Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty

Resolution 4 (2014) - ATCM XXXVII - CEP XVII, Brasilia

  • Subject

    Site Guidelines for visitors

  • Status

    Adopted 07/05/2014. No longer current: R 2 (2016)

  • Category

    Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities

  • Topics

    - Horseshoe Island, Antarctic Peninsula
    - HSMs - general
    - Mawson´s Huts and Cape Denison, East Antarctica
    - Site Guidelines
    - Site Guidelines replacement
    - Tourism Management

  • Attachments

  • Relevant Final Report paragraph

    138

Site Guidelines for visitors

The Representatives,

Recalling Resolution 5 (2005), Resolution 2 (2006), Resolution 1 (2007), Resolution 2 (2008), Resolution 4 (2009), Resolution 1 (2010), Resolution 4 (2011), Resolution 2 (2012) and Resolution 3 (2013), which adopted lists of sites subject to Site Guidelines for visitors (“Site Guidelines”);
Recalling Resolution 3 (2013), which provided that any proposed amendment to existing Site Guidelines be discussed by the Committee for Environmental Protection (“CEP”), which should advise the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) accordingly, and that if such advice is endorsed by the ATCM, the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty (“the Secretariat”) should make the necessary changes to the texts of Site Guidelines on its website;
Believing that Site Guidelines enhance the provisions set out in Recommendation XVIII-1 (1994) (Guidance for those organising and conducting tourism and non-Governmental activities in the Antarctic);
Confirming that the term “visitors” does not include scientists conducting research within such sites, or individuals engaged in official governmental activities;
Noting that the Site Guidelines have been developed based on the current levels and types of visits at each specific site, and aware that the Site Guidelines would require review if there were any significant changes to the levels or types of visits to a site;
Believing that the Site Guidelines for each site must be reviewed and revised promptly in response to changes in the levels and types of visits, or in response to any demonstrable or likely environmental impacts;
Desiring to keep existing Site Guidelines up to date;

Recommend that:
1. the Site Guidelines for Horseshoe Island, Antarctic Peninsula, and Mawson’s Huts and Cape Denison, East Antarctica be replaced by the modified Site Guidelines;
2. the Secretariat place the full list of sites subject to Site Guidelines, annexed to this Resolution, and the modified Site Guidelines, as adopted by the ATCM, on its website;
3. their Governments urge all potential visitors to ensure that they are fully conversant with and adhere to the advice in the relevant Site Guidelines, as published by the Secretariat;
4. any proposed amendment to existing Site Guidelines be discussed by the CEP, which should advise the ATCM accordingly, and that if such advice is endorsed by the ATCM, the Secretariat should make the necessary changes to the texts of Site Guidelines on the website; and
5. the Secretariat post the text of Resolution 3 (2013) on its website in such a way that makes clear that it is no longer current.