Non-Native Species
The Representatives,
Recognising that the introduction of non-native species to the Antarctic region, including the movement of species between locations in the region, presents a serious risk to biodiversity and to the intrinsic values of Antarctica;
Recalling the valuable discussions held at the 2006 workshop in New Zealand on Non-Native Species, and the subsequent agreement by the Committee for Environmental Protection (“CEP”) IX that:
· the issue of non-native species in the Antarctic should be given the highest priority consistent with the high environmental standards set out in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Protocol);
· a set of comprehensive and standardised guidance and / or procedures should be developed, aimed at all operators in the Antarctic;
Recalling also the 2010 Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts on Implications of Climate Change for Antarctic Management and Governance, which:
· acknowledged that the greatest effort should be placed on preventing the introduction of non-native species, and on minimising the risk of human assisted introductions;
· recommended that Parties be encouraged to comprehensively and consistently implement management measures to respond to the environmental implications of climate change, particularly measures to avoid introduction and translocation of non-native species, and to report on their effectiveness;
Welcoming the development by the CEP of a Non-Native Species Manual that Parties can apply and use, as appropriate, to assist with meeting their obligations under Annex II of the Protocol;
Welcoming also the CEP’s advice that it will continue to develop and refine the Manual to reflect improvements in the understanding of non-native species risks and in best practice measures for prevention, surveillance and response;
Recommend that Parties:
1. disseminate and encourage, as appropriate, the use of the Non-Native Species Manual annexed to this Resolution; and
2. encourage the Committee for Environmental Protection to continue to develop the Non-Native Species Manual with the input of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs on scientific and practical matters, respectively.
The Representatives,
Recognising that the introduction of non-native species to the Antarctic region, including the movement of species between locations in the region, presents a serious risk to biodiversity and to the intrinsic values of Antarctica;
Recalling the valuable discussions held at the 2006 workshop in New Zealand on Non-Native Species, and the subsequent agreement by the Committee for Environmental Protection (“CEP”) IX that:
· the issue of non-native species in the Antarctic should be given the highest priority consistent with the high environmental standards set out in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Protocol);
· a set of comprehensive and standardised guidance and / or procedures should be developed, aimed at all operators in the Antarctic;
Recalling also the 2010 Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts on Implications of Climate Change for Antarctic Management and Governance, which:
· acknowledged that the greatest effort should be placed on preventing the introduction of non-native species, and on minimising the risk of human assisted introductions;
· recommended that Parties be encouraged to comprehensively and consistently implement management measures to respond to the environmental implications of climate change, particularly measures to avoid introduction and translocation of non-native species, and to report on their effectiveness;
Welcoming the development by the CEP of a Non-Native Species Manual that Parties can apply and use, as appropriate, to assist with meeting their obligations under Annex II of the Protocol;
Welcoming also the CEP’s advice that it will continue to develop and refine the Manual to reflect improvements in the understanding of non-native species risks and in best practice measures for prevention, surveillance and response;
Recommend that Parties:
1. disseminate and encourage, as appropriate, the use of the Non-Native Species Manual annexed to this Resolution; and
2. encourage the Committee for Environmental Protection to continue to develop the Non-Native Species Manual with the input of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs on scientific and practical matters, respectively.
