Important Bird Areas in Antarctica
The Representatives,
Recognising that in some parts of Antarctica, a changing Antarctic climate is having an observable effect on native wildlife, including populations of penguins and seabirds;
Recalling Article 3 of the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), which requires that activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment;
Recalling also the requirements of Annex II to the Protocol on the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora;
Recognising BirdLife International’s extensive global network of Important Bird Areas;
Desiring to ensure that conservation practices in Antarctica are consistent with current global best practice approaches;
Aware of the potential for harmful disturbance to concentrations of birds in Antarctica from a range of human activities in the region;
Aware also that ongoing research is required to improve the state of knowledge of the status and trends of Antarctic bird populations;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. welcome and acknowledge the report on identified Important Birds Areas in Antarctica, which covers breeding sites;
2. bring the report to the attention of the Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels for its consideration;
3. take account of the information in the report in the planning and conduct of their activities in Antarctica including in the preparation of environmental impact assessments;
4. request the Committee for Environmental Protection to provide an update to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on the extent to which these Important Bird Areas are, or should be, represented within the series of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, in particular those areas that might qualify as “major colonies of breeding native birds”; and
5. undertake appropriate monitoring of bird populations to inform future management actions that may be required.
The Representatives,
Recognising that in some parts of Antarctica, a changing Antarctic climate is having an observable effect on native wildlife, including populations of penguins and seabirds;
Recalling Article 3 of the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty (“the Protocol”), which requires that activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment;
Recalling also the requirements of Annex II to the Protocol on the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora;
Recognising BirdLife International’s extensive global network of Important Bird Areas;
Desiring to ensure that conservation practices in Antarctica are consistent with current global best practice approaches;
Aware of the potential for harmful disturbance to concentrations of birds in Antarctica from a range of human activities in the region;
Aware also that ongoing research is required to improve the state of knowledge of the status and trends of Antarctic bird populations;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. welcome and acknowledge the report on identified Important Birds Areas in Antarctica, which covers breeding sites;
2. bring the report to the attention of the Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels for its consideration;
3. take account of the information in the report in the planning and conduct of their activities in Antarctica including in the preparation of environmental impact assessments;
4. request the Committee for Environmental Protection to provide an update to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on the extent to which these Important Bird Areas are, or should be, represented within the series of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, in particular those areas that might qualify as “major colonies of breeding native birds”; and
5. undertake appropriate monitoring of bird populations to inform future management actions that may be required.
