Estimating population status under conditions of uncertainty: the Ross seal in East Antarctica

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. Southwell ◽  
Charles G.M. Paxton ◽  
David L. Borchers ◽  
Peter L. Boveng ◽  
Erling S. Nordøy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Survey Design And Analysis ◽  
The Many ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) is the least studied of the Antarctic ice-breeding phocids. In particular, estimating the population status of the Ross seal has proved extremely difficult. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty currently designates the Ross seal as a ‘Specially Protected Species’, contrasting with the IUCN's classification of ‘Least Concern’. As part of a review of the Ross seal's classification under the Protocol, a survey was undertaken in 1999/2000 to estimate the status of the Ross seal population in the pack ice off East Antarctica between 64–150°E. Shipboard and aerial sighting surveys were carried out along 9476 km of transect to estimate the density of Ross seals hauled out on the ice, and satellite dive recorders deployed on a sample of Ross seals to estimate the proportion of time spent on the ice. The survey design and analysis addressed the many sources of uncertainty in estimating the abundance of this species in an effort to provide a range of best and plausible estimates. Best estimates of abundance in the survey region ranged from 41 300–55 900 seals. Limits on plausible estimates ranged from 20 500 (lower 2.5 percentile) to 226 600 (upper 97.5 percentile).

scholarly journals Antarctic politics and Antarctic science — are they at loggerheads?

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
John A Heap
Keyword(s):  
Legal Framework ◽  
Scientific Investigation ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Antarctic Environment

“Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only …… Freedom of scientific investigation and co-operation toward that end …… shall continue, subject to the provisions of the present Treaty.”These are the fundamental objectives of the Antarctic Treaty as expressed in Articles I and II. What follows in the Treaty, and in most of the many “Recommendations” to the Governments of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs), is aimed at securing these objectives by the creation of a framework of law. Unusually for a system of laws, most of this legal framework is hortatory rather than mandatory in character - it cajoles rather than orders. Perhaps not surprisingly this has given rise to damaging suggestions about its ability to provide adequate protection for the Antarctic environment. The response of the ATCPs to this criticism has been to embark on a review of existing Antarctic law, to make it more consistent, reduce overlaps and more especially, make much of it mandatory. This process began at the XIth Special Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Chile last November. Since it aims to provide greater clarity, accessibility and certainty in the law, it must be welcomed. But within these admirable objectives a prospect of loggerheads begins to loom.

Developing an Iranian Antarctic Science Roadmap: A Legal and Policy Outlook

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 435-454
Author(s):  
Zia E. Madani ◽  
Julia Jabour
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Geographical Proximity ◽  
Law And Policy ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Preparatory Work ◽  
Antarctic Treaty System

The Antarctic offers unique opportunities to scientists in many disciplines for improving understanding of regional and global conditions. The governing Antarctic Treaty has 53 State Parties, many of which do not have geographical proximity to the continent. However, the importance of various disciplines of science and many other factors, urge them to participate in the Antarctic scientific activities. Therefore, it is not surprising that Iran is considering participation in Antarctic scientific research, and it has now set processes in motion to join these states in their endeavour to undertake research in Antarctica and contribute to its governance. Iran will develop a strategic plan prior to the commencement of its Antarctic activities, outlining its vision and objectives of an Antarctic program, as well as the financial and logistical implications, and is currently undertaking preparatory work that will culminate in the drafting of an Antarctic strategic plan. In doing so, the authors examined a number of factors including ones that could be identified in Antarctic law and policy as influencing the status and development of the existing Antarctic regime, the recent Antarctic Treaty States’ accession processes and strategies, the express or implied motivations for States to join the Antarctic Treaty, and generally the Antarctic Treaty System, all of which can be reached based on the aforementioned examination that can be incorporated in an Iranian Antarctic science roadmap.

‘Awkward Antarctic nationalism’: bodies, ice cores and gateways in and beyond Australian Antarctic Territory/East Antarctica

Polar Record ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Dodds
Keyword(s):  
Action Plan ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Environmental Stewardship ◽  
Critical Scholarship ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Polar Science ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic

ABSTRACTThis paper explores ‘awkward Antarctic nationalism’ and builds on the critical scholarship that explores the contours and contradictions of everyday, mundane, banal and even hot polar nationalisms. The emphasis on ‘awkward’ is designed to draw attention to the resonances and affordances that are associated with Australian polar nationalism in and beyond the Australian Antarctic Territory/East Antarctica. Using the 2016Australian Antarctic strategy: 20 year action planas a starting point, it considers how bodies, ice cores and gateways are put to work in order to address a fundamental pressure facing all claimant states. That is how to reassure domestic audiences that claims to territory and access are safe, sovereign and secure without alienating others with whom one wishes to do business within a particular area of Antarctica. More broadly, the paper concludes that both claimant states and non-claimant states are rubbing up against one another in areas such as custodianship, environmental stewardship and polar science and logistics. This has implications for how we interrogate the ideals and practices of the Antarctic Treaty.

Conflicting science requirements impact on rare moss conservation measures

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis R. Pertierra ◽  
Francisco Lara ◽  
Javier Benayas ◽  
Ronald I. Lewis-Smith ◽  
Kevin A. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Deception Island ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Geothermal Activity ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Specially Protected Areas ◽  
Antarctic Environment

AbstractThe Antarctic Treaty recognizes the outstanding scientific values of the Antarctic environment through the designation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) that have rigorous management plans specific to each site. Deception Island has the largest concentration of rare bryophyte species and communities in Antarctica, while also offering substantial opportunities for research in a range of scientific disciplines due to its volcanic nature. As a result, conflicts between research interests and conservation goals may arise. On the summit ridge of Caliente Hill severe trampling damage to the moss assemblages growing in association with localized geothermal activity was observed. The range of species affected included the entire known population of Schistidium deceptionense, an endemic moss known only from this site, as well as other very rare Antarctic mosses (Ditrichum ditrichoideum, Bryum orbiculatifolium, Bucklandiella subcrispipila, Pohlia wahlenbergii and Dicranella hookeri). A photomapping study was undertaken to characterize further the status of the site and monitor changes within it. Increased awareness, co-ordination of activities and a spatial zoning within the site could help mitigate damage from permitted activities. Nevertheless, prioritization of longer term conservation goals over short-term research interests may ultimately be necessary where local human impact cannot be managed by other means.

scholarly journals THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATUS OF THE BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY AS A SECTOR OF ANTARCTICA AND THE SUBJECT OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

2016 ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
Игорь Ирхин ◽  
Igor Irkhin
Keyword(s):  
Legal Regime ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Current Period ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Territorial Claims ◽  
Overseas Territories ◽  
The Antarctic

The article emphases that the current period of legal vacuum in the form of “freezing” the territorial claims of states in Antarctica, including the British Antarctic Territory, is not an unconditional guarantee means to prevent the international communication subjects’ claiming for the future sovereign and “quasi-sovereign” standing to the Antarctica and its regions with the formalization of the public authorities’ respective powers in the national legislation. The author also emphases on the relevance of improving the Antarctic’s international-legal regime. This includes the detail of unification and standardization of responsibility mechanisms for violation of the existing legal acts’ provisions that determines the procedure and conditions for international cooperation on this continent. It is proposed to consider the validity and appropriateness of the Antarctic Treaty 1959 regulations on consolidation opportunities of previously asserted rights of Contracting Parties or their claims to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica. The author believes that the rule of this legal act generates the problem of uncertainty of the States sovereign rights over the continent and its particular parts. The article also brings an argument that position on the lack of validity of the relations qualification between Britain and the British Antarctic Territory as a partnership and as the management of overseas territory are carried out directly and exclusively by the British authorities in the person of Commissioner, there is no “local” institutions of public authority and no permanent population. In addition, the category of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, which is the basic qualification under the partnership, excludes the independence of the Overseas Territories as it absorbs partnerships leveling its qualitative characteristics. The author analyzes features of the constitutional status of the Commissioner as a representative of the British Crown. It is necessary to bring the provisions of the Order of the British Antarctic Territory 1989 in line with the Antarctic Treaty 1959.

The status and seasonal occurrence of Leopard Seals, Hydrurga leptonyx, in Tasmanian waters.

1994 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
D. Rounsevell ◽  
D. Pemberton
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Seasonal Occurrence ◽  
Clinal Variation ◽  
Dispersal Pattern ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Subantarctic Islands ◽  
Hydrurga Leptonyx ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Antarctic

Seventy nine sightings of Leopard Seals, Hydrurga leptonyx, made over a period of 7 years in Tasmania are reported. They show that the species occurs annually in Tasmanian waters between July and November, probably as a result of northward movement from the Antarctic pack ice zone. Its seasonal occurrence in Tasmanian waters implies that it is a regular member of the marine fauna of the region. This is in contrast to previous reports that the species was a rare vagrant, occasionally stranding along the coastline. Comparisons of the age structure of H. leptonyx in Tasmania with those on subantarctic islands suggests that there is a clinal variation with latitude in the dispersal pattern, as young animals disperse further north than adults.

Environmental effects of human activities on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Polar Record ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 27 (162) ◽  
pp. 193-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin M. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
King George Island ◽  
Shetland Islands ◽  
The Status ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Management Issues

AbstractKing George Island, largest of the South Shetland Islands, is the site of nine scientific stations of different nationalities operating within the Antarctic Treaty System. Following a recent visit by the author to assess environmental and management issues, this article (the first of two) updates the status of developments on the island and outlines problems, real and potential.which have arisen from scientific activities, tourism, vehicles, use of fuels and waste disposal. It is concluded that existing management practices have not been adequate to deal with these problems and new approaches are required.

The political origins of the Antarctic Treaty

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rip Bulkeley
Keyword(s):  
Good Deal ◽  
The Political ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
Creation Myth ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Private Citizens ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical

Like many great institutions, the Antarctic Treaty system has its own creation myth, according to which it was brought into being by the Antarctic science programme of the 1957–1958 International Geophysical Year (IGY). As myths are prone to do, this one combines both an important truth and a good deal of misinformation. After fifty years in which it has shamelessly flattered the earth scientists, who are understandably rather fond of it, and undervalued the many non-scientists who advocated the internationalisation of Antarctica from 1910 onwards, it is time to lay it to rest. But before summarising the intermeshing contributions of private citizens, diplomats and other officials, and scientists, we should first take note of a different factor altogether, political geography.

Tourists’ Non-Compliant Behaviours in Antarctica: An Assessment of Adherence to Pro-Environmental Guidelines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Read IV ◽  
Susan L. Slocum ◽  
Margaret J. Daniels ◽  
Brenda P. Wiggins
Keyword(s):  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
International Association ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Knowledge Gap ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
The Status ◽  
Environmental Guidelines ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic

Research on compliance of tourists to guidelines in Antarctica has been limited. This investigation explores if the current reporting methods sufficiently provide an accurate measure of tourists’ non-compliance. Specifically, the study addresses the compliance knowledge gap regarding Antarctic tourist behaviours by documenting instances of non-compliance with the General Guidelines for Visitors to the Antarctic (GGVA) to determine if the Antarctic Treaty Inspection Program (ATIP) and industry reports accurately reflect the frequency of non-compliance in the Antarctic. Conducted in-situ at four landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, documented instances of non-compliance, occur at a frequency of 1.63 instances per minute ashore. Based on available data from the ATIP and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, this frequency of non-compliance challenges the status-quo and implies that further investigation is necessary.

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