctica and its ecosystem
when was ASOC created
mid 1970s
what does ASOCs current work involve
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
what is ASOCs role in the Antarctic treaty system
they are an environmental observer so provide information to governments and represent the global conservation community
how effective are ASOC in monitoring threats and protecting Antarctica
very effective, particularly due to their status as an NGO, their team of experts and legislation.
also involved in enforcing the legislation
example of organisation ASOC recently set up and what it does
Members of International Maritime Organisation (IMO)- which from 2017 will introduce mandatory safety and pollution prevention measures for cruise ships and large cargo ships
negative impact of ASOC being an NGO
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
what are ASOC campaigning to do in the Ross Sea and why
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
what area of Antarctica does the Antarctic treaty not cover
the sea
what governs the ATS
Antarctic treaty consultative meetings- holds annual meetings
the ATS is a combination of
the Antarctic treaty and other related systems
examples of articles (terms) within the Antarctic treaty
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
has any party called to have the treaty review
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
when was the Antarctic treaty put in place
1961
what is the IWC
international whaling commission
what did the IWC put in place in 1982
a global whaling moratorium (a moratorium is a law imposed by something other than a governing body)
what is the benefit of a total ban on whaling
easy to see when a country is breaking the law - there is no confusion as it is outright banned. everyone loses out equally
reasons the moratorium was required
by 1970 the total number of blue whales had decreased to less than 6,000- if hunting had continued they would have gone extinct
how effective has the southern ocean whale sanctuary been in stopping Antarctic whaling (how it HAS been effective)
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
how effective has the southern ocean whale sanctuary been in stopping Antarctic whaling (how it HAS NOT been effective)
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
what is SCAR
scientific committee on Antarctic research
what does SCAR provide
provides international independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and other bodies
what type of organisation is the IWC
a governmental organisation
key features of the international convention for the regulation of whaling
conserving whale stocks stops commercial whaling allows scientific whaling assists with the whale tourism industry sets up whale sanctuary
when was the madrid protocol put in place
1991
how many countries have signed the madrid agreement
34
what is the focus of the madrid protocol
environmental protection
5 key focus points of the madrid protocol
no mining clean up sites no plastics/waste disposal and management no marine pollution no taking animals and plants
positives of the madrid protocol (4)
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
negatives of the Madrid protocol (3)
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
when was the conservation of Antarctic seals put in place
1972
the conservation of Antarctic seals is also included in what treaty
the Antarctic treaty
how many countries signed the conservation of Antarctic seals
12- but as it is part of the Antarctic treaty countries within the treaty are expected to adhere to it as well
key aims of the conservation of Antarctic seals
promote and achieve the objectives of protection, scientific study and rational use of Antarctic seals to maintain a satisfactory balance within the ecological system
what percentage of the world’s fur seals does Antarctica have
33%
the conservation of Antarctic seals is designed to prevent what
stop sealing from reoccurring and the killing of both Ross and Antarctic fur seals is strictly prohibited
positives of the conservation of Antarctic seals
all 6 seals that breed in Antarctica are covered (before the law they didn’t have protection)
drawbacks of the conservation of Antarctic seals
the specificity of the convention - only focusses on seals in the Antarctic so other species and seals outside of the Antarctic are not covered
what does CCAMLR stand for
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
aims of the CCAMLR
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)
achievements of the CCAMLR
management decisions take into account the impact on the ecosystem
recognised internationally
drawbacks of the CCAMLR
still only focussed on certain marine life, not the ecosystem as a whole
