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  5. 28. Seabee Hook, Cape Hallett

28. Seabee Hook, Cape Hallett
28.Seabee Hook, Cape Hallett
 
72º19´00´´S, 170º13´00´´E
Two separate small sites located on the NW and SE coasts of Seabee Hook, adjacent to Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 106 Cape Hallett.
Latest Revision: 2021
 
Key Features
 
- Large Adélie penguin colony (~47,000 pairs in 2017),
identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA);
- Site of former NZ/US station that operated from 1956-73, which has been decommissioned and cleaned up;
- Scenery of Edisto Inlet and the Admiralty Mountains, including Mt. Herschel (3335m);
- The terrestrial ecology (plants, invertebrates, and birds) of Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 106: Cape Hallett.
 
Description
TOPOGRAPHY
Seabee Hook is a large flat cuspate spit composed of coarse material deposited in a series of beach ridges, with gently undulating terrain. It is joined to steep scree forming part of the western slopes of northern Hallett Peninsula.
FAUNA
Confirmed breeders: Adélie penguin, Snow petrel, South Polar Skua, Wilson’s storm petrel.
Regularly haul out: Weddell seal.
Also present: Emperor penguin, Leopard seal, Minke Whale, Southern giant petrel.
FLORA
No significant flora in the visitor areas.
HISTORIC HUTS AND ARTIFACTS
Site of former NZ/US station that operated from 1956-73, which has been decommissioned and cleaned up. Artifacts from the former station may occasionally be found on shore.
OTHER
The site is bordered by Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 106, entry to which is strictly prohibited without a permit.
 
Visitor Impact
KNOWN IMPACTS
At the time of its operation, Hallett Station had a substantial impact on the breeding Adélie penguin colony. Since station decommissioning and clean-up, breeding birds have started to re-occupy the site of the former station. Recovery of the site is an important subject for scientific study.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Disturbance to wildlife, damage to, or removal of, historic artifacts.
 
Landing Requirements
SHIPS*
Max pax on board: 200
Ships per day: 1
Comments: * A ship is defined as a vessel which carries more than 12 passengers.
AIRCRAFT
Overflight and landings within ½ nautical mile (~930m) of the Adélie penguin colony on Seabee Hook for tourism is strongly discouraged.
VISITORS
Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Visitors per guide: 20
 
Visitor Area
LANDING AREA
Visitor access is restricted to two defined Visitor Sites located on the northern / NW and SE coasts of Seabee Hook (see Figure 1 and Map 2).
Visitor Site ‘A’ is located on the northern / NW coast of Seabee Hook between 72° 19’ 04.9”S, 170° 14’ 19.3”E and 72° 19’ 07.9”S, 170° 12’ 21.8”E.
Visitor Site ‘B’ is located on the SE coast of Seabee Hook between 72° 19’ 19.1”S, 170° 12’ 54.3”E and 72° 19’ 15.3”S, 170° 12’ 58.7”E. The preferred landing sites are those in Visitor Sites ‘A’ & ‘B’, but if conditions make these sites dangerous, an alternate landing site along the shoreline between these two sites may be used. This alternative should only be used for safety reasons and following the restrictions noted under Guided Walking Areas.
CLOSED AREA
Entry into the protected area is strictly prohibited without a permit.
GUIDED WALKING AREA
When sea ice is absent or unsafe, small, closely guided groups may walk along the shoreline boundary of the protected area between the two visitor sites. These walking groups must be strictly controlled and maintain a ratio of 1 guide to 10 passengers.
FREE ROAMING AREA
Visitors may roam freely within the defined Visitor Sites (Figure 1 and Map 2).
 
 
Visitor code of conduct
BEHAVIOUR ASHORE
  • Ensure footware is clean before going ashore.
  • If an historic artifact is found, draw it to the attention of a guide: do not disturb or remove it.
  • No poultry or food containing poultry products (e.g. chicken, eggs) are allowed ashore.
  • Take care not to disturb penguin or South Polar skua nesting sites. Walk slowly and carefully. Maintain a precautionary distance of 5 meters from wildlife and give animals the right-of-way. Increase this distance if any change in behaviour observed.
CAUTIONARY NOTES

Strong tidal currents are known to exist in Edisto Inlet. Pack and brash ice frequently accumulate on the beaches.
 
 
   
   
 
 
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