ANTARCTICA
Under the Antarctic Treaty 1959, all bases International Whaling Commission
and equipment can be inspected at any
time, with different countries taking
(IWC)
responsibility for carrying out inspections. The ICW is responsible for regulating whaling and
ensuring that the whale population is at a sustainable
However, inspections don’t occur very
often. The Protocol of Environmental level. However, campaigners have criticised the IWC
Protection of the Antarctic Treaty was for not properly monitoring the number of whales in
the sanctuary.
signed in 1991 and added to the Treaty. It
banned mining, and set rules to protect
IWC set up a Whale
plants and animals, regulate waste disposal
Sanctuary in 1994
and prevent pollution. There is no system to
ensure all countries abide by the rules. If
there are disputes between countries they
are encouraged to negotiate, or they are The United Nations Environment
taken to the international court of justice.
Programme (UNEP)
In 1982 the IWC introduced a Whaling It is the main institution that governs the world
Moratorium that banned commercial whaling. environment. UNEP is responsible for reporting
Its believed to have helped whale populations activity in Antarctica to the UN. The programme in
in Antarctica increase. The moratorium is Antarctica is run by the Commission for the
monitored by estimating whale populations. Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Some countries want a better monitoring (CCAMLR), which aims to stop illegal fishing and
system, e.g. registering all the whaling boats conserve the Antarctic ecosystem e.g. by settling up
and giving them each observers. Non- protected areas. However, its effectiveness is limited
governmental organisation (NGOs) e.g. by individual countries protecting their own interests.
Greenpeace, have said the Whaling It took 5 years for CCAMLR to negotiate the creation
Moratorium is poorly enforced. Countries like of a marine protected area in the Ross Sea, and it
Japan have continued to kill large numbers of hasn’t reduced fishing quota since.
Antarctic whales for 'scientific research'
despite the ruling. NGOs
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
Affects on the world (ASOC) was formed in 1978 from a group of NGOs
Monitoring melting ice has informed efforts who were concerned that some countries were
to combat climate change. Global planning to make it legal to search for oil, gas and
governance may show down short term minerals in Antarctica. ASOC successfully
economic growth in some countries e.g. campaigned to make Antarctic Treaty meetings
limits on fishing limits the more transport, including letting NGOs to attend.
amount countries can ASOC is interesting in protecting Antartica and will
sell. Bye it secures Tourists speak out if anyone is exploiting it. ASOC
resources for the future. are monitors environmental changes their and whether
Global governance allows allows countries are sticking to the rules. It also monitors
greater scientific exploration to the effects that climate change is having on
of Antartica. visit Antarctica e.g. by checking melting ice and sea
safely levels. It campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Under the Antarctic Treaty 1959, all bases International Whaling Commission
and equipment can be inspected at any
time, with different countries taking
(IWC)
responsibility for carrying out inspections. The ICW is responsible for regulating whaling and
ensuring that the whale population is at a sustainable
However, inspections don’t occur very
often. The Protocol of Environmental level. However, campaigners have criticised the IWC
Protection of the Antarctic Treaty was for not properly monitoring the number of whales in
the sanctuary.
signed in 1991 and added to the Treaty. It
banned mining, and set rules to protect
IWC set up a Whale
plants and animals, regulate waste disposal
Sanctuary in 1994
and prevent pollution. There is no system to
ensure all countries abide by the rules. If
there are disputes between countries they
are encouraged to negotiate, or they are The United Nations Environment
taken to the international court of justice.
Programme (UNEP)
In 1982 the IWC introduced a Whaling It is the main institution that governs the world
Moratorium that banned commercial whaling. environment. UNEP is responsible for reporting
Its believed to have helped whale populations activity in Antarctica to the UN. The programme in
in Antarctica increase. The moratorium is Antarctica is run by the Commission for the
monitored by estimating whale populations. Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Some countries want a better monitoring (CCAMLR), which aims to stop illegal fishing and
system, e.g. registering all the whaling boats conserve the Antarctic ecosystem e.g. by settling up
and giving them each observers. Non- protected areas. However, its effectiveness is limited
governmental organisation (NGOs) e.g. by individual countries protecting their own interests.
Greenpeace, have said the Whaling It took 5 years for CCAMLR to negotiate the creation
Moratorium is poorly enforced. Countries like of a marine protected area in the Ross Sea, and it
Japan have continued to kill large numbers of hasn’t reduced fishing quota since.
Antarctic whales for 'scientific research'
despite the ruling. NGOs
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
Affects on the world (ASOC) was formed in 1978 from a group of NGOs
Monitoring melting ice has informed efforts who were concerned that some countries were
to combat climate change. Global planning to make it legal to search for oil, gas and
governance may show down short term minerals in Antarctica. ASOC successfully
economic growth in some countries e.g. campaigned to make Antarctic Treaty meetings
limits on fishing limits the more transport, including letting NGOs to attend.
amount countries can ASOC is interesting in protecting Antartica and will
sell. Bye it secures Tourists speak out if anyone is exploiting it. ASOC
resources for the future. are monitors environmental changes their and whether
Global governance allows allows countries are sticking to the rules. It also monitors
greater scientific exploration to the effects that climate change is having on
of Antartica. visit Antarctica e.g. by checking melting ice and sea
safely levels. It campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
