Map of the Antarctic claims (click to view full-size)
Background information
Legislation regarding biodiversity and impact assessment
- The Antarctic Treaty
- The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities (CRAMRA) - not ratified
- The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
- Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS)
- The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
Legislation designed for species protection includes the following:
- The 1964 Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna
- The 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals
- The 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
More detailed information on the appropriate legislation can be found through the legislation pages.
Key development areas and issues
Key economic activity in the Antarctic sub-region currently revolves around fishing; although large mineral reserves exist in the region, exploitation is forbidden under the existing Antarctic Treaty [CHECK THIS!]
Biodiversity interest
Further information about important species can be found on this page
British Antarctic Territory extends as a wedge-shape from the South Pole to 60oS, the outer edges being 20oW-80oW. This also encompasses a number of small islands offshore, particularly the South Orkney and South Shetland Island groups.
The continent, and the associated sub-Antarctic islands are particularly important areas for breeding seabirds and several species of seal, whilst the waters surrounding are of critical importance as feeding grounds for a number of cetacean species.
Only 5 non-native species have become established and they are not considered invasive, although with increasing summer temperatures, there is potential to increase both the numbr of established non-native species and the risk of invasive species occurring (Varnham 2006).
Protected Areas
Protected areas on Antarctica fall into two agreed categories; although another two have been designed they are not yet in force (1999). The two categories in use are Special Protection Area
and Site of Special Scientific Interest
, whilst the as-yet undesignated categories are Specially Reserved Area
and Multiple Use Planning Area
. Annex V of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty will rationalise this to just two categories; those of Antarctic SPA
and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas
.