Urgent measures to be taken with respect to certain tourist and non-governmental activities
The Representatives,
Concerned about the continuing and substantial increase in the numbers of tourists and diversification of tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica;
Acknowledging that the concerns associated with the growth, diversification, monitoring, compliance and governance in relation to Antarctic tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica prompt the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) to take urgent action;
Acknowledging the desire for National Competent Authorities (“NCA”) to improve harmonisation of assessment and standards, and to address issues arising from new activities or those seldom conducted, and potentially risky activities, as expressed in the NCAs discussion forum and reported in IP 91 (2023);
Recalling Resolution 2 (2022), which adopted and updated lists of sites subject to Site Guidelines for Visitors (“Site Guidelines”);
Recalling Measure 15 (2009) and the “General Principles of Antarctic Tourism” adopted by Resolution 7 (2009);
Recalling also Resolution 2 (2004) “Guidelines for the Operation of Aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica”;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. recommend operators organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area, for which advance notification is required in accordance with Article VII(5) of the Antarctic Treaty, to discontinue except in case of emergencies and for the purpose of enhancing human safety:
a. any off-ship activities in Antarctica from vessels carrying more than 500 passengers to clarify the purpose of Measure 15 (2009);
b. the use of helicopters for recreational purposes in areas with concentrations of wildlife; and
2. engage in further discussions on these and other specific actions in the context of future discussions regarding tourism.
The Representatives,
Concerned about the continuing and substantial increase in the numbers of tourists and diversification of tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica;
Acknowledging that the concerns associated with the growth, diversification, monitoring, compliance and governance in relation to Antarctic tourism and other non-governmental activities in Antarctica prompt the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (“ATCM”) to take urgent action;
Acknowledging the desire for National Competent Authorities (“NCA”) to improve harmonisation of assessment and standards, and to address issues arising from new activities or those seldom conducted, and potentially risky activities, as expressed in the NCAs discussion forum and reported in IP 91 (2023);
Recalling Resolution 2 (2022), which adopted and updated lists of sites subject to Site Guidelines for Visitors (“Site Guidelines”);
Recalling Measure 15 (2009) and the “General Principles of Antarctic Tourism” adopted by Resolution 7 (2009);
Recalling also Resolution 2 (2004) “Guidelines for the Operation of Aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica”;
Recommend that their Governments:
1. recommend operators organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area, for which advance notification is required in accordance with Article VII(5) of the Antarctic Treaty, to discontinue except in case of emergencies and for the purpose of enhancing human safety:
a. any off-ship activities in Antarctica from vessels carrying more than 500 passengers to clarify the purpose of Measure 15 (2009);
b. the use of helicopters for recreational purposes in areas with concentrations of wildlife; and
2. engage in further discussions on these and other specific actions in the context of future discussions regarding tourism.
