The Committee for Environmental Protection
Non-native Species and Wildlife Disease Manual
The Representatives,
Conscious that the increasing introduction of non-native species to the Antarctic region, including the movement of species between locations in the region, is presenting a serious risk to biodiversity and to the intrinsic values of Antarctica;
Recognising the enhanced potential for non-native species introduction and establishment with a changing Antarctic climate;
Recalling that the overall objective for Parties’ actions to address risks posed by non-native species is to protect Antarctic biodiversity and intrinsic values by preventing the unintended introduction to the Antarctic region of species not native to that region, and the movement of species within Antarctica from one biogeographic zone to any other;
Aware of the increasing threat to Antarctic wildlife presented by wildlife diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (“HPAI”) H5N1, and the potential for inadvertent pathogen distribution through human activities, and the implications of a changing Antarctic climate on wildlife disease dynamics;
Noting that under Resolutions 6 (2011) and 4 (2016), the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) decided to disseminate and encourage, as appropriate, the use of the Non-native Species Manual (“the Manual”) developed by the Committee for Environmental Protection (“CEP”);
Welcoming the revision of the Manual by the CEP, as well as the CEP’s advice that it will continue to refine and develop the Manual to reflect improvements in the understanding of the risks posed by non-native species and wildlife disease and best practice measures for prevention, monitoring and response;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. encourage the dissemination of the Manual, annexed to this Resolution, and its use by those organising, conducting and participating in Antarctic activities;
2. encourage the CEP to continue to develop the Manual with the input of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”) on scientific and practical matters, respectively, and other expert organisations, as required;
3. request the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty (“the Secretariat”) to post the Manual on its website; and
4. request the Secretariat to post the text of Resolutions 6 (2011) and 4 (2016) on its website in such a way that makes clear that they are no longer current.
Non-native Species and Wildlife Disease Manual
The Representatives,
Conscious that the increasing introduction of non-native species to the Antarctic region, including the movement of species between locations in the region, is presenting a serious risk to biodiversity and to the intrinsic values of Antarctica;
Recognising the enhanced potential for non-native species introduction and establishment with a changing Antarctic climate;
Recalling that the overall objective for Parties’ actions to address risks posed by non-native species is to protect Antarctic biodiversity and intrinsic values by preventing the unintended introduction to the Antarctic region of species not native to that region, and the movement of species within Antarctica from one biogeographic zone to any other;
Aware of the increasing threat to Antarctic wildlife presented by wildlife diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (“HPAI”) H5N1, and the potential for inadvertent pathogen distribution through human activities, and the implications of a changing Antarctic climate on wildlife disease dynamics;
Noting that under Resolutions 6 (2011) and 4 (2016), the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) decided to disseminate and encourage, as appropriate, the use of the Non-native Species Manual (“the Manual”) developed by the Committee for Environmental Protection (“CEP”);
Welcoming the revision of the Manual by the CEP, as well as the CEP’s advice that it will continue to refine and develop the Manual to reflect improvements in the understanding of the risks posed by non-native species and wildlife disease and best practice measures for prevention, monitoring and response;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. encourage the dissemination of the Manual, annexed to this Resolution, and its use by those organising, conducting and participating in Antarctic activities;
2. encourage the CEP to continue to develop the Manual with the input of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (“SCAR”) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (“COMNAP”) on scientific and practical matters, respectively, and other expert organisations, as required;
3. request the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty (“the Secretariat”) to post the Manual on its website; and
4. request the Secretariat to post the text of Resolutions 6 (2011) and 4 (2016) on its website in such a way that makes clear that they are no longer current.
