Antarctic Specially Protected and Specially Managed Areas: How Effective is the Current System?

Abstract

Protection of the Antarctic environment has been a motivation for Treaty Parties since the establishment of the Antarctic Treaty System in 1964. The current protected areas system, created in 2002, provides little protection, especially within regions most at risk for climate change impacts. The present report reviews the current creation and management processes for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas. The problems and challenges associated with the current system are outlined along with recommendations for ongoing improvement to the system. The efficiency of the current system in protecting Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems against climate change impacts is also assessed. The report concludes that all Treaty Parties need to be equally committed to implementing permit re0quirements while also reporting all permitted activities in order to create an accurate database. Further integration of knowledge from successful international environmental programmes is required along with increased cooperation and communication between Treaty Parties and associated organisations. The Climate Change Response Work Programmes timeline of recommended tasks aims to guide the evolution of protected area management plans to best respond to climate change, however the success of these recommendations relies on collaboration between all associated parties along with quality biological data. Continual improvement of the protected areas system is required in order to preserve Antarctica as a unique place for science and peace.