Hydrographic Mapping of Antarctic Waters
The Representatives,
Recalling and noting the continued validity of Recommendation XV-19 (1989) and Resolutions 1 (1995), 3 (2003), 5 (2008), 2 (2010) and 5 (2014), which contain general provisions regarding cooperation on hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters;
Considering that reliable hydrographic data and nautical charts are essential for safe maritime operations and the protection of the marine environment;
Noting that the collection of accurate bathymetric data will improve navigational safety and support a range of other applications, including scientific research, management and monitoring of the marine environment, hazard and risk assessment, search and rescue activities and operational activities;
Concerned to ensure progress on hydrographic mapping and bathymetric data collection for Antarctic waters to minimise the risk of harm to people, ships, and the environment within the region;
Acknowledging the efforts of the International Hydrographic Organization (“IHO”) Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (“DCDB”), the Nippon-Foundation General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (“GEBCO”) Seabed 2030 project and the IHO Crowdsourced Bathymetry Data Working Group;
Recognising the role of the IHO Commission on Antarctica in the coordination of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting in the Antarctic region, and the value of cooperating with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”), the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (“IAATO”) and other relevant expert bodies;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. give priority to reviewing existing bathymetric data holdings and collecting new bathymetric data in the Antarctic region by:
a. encouraging their national programme vessels and other vessels under their jurisdiction, including non-governmental vessels, as appropriate, to:
i. review existing bathymetric data holdings for inclusion, either directly or through their national hydrographic office, in the IHO DCDB;
ii. undertake hydrographic and bathymetric data collection on all their Antarctic voyages, as practicable;
iii. utilise IHO guidelines where appropriate, including the IHO Publication B-12 - IHO Guidelines on Crowdsourced Bathymetry;
iv. share all data collected with the IHO DCDB, through their national hydrographic office, where applicable, or directly;
b. encouraging cooperation between national research institutions and mapping institutions/authorities on hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region to ensure the use of basic hydrographic survey guidelines in order to secure the highest value of collected data for the widest possible (re)use;
2. recommend that Parties endeavour to find additional resources for improving hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region; and
3. encourage those Parties who are also Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”) to consider possible actions to ensure that fishing vessels and vessels undertaking CCAMLR research operating in the CCAMLR Convention area, which are under their respective jurisdiction, undertake hydrographic and bathymetric data collection on all their Antarctic voyages, as practicable.
The Representatives,
Recalling and noting the continued validity of Recommendation XV-19 (1989) and Resolutions 1 (1995), 3 (2003), 5 (2008), 2 (2010) and 5 (2014), which contain general provisions regarding cooperation on hydrographic surveying and charting of Antarctic waters;
Considering that reliable hydrographic data and nautical charts are essential for safe maritime operations and the protection of the marine environment;
Noting that the collection of accurate bathymetric data will improve navigational safety and support a range of other applications, including scientific research, management and monitoring of the marine environment, hazard and risk assessment, search and rescue activities and operational activities;
Concerned to ensure progress on hydrographic mapping and bathymetric data collection for Antarctic waters to minimise the risk of harm to people, ships, and the environment within the region;
Acknowledging the efforts of the International Hydrographic Organization (“IHO”) Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (“DCDB”), the Nippon-Foundation General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (“GEBCO”) Seabed 2030 project and the IHO Crowdsourced Bathymetry Data Working Group;
Recognising the role of the IHO Commission on Antarctica in the coordination of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting in the Antarctic region, and the value of cooperating with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”), the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”), the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (“IAATO”) and other relevant expert bodies;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. give priority to reviewing existing bathymetric data holdings and collecting new bathymetric data in the Antarctic region by:
a. encouraging their national programme vessels and other vessels under their jurisdiction, including non-governmental vessels, as appropriate, to:
i. review existing bathymetric data holdings for inclusion, either directly or through their national hydrographic office, in the IHO DCDB;
ii. undertake hydrographic and bathymetric data collection on all their Antarctic voyages, as practicable;
iii. utilise IHO guidelines where appropriate, including the IHO Publication B-12 - IHO Guidelines on Crowdsourced Bathymetry;
iv. share all data collected with the IHO DCDB, through their national hydrographic office, where applicable, or directly;
b. encouraging cooperation between national research institutions and mapping institutions/authorities on hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region to ensure the use of basic hydrographic survey guidelines in order to secure the highest value of collected data for the widest possible (re)use;
2. recommend that Parties endeavour to find additional resources for improving hydrographic surveying and charting in the Antarctic region; and
3. encourage those Parties who are also Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (“CCAMLR”) to consider possible actions to ensure that fishing vessels and vessels undertaking CCAMLR research operating in the CCAMLR Convention area, which are under their respective jurisdiction, undertake hydrographic and bathymetric data collection on all their Antarctic voyages, as practicable.
