APPENDIX 1
Letter and memorandum submitted by the
British Antarctic Survey
UK INTERNATIONAL
ENVIRONMENT OBJECTIVES
The Environment Committee's enquiry into the
role of the FCO in delivering UK International Environment Objectives
makes mention of the Overseas Territories. That is right, because
environmental issues loom large in many British Overseas Territories,
and in some there are specific international obligations.
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is heavily involved
in managing the environment of two Overseas Territories: British
Antarctic Territory, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich
Islands. The attached paper sets out what we do, and why. The
work is done in close cooperation with the FCO, and I think the
Committee will conclude that it is highly successful. Indeed other
countries often use the UK and BAS as exemplars of best practice
in this field, which reinforces the position of the FCO in other
areas of Antarctic policy.
BAS would be glad to provide oral evidence,
or to send further written material, if the Committee would find
that helpful.
INTRODUCTION
1. British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) are administered
through the Polar Regions Unit of the FCO Overseas Territories
Department. These territories have unique status in that they
are also subject to provisions agreed internationally under the
instruments of the Antarctic Treaty System. The British Antarctic
Survey (BAS) provides much of the expertise for their environmental
management, and is therefore submitting this evidence.
2. This paper explains how the UK has always
met (and often exceeded) its responsibilities towards the environment
in BAT and SGSSI, through supporting and promoting environmental
protection and conservation, the sustainable use of marine living
resources, and the management and regulation of scientific research
and tourism.
BRITISH ANTARCTIC
TERRITORY
3. British Antarctic Territory is an Overseas
Territory, entirely south of 60° and therefore subject to
the provisions and measures of the Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol
on Environmental Protection, and the Convention on the Conservation
of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The annual Antarctic
Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) provide for the formulation
of regulatory measures by consensus amongst the Treaty Parties.
Today, these measures focus mainly on the protection of the Antarctic
environment.
BAS provides scientific and technical experts
for the UK delegation to ATCMs, coordinated by FCO. As one of
the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, the UK has played
a major role of leadership in the development of environmental
policy and regulations for Antarctica within the ATCM and its
Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP), since the first ATCM
held in 1961.
4. The Protocol on Environmental Protection
includes Annexes on:
I—Environmental impact assessment.
II—Conservation of Antarctic flora and
fauna.
III—Waste disposal and management.
IV—Prevention of marine pollution.
V—Area protection and management.
VI—Liability arising from environmental
emergencies.
These provisions are enacted into UK law through
the Antarctic Act, and form the basis for all UK activities within
the BAT and elsewhere in Antarctica.
5. A permitting system is in place for visits
to Antarctica by UK scientists, tourist companies and private
expeditions. Permits are granted by FCO, with advice from BAS,
under condition of compliance with the requirements of the Antarctic
Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection. An Environmental
Impact Assessment is required for any activities that may have
more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment.
Additional permits are required for entry into specially protected
areas, and the taking of any native fauna or flora.
6. BAS provides the permanent British presence
in Antarctica. It operates four year-round research stations in
the BAT, as well as one summer-only research station and two logistics
depots. These stations are operated to the highest environmental
standards required under the Antarctic Treaty System. BAS provides
a model for environmental best practice in Antarctic science and
logistics, and is highly respected amongst other national operators.
It works to deliver UK obligations under the Protocol on Environmental
Protection by undertaking oil spill contingency planning, waste
disposal and management, environmental monitoring, and the clean-up
and removal of unused buildings and facilities (for example, the
recent removal of old station buildings on Signy Island and Bird
Island).
7. As part of its ongoing commitment to
delivering world-class science, BAS will build a new research
station (Halley VI) on the Brunt Ice Shelf in BAT, and will demolish
and remove the existing station (Halley V). This major project
is being undertaken in close collaboration with the FCO, since
it is a requirement of the Protocol on Environmental Protection
that the building of new research facilities in Antarctica must
undergo a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment process. The
Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) Report for
the construction of Halley VI and the demolition and removal of
Halley V is seen by the International community as one of the
best of its kind, and serves as a model for similar projects by
other nations. An electronic copy of the Final CEE for Halley
VI is attached to this submission.
8. Inspections of other national research
stations are carried out under the provisions of the Antarctic
Treaty to ensure that all environmental regulations are being
met. FCO has coordinated and participated in recent inspections
of stations within the BAT.
9. BAS aims to deliver policy-relevant science,
and FCO seeks advice from BAS scientists on a range of environmental
issues. Scientific and technical expertise from BAS enables the
UK to back its negotiating position at Antarctic meetings with
the best available science.
10. CCAMLR provides an ecosystem-based,
precautionary approach to Antarctic fisheries management, and
its measures apply in the waters around both BAT and SGSSI. BAS
and the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) at Imperial College
provide scientific support and advice relating to fisheries within
BAT and SGSSI, as well as in the wider context of CCAMLR discussions
on fisheries and conservation of the marine ecosystem throughout
the Southern Ocean. Monitoring of other Antarctic species such
as penguins, seabirds and seals provides an important indicator
of the overall health of the ecosystem related to the effects
of fishing. A recent measure of the success of CCAMLR's ecosystem
approach to management has been the complete elimination of seabird
by-catch by licensed fishing vessels. This would not have been
achieved without the input from BAS.
11. Tourism is one of the fastest growing
activities in the BAT, and operates through a self-regulating
organisation (the International Association of Antarctic Tour
Operators—IAATO). FCO and BAS maintain a close relationship
with IAATO to ensure that tourism remains environmentally sustainable.
FCO recently coordinated and participated in a study of environmental
protection requirements for frequently visited tourist sites in
the BAT, in collaboration with officials from IAATO. Resulting
from this work, a new system of Site-Specific Guidelines was agreed
at the 2006 ATCM, to provide guidance for tourists at 11 of the
most frequently visited tourist sites (and further Site-Specific
Guidelines are planned).
12. The development of specially protected
and managed areas under the Protocol on Environmental Protection
is crucial. BAS scientists are working to develop management plans
for new protected areas, and to review and update the provisions
for existing protected areas. The development of marine protected
areas (MPAs) is an important topic worldwide. FCO has funded a
one-year project with BAS to assist in developing the scientific
foundation for establishing a system of MPAs for the Southern
Ocean (focusing on the BAT), and strategies for implementing such
a system within the ATCM and CCAMLR.
SOUTH GEORGIA
AND THE
SOUTH SANDWICH
ISLANDS
13. South Georgia and the South Sandwich
Islands are an Overseas Territory north of 60(S, and are therefore
outside the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol
on Environmental Protection. However, the SGSSI Government develops
environmental regulations based on those provided under the Antarctic
Treaty System, with assistance from FCO and BAS.
14. An updated Environmental Management
Plan for South Georgia was published by the South Georgia Government
in 2006, with assistance from BAS scientists. It outlines key
policies on the conservation of native flora and fauna, the management
of human activities to ensure minimal environmental impact, and
the maintenance of sustainable tourism. It also designates Specially
Protected Areas, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, and Open Areas
for visitors. This management plan is one of the most comprehensive
for any of the sub-Antarctic islands, and a copy is attached to
this submission.
15. Tourism and private expeditions to South
Georgia are strictly controlled under a system of permits granted
by the South Georgia Government, and the majority of tourist vessels
are also subject to the regulations of IAATO. Restrictions and
guidelines for visitors to the island include measures to protect
sensitive wildlife colonies, to minimise disturbance to native
flora and fauna, and to prevent the introduction of alien invasive
species.
16. In 2003-04, FCO funded a major project
to clean up the historic whaling station of Grytviken on the northeast
coast of South Georgia. The aim was to remove asbestos, oil residues
and other hazards from the station site, and to leave it safe
for future visitors. The work was successful and the site is now
open to visitors, providing an outstanding example of environmental
restoration.
17. The waters around SGSSI are within the
CCAMLR Convention Area, and all measures agreed by CCAMLR are
enacted there. A major focus of UK involvement in the work of
CCAMLR is on South Georgia fisheries, with great success. The
licensed fishery for Patagonian toothfish within the SGSSI Maritime
Zone has been independently assessed and certified by the Marine
Stewardship Council as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.
Inspections, licensing and catch monitoring are carried out by
the South Georgia Government Officer based at King Edward Point
in South Georgia.
18. Research on fisheries is undertaken
by two scientific organizations, both under contract to the SGSSI
Government. The Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) undertakes
scientific research and population modelling of the major fish,
krill, crab and squid stocks, and provides scientific observers
to collect data on fishing vessels. BAS maintains a research station
at King Edward Point on South Georgia, where biological research
includes inshore surveys of fish and crab species, and studies
on samples taken by MRAG observers on board fishing vessels. Scientists
from both organizations contribute to the CCAMLR scientific Working
Groups. It is the quality of this research and expertise which
reinforces the UK's leading role in CCAMLR.That in turn enables
wider UK environmental and foreign policy objectives to be achieved.
CONCLUSION
19. The UK has consistently met, and often
exceeded, its responsibilities towards the environment in the
British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia and the South Sandwich
Islands, as a result of the long and successful partnership between
FCO and BAS. It continues to deliver international environmental
objectives through the instruments of the Antarctic Treaty System,
and is a model for the effective integration of environmental
science and policy. This has been possible because of the FCO
investment of time and resources over many years, and because
of the commitment of BAS to environmental work in both of these
Overseas Territories.
Further information on any of the issues contained
in this paper is available on request.
January 2007
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