Legal Implications of China’s Proposal for an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) at Kunlun Station at Dome A

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
Sakiko Hataya
Keyword(s):  
Management Plan ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Dome A ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Kunlun Station

Built in 2009, Kunlun Station, China’s third Antarctic research station, is located in the Dome A region. In 2013, during the 36th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), China proposed the establishment of a new Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) within Dome A and prepared a draft management plan for it. Yet, several ATCM members questioned China’s motives for designating Dome A as a new ASMA, and, as a result, no consensus could be reached. Surprisingly however, the Chinese ASMA proposal spurred a new impulse to introduce guidelines for the designation of ASMAs. This paper explores the legal implications of China’s proposal for an ASMA at Kunlun Station in Dome A and, in particular, focuses on the new legal developments that followed.

scholarly journals “Logrolling” in Antarctic governance: Limits and opportunities

Polar Record ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey McGee ◽  
Bruno Arpi ◽  
Andrew Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
International Governance ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Current Case ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Kunlun Station ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) is considered a successful example of international governance as it has managed tensions over sovereignty claims, avoided militarisation and dealt with marine resources and environmental protection. Recently, China’s influence and assertiveness in many international institutions have significantly grown. What effect this shift in the international politics will have upon Antarctic governance remains to be seen. However, to further thinking on this issue we explore two current case studies that reveal pressure points within the ATS. First, in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Australia has proposed marine protected areas off East Antarctica, to which China and several other states have objected. Second, in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, China has proposed special management arrangements for the area around the “Kunlun” station, to which Australia and several other states have objected. Negotiation theory suggests “logrolling” (i.e. trade of mutual decision-making support across issue areas) can be an effective strategy to avoid diplomatic deadlocks. We therefore consider the merits of a logrolling strategy for the above issues. We find that while a logrolling strategy in the ATS might facilitate short-term diplomatic success, it would carry significant risks, including the weakening of existing norms.

Italian engagement in Antarctica

Polar Record ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 27 (161) ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Manzoni ◽  
M. Zucchelli
Keyword(s):  
Technical Research ◽  
Transport Aircraft ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Scientific Station ◽  
Logistic Support ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractFollowing Italy's accession to the Antarctic Treaty in 1981, the Italian Parliament made provision for a six-year programme of Antarctic research, to be administered by the Ministry for University and Scientific and Technical Research. The programme, Progetto Antartide, centres on a permanent scientific station at Gerlache Inlet, installed in 1986–87 for a staff of up to 60. Chartered ships, helicopters, snow vehicles and heavy transport aircraft provide logistic support for a substantial scientific and field programme, ranging widely from the base, the scope and extent of which is likely to increase.

Detection of human commensals in the area around an Antarctic research station

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Upton ◽  
T.H. Pennington ◽  
W. Haston ◽  
K.J. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Research Articles ◽  
Waste Materials ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Human Origin ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sensitive Issue ◽  
Human Contamination ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Microbial Contaminants

Human contamination of Antarctic environments is a sensitive issue and has been the focus of many research articles over the past 35 years. The majority of these studies have targeted waste materials and various hydrocarbons, with assessment of microbial contaminants being largely restricted to sewage outfalls. The present study aimed to detect bacteria of human origin in the area surrounding Halley research station. It was apparent from both molecular and culture methods that bacteria of human origin are extremely difficult to detect outside the immediate surrounding of the buildings, though recommendations are made for increasing the probability of determining the presence of organisms in the environment. The results also indicate that molecular methods are more sensitive than cultural techniques, in that the only evidence for organisms in the environment surrounding the buildings came from positive PCR reactions. PCR would appear to be a useful method for studying the microbial ecology of Antarctic environments.

scholarly journals Education and outreach by the Antarctic Treaty Parties, Observers and Experts under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings

Polar Record ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
José C. Xavier ◽  
Dragomir Mateev ◽  
Linda Capper ◽  
Annick Wilmotte ◽  
David W. H. Walton
Keyword(s):  
International Union ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Education And Outreach ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe development of formal discourse about education and outreach within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM), and the influence of major international activities in this field, are described. This study reflects on the ATCM Parties’ approach to implementing the ambition of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Article 6.1.a, to promote the educational value of Antarctica and its environment, and examines the role of workshops and expert groups within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes. These early initiatives, which emerged in the 1990s, were a prelude to the development and implementation of a large number of International Polar Year (IPY) education and outreach programmes. The establishment of an Antarctic Treaty System Intersessional Contact Group, and an online forum on education and outreach during the 2015 ATCM in Bulgaria, is a legacy of IPY and is the next step in fostering collaboration to engage people around the world in the importance and relevance of Antarctica to our daily lives.

scholarly journals Management of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas: permitting, visitation and information exchange practices

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. Pertierra ◽  
K.A. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Full Disclosure ◽  
Environmental Management Practices ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Specially Protected Areas

AbstractAntarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) represent the highest level of area protection within the Antarctic Treaty area. To reduce environmental impacts, ASPA visitors must comply with the Area's management plan and receive an entry permit from an appropriate national authority. Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty are obliged to exchange information on: i) the number of permits allocated for the forthcoming season, and ii) the number of visits to ASPAs during the previous season. We assessed the effectiveness of current permitting and information exchange practices by examining ASPA visitation data supplied to the Antarctic Treaty System's Electronic Information Exchange System during 2008/09–2010/11. We found that Parties have interpreted and implemented the protected area legislation inconsistently. Furthermore, some Parties did not fulfil their obligations under the Protocol by failing to provide full information on ASPA visitation. Estimations suggested that the level of ASPA visitation varied with ASPA location and the main value being protected. However, without full disclosure by Parties, ASPA visitation data is of limited use for informing general and ASPA-specific environmental management practices. Improved provision and formal interpretation of ASPA visitation data are recommended to enable more co-ordinated and effective management of activities within ASPAs.

scholarly journals The SCAR Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica Scientific Research Programme

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S288) ◽  
pp. 275-295
Author(s):  
John W. V. Storey ◽  
Lyu Abe ◽  
Michael Andersen ◽  
Philip Anderson ◽  
Michael Burton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Related Field ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Astronomy And Astrophysics ◽  
New Facilities

AbstractSCAR, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, is, like the IAU, a committee of ICSU, the International Council for Science. For over 30 years, SCAR has provided scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and made numerous recommendations on a variety of matters. In 2010, Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica was recognized as one of SCAR's five Scientific Research Programs. Broadly stated, the objectives of Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica are to coordinate astronomical activities in Antarctica in a way that ensures the best possible outcomes from international investment in Antarctic astronomy, and maximizes the opportunities for productive interaction with other disciplines. There are four Working Groups, dealing with site testing, Arctic astronomy, science goals, and major new facilities. Membership of the Working Groups is open to any professional working in astronomy or a related field.

SCAR BULLETIN No 151, October 2003

Polar Record ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-448
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Antarctic Treaty

Twenty-fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Warsaw, Poland, 10–20 September 2002Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 130 TRAMWAY RIDGE, MT. EREBUS, ROSS ISLAND

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