Checklist to assist in the inspection of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas

The Representatives,

Recalling Article VII of the Antarctic Treaty which provides for the designation of observers to carry out inspections and Article 14 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty which provides that inspections shall be arranged to promote the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to ensure compliance with the Protocol;

Further recalling Article 12 of the Protocol which sets out the functions of the Committee on Environmental Protection, including providing advice on inspection procedures, including formats for inspection reports and checklists for the conduct of inspections;

Considering that inspection checklists are useful as guidelines for those planning and conducting inspections;

Noting that checklists are not mandatory, exhaustive nor necessarily completely applicable to all areas and that they are not to be used as a questionnaire;

Recommend that:

Their Governments encourage the use of the attached “Checklist to assist in the inspection of Antarctic Specially Protected and Managed Areas”.