Protecting Antarctica

Question 1

who governs antarctica?

Answer 1

no government to manage or protect it’s interests

Question 2

the antarctic treaty

Answer 2

in 1959 12 nations signed an agreement to not claim sovereignty over antarctica

Question 3

what does the ATS do?

Answer 3

• guarantees free access and reserach rights to all countries
• prohibits military activity
• bans the dumping of nuclear waste

Question 4

where and when was the ATS established?

Answer 4

signed in washington on 1st december 1959 by the 12 nations

Question 5

where does the treaty apply to?

Answer 5

60 degrees south latitude

Question 6

how many signatures does the ATS now have?

Answer 6

52

Question 7

has it been successful?

Answer 7

yes since entering into force it has been one of the most recognised successful international agreements

Question 8

when did the ATS come into force?

Answer 8

23rd june 1961

Question 9

quick facts about the antarctic treaty

Answer 9

• signed in washington on 1st december 1959
• applies to area 60 degrees south
• countries actively consult on uses of Antarctica
• provides that any member of the UN can access it
• recognised as one of the most successful international agreements
• treaty parties remain fully committed
• parties meet annually to discuss issues

Question 10

what is the madrid protocol?

Answer 10

in 1991 45 nations signed up to protocol which is to run until 2048 and agrees to:

• ban all mineral resource activity
• promote monitoring to minimise human impacts on antarctica

Question 11

what are the specific clauses of the madrid protocrol?

Answer 11

environmental impact assessments 
no removal of flora and fauna 
waste management 
protected areas 
to establish liability - rules

Question 12

international whaling commission IWC

Answer 12

set up in 1946 to conserve global whale stocks
agreement still in place today
momatorium- temporary prohibition of activity

Question 13

IWC measures provided for…

Answer 13

complete protection of certain species
designated whale sanctuary areas
established limit on number and size of whales taken

Question 14

loophole

Answer 14

commercial whaling has stopped worldwide but nations especially japan and norway are continuing to kill whales for “scientific research” but mostly this is not the case

Question 15

NGO’s in antarctica

Answer 15

• very important in helping to provide conservation
• group of NGO’S set up antarctic and southern ocean coalition
• one achievement of this group is the designation of marine protected areas

Question 16

ASOC

Answer 16

in 1991 was granted observer status of AT

• negotiated a legally binding polar code
• managed southern ocean fisheries
• regulated tourism
• blocked minerals convention

Question 17

commission for the conservation of antarctic marine living resources

Answer 17

set up by international convention in 1982 to conserve antarctic marine life - supported by a rage of NGO’S
manages the sea by using an eco system based approach

Question 18

what are achievements of CCAMLR

Answer 18

challenging illegal fishing
managing vulnerable marine ecosystems
establishing the worlds first marine protected area

Question 19

what are whale sanctuaries designed to do?

Answer 19

designed to provide whales with a refuge from whaling allowing species to recover from serious over exploitation

Question 20

the aim of whale sanctuaries is to benefit long term whale conservation by…

Answer 20

• facilitating the recovery of seriously depleted populations by protecting areas such as feeding or breeding grounds
• increasing public awareness of the value of marine ecosystems
• providing the commission with a broad management tool to protect multiple species