Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty consists of fourteen articles concerning with the protection and conservation of Antarctica. After over 50 secret meetings the treaty began in 1961. There were twelve original signatories.
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Chile
France
Japan
New Zealand
Norway
Russia
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States
Since then another fourteen countries have signed in agreement with the Antarctic Treaty
Summary of the Antarctic Treaty Articles
ARTICLE I - Antarctica is to be used for peaceful purposes only. There is to be no establishments of military bases in the country and the testing of weapons is to be prohibited
ARTICLE II - Scientific investigation is to continue freely
ARTICLE III - Plans and results are to be exchanged in order to promote the international co-operation
ARTICLE IV - No new territorial claims shall be made while the Treaty is in force
ARTICLE V - Nuclear explosions are to be prohibited and the dumping of radioactive waste is taboo
ARTICLE VI - The Treaty applies to all area south of 60 degrees south in latitude including all ice shelves
ARTICLE VII - There is to be free access for observation and inspection between countries to promote the objective of the present Treaty
ARTICLE VIII - Staff is under the jurisdiction of their own country
ARTICLE IX - The Treaty declares that the signatories meet periodically so that the discussion of the use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes, the facilitation for scientific research, the facilitation of international scientific cooperation, and the preservation and conservation of living resources can be met to the standards set by the Treaty
ARTICLE X - Discourages activities that are contrary to the Treaty
ARTICLE XI - Disputes shall be resolved by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, or other peaceful measures
ARTICLE XII - The Treaty is to be reviewed every thirty years to modify. The present Treaty may only be modified before the time set if a unanimous agreement is reached between Contracting Parties
ARTICLE XIII - Ratification of accession
ARTICLE XIV - The US is responsible for the repository of the Treaty and for providing copies to all member states
Conservation Issues
Conservation and preservation of Antarctica is a major issue. Restrictions and laws will have to be made to ensure that the land and wildlife is not harmed. Scientific Exploration, Tourism, Mining, the Continent, and wildlife are major conservation issues.
In 1972 a law was produced for the protection and survival of the Antarctic Seals. There is now a restriction on the catches that can be made.
Limits on the catches that can be made per year
175 000 crabeater seals
12 000 leopard seals
5 000 weddell seals
This conservation matter was raised when the fur seals were literally wiped out since the industry began in 1800-01
In 1982 there was a conservation on the Antarctic Marine Living Resources. It applied to all population of fin fish, crustaceans, and all other species including birds found south of the Antarctic Convergence
Krill harvesting is a major problem. The krill is the basic diet of the blue whale, small fish and squid. If there were no krill, the animals that feast on them would die and so unbalance the food change, causing drastic changes in life.
Krill is able to reproduce twice a year, this makes them more productive. Since the 1970's the annual catches have reached up to 500 000 tonnes. The catches have made food scarcer for other animals and some have died as a result. With the introduction of the Conservation of Living Marine Resources this species can be controlled with the catches brought in each year, which will hopefully prevent any major impacts on the food chain.
Mining is also another conservation issue. Rules are needed to prevent lots of heavy machinery coming over and destroying the land. We need to protect the land and not cause implications for people in the future.
Weddell Seal and pup ....... Humpback Whale
Bibliography
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