Reducing Plastic Pollution in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
The Representatives,
Noting the increasing level of both macro-plastic (>5 mm) and micro-plastic (<5 mm) found in the
Antarctic Treaty area;
Aware of the current lack of plastics monitoring data to inform decision-making;
Conscious of their responsibility to protect the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;
Acknowledging that the majority of plastic found in Antarctica originates from outside of Antarctica;
Nevertheless wishing to minimise plastic pollution in Antarctica;
Recalling Articles 1 and 6 of Annex III and Article 5 of Annex IV to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. encourage all persons under their jurisdiction organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area and National Antarctic Programmes to eliminate personal care products containing micro-plastic beads in the Antarctic Treaty area;
2. identify and exchange information with other Parties on methods that should be implemented to reduce micro-plastic release from wastewater systems;
3. support greater monitoring of plastic pollution in Antarctica using developing standards and comparative methodologies, particularly near areas of human activity;
4. invite the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) to report as new information emerges that quantifies plastic pollution and details the risks to Antarctic species and communities; and
5. consider the issue of micro-plastic release in connection with any possible future revisions of Annexes III and IV to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
The Representatives,
Noting the increasing level of both macro-plastic (>5 mm) and micro-plastic (<5 mm) found in the
Antarctic Treaty area;
Aware of the current lack of plastics monitoring data to inform decision-making;
Conscious of their responsibility to protect the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems;
Acknowledging that the majority of plastic found in Antarctica originates from outside of Antarctica;
Nevertheless wishing to minimise plastic pollution in Antarctica;
Recalling Articles 1 and 6 of Annex III and Article 5 of Annex IV to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. encourage all persons under their jurisdiction organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area and National Antarctic Programmes to eliminate personal care products containing micro-plastic beads in the Antarctic Treaty area;
2. identify and exchange information with other Parties on methods that should be implemented to reduce micro-plastic release from wastewater systems;
3. support greater monitoring of plastic pollution in Antarctica using developing standards and comparative methodologies, particularly near areas of human activity;
4. invite the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) to report as new information emerges that quantifies plastic pollution and details the risks to Antarctic species and communities; and
5. consider the issue of micro-plastic release in connection with any possible future revisions of Annexes III and IV to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
