Key Benefits:
Bs. As., 2/8/95
VISTO the seventeenth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held from 11 to 20 November 1992 in the city of Venice, ITALIAN REPUBLIC, and
CONSIDERING:
That the Argentine Republic, in its capacity as an Advisory Party to the above-mentioned international instrument, approved by Law 15.802, was represented at the event by delegates in a timely manner designated for that purpose.
On that occasion, adopted by consensus CUATRO (4) Recommendations which, in accordance with article IX of the Antarctic Treaty, shall enter into force when approved by all Contracting Parties with the authority to participate in the Consultative Meetings.
It is up to the dictation of this act to adopt the recommendations mentioned in the previous consideration.
That jurisdictions with competence on the subject have favourably pronounced on the measure.
That this Decree is issued in the use of the powers provided for in article 99, paragraph 11, of the NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.
Therefore,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINA NATION
RIGHT:
Article 1 las Approved the CUATRO (4) Recommendations adopted at the XVII Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held in Venice, ITALIAN REPUBLIC, from 11 to 20 November 1992, the text of which is annexed to this Decree. Art. 2o . Please provide this approval to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties. Art. 3o . Communicate, publish, give to the National Directorate of the Official Register and archvese. . MENEM. Guido Di Tella.PART II
RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED IN
THE XVII ADVISORY MEETING OF THE
Recommendation XVII-1 ENVIRONMENTAL FRANCE AND DATA MANAGEMENT Representatives, Making reference to Recommendations XV-5, XVI-16, XVI-12 and paragraphs 106-109 of the Report of the XVI RTCA. Taking note of the Report and the valuable work of the First Meeting of Experts on Environmental Surveillance in Antarctica (XVII RCTA/INFO 9) and the Recommendations defined in the above-mentioned Report; Taking note that improved data management can improve the quality of environmental monitoring in Antarctica, operations and science. Taking note In addition, the SCAR-COMNAP Report (XVII RTCA/WP5) describing the actions that can be taken to establish a coordinated management system in order to improve the comparability and accessibility of scientific and environmental data that national programmes have collected, in accordance with Recommendations XIII-5 and XV-16 of the RCTA. Recognizing that the Final Act of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment agreed that it was appropriate to ensure its effective implementation as soon as possible; and that paragraph 69 of the Report of the XVI RTCA calls upon Contracting Parties to ratify the Protocol as soon as possible and that, in the meantime, efforts are made to implement the provisions of the Annexes as quickly and fully as possible. Recognizing that in order to comply with the conditions of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment as specified in Articles 3.2 (d) and 3.2 (e) for regular and effective monitoring, to allow the assessment of the harmful impacts of human activities, it is necessary to concentrate the monitoring of the environmental impact in particular on the anthropogenic effects at the local level. Aware which, once established, the Committee for the Protection of the Environment may provide advice on these measures, in accordance with its mandate as defined in the Protocol. Aware that monitoring can be costly and may need a long-term commitment and that any environmental surveillance should be scientifically defendable, practicable and of reduced cost. Recommend to their Governments of: 1. Request SCAR through its National Committees to consider and advise on:(i) the types of long-term programmes, if any, necessary to verify that human activities (such as tourism, scientific research or other activities) have no harmful effects on birds, seals and plants; and
(ii) emissions standards that would have to be established to ensure that the combustion of fossil gases and the incineration of waste do not contaminate the Antarctic atmosphere, soil, ice the aquatic or marine environment by compromising its scientific value.
2. Request COMNAP Representatives in consultation with SCAR to define research programmes for a subset representative of facilities in Antarctica to determine how the types and magnitude of the facilities in the various locations (e.g. coastal and interior stations located on rocks and ice banks) affect the Antarctic Environment. 3. Facilitate a list of Antarctic data groups completed and archived by their nationals and make it available to the other Parties, SCAR and COMNAP, as soon as possible to lay the foundations for the realization of the Antarctic Data Directory. 4. To establish, appropriately, national agreements to provide advice on the types of data access and production mechanisms that meet both the basis scientific requirements and environmental monitoring requirements. Recommendation XVII-2 REVISED DESCRIPTIONS AND PROPOSED ORDER PLANS FOR SPECIALIZED ZONESRepresentatives,
Making reference Recommendations XV-8 and XV-9; Taking note that the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) has approved the revised Area Descriptions and the proposed Management Plans; Taking note that the format of these Descriptions of the Revised Zone and the proposed Plans of Ordinance in accordance with Article 5 of Annex V to the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment approved in accordance with Recommendation XVI-10; Recommend to their Governments that for the Specially Protected Areas listed below:(i) The Descriptions added in Annex B, Specially Protected Areas, of the Concorded Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora are deleted;
(ii) The Descriptions and Plans of the Specially Protected Areas, attached to this Recommendation, are added to Annex B, Specially Protected Areas, of the Concorded Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora;
The Specially Protected Areas concerned are:
| ZONA No. 1 | Taylor Rookery, Mac Robertson Land; |
| ZONA No. 2 | Rookery Islands, Holme Bay, Mac Robertson Land; |
| ZONA No. 3 | Ardery Island and Odbert Island, Budd Coast; |
| ZONA No. 20 | New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird Ross Island. |
The area was originally identified as a Specially Protected Area because it contains a colony of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) which constitutes one of the few, and probably the largest, of the known colonies of this species that is in its entirety on the firm land. Almost all the other colonies of emperor penguins are on the ice platforms of the sea. This colony is also important because it allows the long-term monitoring of the population of penguins (since 1954), and represents an ideal example for recounting purposes as it is surrounded by small rock formations that allow the observation of each bird without entering the breeding area. Since 1988 every year a photographic census programme has been carried out, with which it is estimated that it has been possible to carry out an account of individuals with almost total accuracy.
2. PROPOSITS AND OBJECTIVESManagement of the Area is intended to:
Preventing unnecessary disruption to the Taylor Rookery emperor penguin colony; and
* allow urgent scientific research to be carried out which cannot be carried out elsewhere, while ensuring that the ecosystem of the area, including the penguin colony, is not caused.
3. REGIONAL ACTIVITIESThe Area Management Plan and Activities should be subject to a continuing review to ensure that the values that have led to the identification of the Area are fully safeguarded. Inspections may be carried out only when they are considered indispensable for the purposes of management.
4. DESIGNATION PERIODUnder Recommendation IV-1 of the RCTA of November 1966, the Area is considered to be protected for an indefinite period.
5. DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONE(a) Geographic coordinates and natural characteristics of the Area:
The area is made up of the entire northernmost rocky mass of the eastern slope of the Taylor Glacier, on the Mac Robertson Earth (67o26'S; 60o50'E.) The colony is located in a low-level rocky outcrop located in the south-west bay of a bay formed by the Taylor Glacier to the west, the polar cap to the south and the islands of the Colbeck Archipelago to the east. The area is surrounded by floating ice in the north and east, and its surface is about 90 kilometres west of Mawson station. There is an ice-free zone adjacent to the glacier along the western border and in the south the rocky mass rises with a steep decline to the ice plateau. The rocky mass itself forms a horseshoe around the central depression formed by outstanding rocks and morrenas. In winter the area is covered with snow and hosts the emperor penguins. The compressed snow layer melts in summer forming a shallow lake and a water course that flows from north to east. The side parts of the horseshoe are formed by bare undulating rocky masses and the ice confers a smooth look.
In other parts the terrain is rough and full of cracks and fissures. The average height of the rocky masses is 30 meters. The area also has a high coast, typical of many parts of the Earth coast of Mac Robertson. The beach is made up of pebbles and pebbles rolled from one centimeter to one metre in diameter, and from the coast comes a steeple that forms a well-defined platform of several meters wide and from 3 to 6 meters high above sea level.
There is no sign of demarcation since the Area is well defined by its natural characteristics.
(b) Access to the Area:
It is possible to access the Area only with a permit or authorization granted by a Contracting Party or its authorized representative.
There are restrictions on the modes of transport to and within the Area and there are prescribed access points; see Section B (a).
(c) Location of infrastructure, including scientific stations, research facilities and facilities and shelters in or near the Area:
There is no infrastructure within the Area and the establishment of permanent facilities is not permitted. A four-bed shelter is located in the Colbeck Archipelago, 5 kilometres north-west of the area (see map B). Mawson Station (67o36'S, 62o53'E) is about 90 kilometres east.
(d) Location of other protected areas within or near the Area:
Rookery Islands (Specially Protected Areas No. 2) are approximately 80 kilometres east of Taylor Rookery (see map A).
6. IDENTIFICATION OF LIMITED ZONESAccess to the colony of emperor penguins, which is indicated on Map C, is prohibited except in cases where a permit authorizes it.
7. MAPAS DE LA ZONAMap A indicates the location of the Area in relation to the Mawson region, map B indicates the location of the field shelter of the Colbeck Archipelago and the access roads to the Area; map C provides further details on the entire Area, including the usual location of the penguin colony and the area in which all activities, such as landing of helicopters and installation of camps on the ground, are to be carried out.
8. CONDITIONS FOR MATTERS UNDER PERMISSIONSThe criteria for granting an access permit to the Area are as follows:
* permission is granted for the conduct of scientific activities of an urgent nature that cannot be carried out elsewhere.
* permitted activities shall not endanger the natural ecological system of the Zone.
* permitted activities shall be in accordance with the Area Management Plan.
Conditions applied to:
(a) Access to and displacement within the Zone
(i) Whenever possible, it must be accessed from the floating ice zone east of the Colbeck Archipelago, to prevent birds from being disrupted by crossing the paths that they travel from the colony to the sea (see map B). People in the vicinity, without approaching the colony, should know the paths of the penguins and try to cause them the least possible disorder.
(ii) You can reach the Zone with snow vehicles, which is usually only possible in the period from 1 May to 25 December, or with helicopters. Vehicles are prohibited from entering the Area. The snow vehicles used for transport to the Area must be left out of it, east, and access must be made on foot. The road of access for vehicles is indicated on map B.
(iii) The helicopters are not allowed to land in the Area, unless the conditions of the floating ice in the Area constitute a danger to landing the aircraft or passing the personnel. If the conditions of the ice are not suitable for landing, the helicopters are allowed to land inside the Area, in the northwest area, where a promontory that is left from the south conceals the colony (see map C). The road to helicopters is indicated on map B.
(iv) The following conditions apply to the use of helicopters.
* helicopters should approach the Area proceeding from the east by overflying floating ice and landing outside the Area, when the ice conditions permit, accessing it on foot (see map B).
* It is forbidden to fly over the colony
*When landing outside the Area, helicopters shall not carry out landing, take-off or flight operations at a distance less than 500 metres from the colony;
* Having to land inside the Area due to the conditions of floating ice, the helicopters must do so in the northwest region where a promontory that is left from the south conceals the colony (see map C).
* Helicopter approaching the land in the Area should fly as low as possible on floating ice to avoid causing penguin disorders; and
* helicopters will not be able to charge petrol inside the Zone.
(v) Within the Zone there is no marked pedestrian path; pedestrians must remain at the proper distance of penguins unless they are not specifically authorized to approach them. As you travel within or near the Zone, in general the paths used by birds should not be crossed.
(vi) Dogs should not be used as a means of transport to reach the Area.
(b) Activities that must or may be carried out within the Area, including temporary and territorial restrictions:
(i) Penguins are particularly sensitive to disorders during the following periods:
* while the eggs are packed, from mid-May to mid-July
* from mid-July, when they have to feed the chicks, until mid-December, when the baby starts. However, it is known that the penguins live in the colony throughout the year, except in the month of February, on which there is no news that no expedition has been made, therefore these restrictions are in force throughout the year.
(ii) The colony of the emperor penguins is ideal for counting purposes. Normally the most advantageous point to observe and photograph the penguins is a rocky promontory that extends near the Taylor Glacier, west of the colony. The most timely time for the census is from 22 May to 5 July, as in this period there are only the males who empolize the eggs, each of which represents a reproductive couple. A photographic census programme has been conducted since 1988.
(iii) Other activities may be carried out in the Area:
* urgent scientific research that cannot be carried out elsewhere and which pose no danger to the ecosystem of the Area; and
Emergency management activities which, if not implemented, would endanger the values and resources for which the Area has been established.
(c) Installation, modification and removal of infrastructures:
No infrastructure should be established in the Area unless it was not essential for scientific purposes; any established infrastructure should be eliminated when it was no longer necessary. Only the staff strictly necessary to establish and eliminate infrastructure should be employed. If the establishment of field shelters is allowed, they must be installed far from the penguin colony, in the northwest area, where a promontory that wanders from the south conceals the colony (see map C).
(d) Base camp location:
See subparagraph (c) above.
(e) Restrictions on materials and organisms that can be introduced in the Area:
(i) No poultry products, including powdered or liofilized foods, such as soup and eggs, may be introduced in the Area.
(ii) Within the Area, no food stored or other supplies may be stored for a period of time longer than the period they need.
(iii) Fuel should not be stored in the Area unless required by the visitor for personal use, i.e. for the kitchen/heating of the shelter, and the remaining fuel should be disposed of when it is no longer served.
(f) Elimination of harmful interferences in native flora and fauna:
The "take" of native flora and fauna and harmful intrusions is prohibited unless they are not specifically authorized by a permit granted in accordance with the Concerted Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, or with Article 3 of Annex III to the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment, as appropriate.
(g) Collection or elimination of what has been introduced in the Area by persons without specific permission:
Nothing that has not been introduced in the Area by authorized persons shall be collected or deleted except for authorization by a specific permit, for scientific or management purposes.
(h) Waste disposal:
No waste should be left in the area, including humans.
(i) Measures necessary to ensure that the objectives and objectives of the Order Plan can be continued.
♪ Permits should specify the maximum number of persons allowed to enter at all times.
♪ Visits allowed in the Area should be kept at the minimum necessary to achieve research and management objectives.
♪ Access should be allowed, where necessary, to establish or remove infrastructure or equipment.
(j) Reporting:
Each authorized person shall submit a report to the authority that granted him the permission in which he shall detail the activities he has carried out within the Area, including a summary of the results of his investigations and observations on the measures taken to comply with the conditions established. Where appropriate, the report may make recommendations concerning the management of the area, considering, in particular, whether appropriately safeguarding the values and resources that justify the protection of the Area. The report should be submitted as soon as possible, once the visit to the Area has been completed.
In the Rockery Islands there is a breeding colony of six species living in the Area; Adelaide penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), Petrel del Cabo (Daption capensis), Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea), Giant Petrel of the South (Giant Macronects), Petrel Wilsonstorm (Oceanites oceanicus) and the Antarctic Plot (Catharacta maccormicki). The giant petrel of the south does not breed anywhere else in the region. The designation of the Area wants to protect this unusual association of six species and ensure the conservation of an island habitat near the coast as a sample.
2. PROPOSITS AND OBJECTIVESArea management is proposed:
* maintain a reference area that has not been modified by human intrusion;
* allowing urgent scientific research to be conducted that cannot be carried out in other places, while ensuring that the ecosystem of the area is less significantly disrupted and maintaining the ZEP intact as a reference zone; and
* ensure that the colonies of the giant petreles, which run local extinction, are not in danger because of human activities.
3. REGIONAL ACTIVITIESThe Area Management Plan and Activities should be subject to continuous review to ensure that the values that have led to the identification of the Area are fully safeguarded. Inspections should be carried out only when they are considered indispensable for the purposes of management.
4. DESIGNATION PERIODUnder Recommendation IV-1 of November 1966, the area is considered protected for an indefinite period.
5. DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONE(a) Geographic coordinates and natural characteristics of the Area:
The Rookery Islands are a group of small islands and rocks in the southwest of Holme Bay, Mac Robertson Land, approximately 10 kilometres west of Australian station, Mawson. The area includes islands and rocks in the rectangle delimited on map B (see Section 7), the general location is latitude 67o 37'S, longitude 62o 33'E. There are no signs of demarcation that delimit the site. There are approximately 75 small islands. The dimensions range from small rocks, which remain just above the level of water during the high tide, to the largest of the group that are the Giant Island (approximately 400 m long, 400 m wide and 30 m of elevation) and the Rookery Island that is a similar but a little longer. Rookery Island is the highest in the group with its 62 m elevation. Beaches in relief are evident on Giant Island. The Rookery Islands are Mawson Charnockite outcrops a type of rock that can be found in an area of at least 2000 km along the Mawson coasts of the Mac Robertson Earth.
There are algae, although not yet identified, but no moss or lichens. There are no freshwater masses on the islands of Rookery.
(b) Access to the area:
The area can be accessed only if an even valid permit is granted by one of the contracting parties or an authorized representative.
There are no prescribed access points. Restrictions refer only to the modes of transport and the approach to breeding colonies; as far as this point is concerned, see Section (8).
(c) Location of infrastructures including scientific stations, means and research facilities and shelters located in and around the Area:
There are no such stations in the Area. The Mawson station (67o36'S, 62o53'E) is approximately 10 kilometres east.
(d) Location of protected areas in or around the Area:
Taylor Rookery (Specially Protected Area No. 1) is approximately 80 km west of the islands at latitude 67o26'S, length 60o50'E.
6. IDENTIFICATION OF LIMITED ZONESAccess to Giant Island is prohibited except where a permit authorizes it. See 8 (a) (vi) below.
7. MAPAS DE LA ZONAMap A indicates the location of the Rockery Islands in the Mawson area, and map B provides more detailed indications about the Area.
8. CONDITIONS BY MATTERS UNDER THE PERMISSIONSThe criteria for granting an access permit to the Area are as follows:
* The permit is granted for the conduct of scientific activities of an urgent nature that cannot be carried out elsewhere;
* permitted activities shall not endanger the natural ecological system of the area; and
* permitted activities shall be in line with the management of the Area;
Conditions applied to:
(a) Access to the Zone and displacement within it:
(i) You can travel with snow vehicles from 20 November for four to six weeks (according to seasonal variations in sea conditions). Visitors should ensure that vehicles do not reach more than 200 m of bird concentrations and are always left in the coastal areas.
(ii) The helicopter can sometimes be the only way to access the islands, and as the islands are small, the aircraft can land at a distance not less than 500 metres from the breeding colonies. A helicopter can get permission to land for scientific activities only if it can prove that the level of disorder will be minimal.
(iii) Gas is not allowed in the Area.
(iv) It is prohibited to fly over the islands except where it is essential for scientific purposes. When flying over, you have to maintain an altitude that is not less than 500 m.
(v) Dogs for transports in the Area are not allowed.
(vi) Access to Giant Island is permitted only for observation of giant petreles (Giant Macronects). The breeding colony is close to extinction and birds suffer disorders easily, so the number of people who can access must be minimal and must have an ornithological experience.
(b) Activities carried out or can be carried out in the Area, including time and location restrictions:
(i) Activities of particular scientific interest that cannot be carried out elsewhere.
(ii) Intended management activities, which must be carried out to avoid jeopardizing the values for which this Area has been designated.
(c) Installation, modification or disposal of infrastructures.
No infrastructure, including field shelters, can be installed in the area unless they are essential for scientific purposes, each installed infrastructure must be eliminated when it ceases to be necessary. The smallest possible number of people need to be used to install and remove the infrastructure.
(d) Location of field camps:
See point (c).
(e) Restrictions on materials and organisms that can be introduced in the Area:
(i) Fuel can not be stored in the Area except when a researcher asks for personal uses, i.e. for cooking/heating at the shelter, and has to be eliminated when it does not serve.
(ii) Poultry products even liofilized or powdered products, such as eggs and soup, are prohibited.
(iii) Within the area, no food stored or other supplies may be stored for a period of time longer than the period required.
(f) The "toma" of native flora and fauna and harmful intromissions:
The "toma" of native flora and fauna and harmful intromissions is prohibited, and only if they are granted by a permit that complies with the Concerted Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna, or with Article 3 of Annex II to the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment, as appropriate.
(g) Collection or removal of all that has been introduced in the area by the authorized person:
Nothing that has not been introduced in the area by the authorised person should be collected or removed unless a permit for scientific or management purposes is granted.
(h) Waste disposal:
No waste, including human waste, should be left in the area.
(i) Measures that may be necessary to ensure that the objectives and objectives of the Order Plan are further achieved.
♪ Permits should specify the maximum number of persons who can access the Area.
♪ Visits in the Area should be limited when installation or removal of infrastructure or equipment is required.
♪ Access should be allowed when necessary to install or remove infrastructure or equipment.
(j) Reporting
Each authorized person shall have to submit a report to the authority granting the permit, providing details on the activities carried out in the Area, a summary of the results of the investigation, and comments indicating the measures used to comply with established conditions. Where necessary, the report may make recommendations relevant to the management of the Area, and refer, in particular, to the extent that the values for which the Area is protected have been adequately safeguarded. The report will have to be sent as soon as possible after the visit to the Area has been completed.
The Ardery and Odbert islands host different species of petreles reproduction and offer a sample of their habitat. There is no other accessible place in the East Antarctic where four petreles genres (Thalassoica antartica, Fulmarus glacialoides, Daption capensis and Pagodroma nivea) are reproduced in the same place and in a sufficiently high number to allow a comparative study. The studies of these four species in this unique locality have a great ecological importance for understanding and observing the ecosystem of the South Ocean. Ardery Island is supposed to be unique because it represents the only area in the Antarctic that hosts two different subspecies of petreles. Studies on morphological and ecological differences between these two subspecies cannot be carried out anywhere else. In addition, both islands host breeding colonies of the petreles (Oceanites oceanicus) and of Antarctic skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) and Odbert Island hosts breeding colonies of Adelaide penguins (Pygoscelis Adeliae).
2. PROPOSITS AND OBJECTIVESManagement of the Area is proposed:
♪ Prevent petrel colonies from suffering unnecessarily; and
♪ Allow urgent scientific research that cannot be carried out in other places, while ensuring that they have the lowest possible impact in the area.
3. REGIONAL ACTIVITIESThe area management plan and activities should be subject to continuous review to ensure that the values that have led to the identification of the area are fully safeguarded. Inspections should be carried out only when they are deemed indispensable for the purposes of management.
4. DESIGNATION PERIODThe area has been designated under Recommendation IV-3 in November 1966 and is considered protected for an indefinite period.
5. DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONE(a) Geographic coordinates and natural characteristics of the Area:
Ardery Island (66o22'S, 110o28'E) and Odbert Island (66o22'S, 110o33'E) are part of the Windmill Islands group located east of Vincennes Bay, along the Budd Coast (see map A). They are located 5 km west of Robinson Ridge and 0.6 km south of Casey Station. Odbert Island is approximately 2.5 km long and 0.5 km wide. It has a coast formed by rocky masses rising from the sea to a plateau. Its maximum level is 100 meters above sea level. The highland is spread by a series of valleys extending from the south to the high northern plateau. These valleys are covered with snow during the winter. The hilltops are usually left without ice and snow. In a few years the island is joined by Robinson Ridge, who is on the ground, through floating ice. Ardery Island is a very steep island and is not covered with ice, long approximately 1 km and wide 0.5 km, east-west facing. The highest point is 113 m above the average sea level.
The land on both islands is rough and full of fissures. The brooms are fragmented and have naked paths that host nesting birds in the summer. In the hilly and highland areas, the rocky mass exposed is smoothed by the ice and the bottom of the valleys is covered by morrenas. Both islands have different small rivers that are frozen in winter and become snow-water courses in summer. Many of them are ephemeral and dry before the end of the summer. Others who are at an altitude below that of snow banks are continually fed with snowwater.
(b) Access to the Area
The Area can be accessed only if an even valid permit is granted by one of the Contracting Parties or an authorized representative.
The locations where helicopters can be accessed or arrived to the Ardery Islands and Odbert are described on maps B and C respectively. On Ardery Island the best landing place for ships is the Robertson Landing where three rock anchor points are located to hold ships and other equipment. The three landing sites listed on Map B are located at a distance of 200 m. from the colonies of birds; however, they represent the only safe landing points on the island and if it is attracted with due caution, no disorders are caused to birds.
There are no pedestrian paths in the area, although pedestrians will have to avoid all disorder to birds.
(c) Location of infrastructures including scientific stations, research facilities and facilities and shelters in and around the Area.
There is no infrastructure in the Area and the installation of permanent structures is not permitted.
The islands are approximately 12 km south of Casey Station.
There is a four-seater shelter in Robinson Ridge, 5 km from the beach.
(d) Location of other protected areas in or around the area.
The North - Bailey Peninsula (66o17'S, 11o32'E) (Scientific Special Interest Site) and the Clark Peninsula (66o15'S, 110o36'E) (Scientific Special Interest Site) are located opposite the Windmill Islands (see map A).
6. IDENTIFICATION OF LIMITED ZONESAccess to the colonies of petreles and penguins Adelaida, which are indicated on maps B and C, is prohibited except in cases where a permit is authorized.
7. MAPAS DE LA ZONAThree maps of the area are included.
Map A indicates the Zone and its location.
Map B (Isla Ardery) and
Map C (Odbert Island) indicates the most appropriate areas for the landing of the helicopters and for the landing, the sea access sites and the location of the breeding colonies of the petreles and the Adelaide penguins.
8. CONDITIONS FOR THE CONCESION OF PERMISSIONSThe criteria for granting an access permit to the area are:
♪ The permit is granted for the conduct of scientific activities of an urgent nature that cannot be carried out elsewhere;
♪ The permitted activities should not endanger the natural ecological system of the area; and
♪ The permitted activities should be aligned with the management of the area.
Conditions applied to:
(a) Access to the area and displacement within it.
(i) On the islands you can travel on foot, with snow vehicles or boats, where possible; the snow vehicles used to visit the islands must be left in the coastal areas and the displacements in the area will have to be made on foot.
(ii) If the islands are not accessible by sea or by floating ice, helicopters may be used provided they meet the following conditions:
♪ It is prohibited to fly over the islands except where this is essential for scientific purposes. In such cases it can be overflew at an altitude or horizontal distance of 500 m. ;
♪ During the reproduction period of the petreles and penguins, which is considered here from 1 November to 1 April, helicopter trips to the islands should be limited to the maximum extent possible;
♪ Petrol is not allowed in the Area;
♪ Only persons who have to do activities in the Area can leave the helicopters there;
♪ To approach the Ardery Island you will have to fly at an elevated altitude and proceed from the south because the lowest density of birds is recorded in the southern brooms (see map B);
♪ To get closer to Odbert Island it will be preferable to get from the south, avoiding the areas of the brooms so as not to disturb the nesting petreles (see map C).
(b) Activities that are carried out or may be carried out in the Area and which include temporary and territorial restrictions:
(i) Activities of particular scientific interest that cannot be carried out elsewhere.
(ii) Emergency management activities, which should be carried out to avoid endangering the values for which the Area has been designated.
(iii) When activities have to interfere with birds, every effort should be made to ensure the minor disorder, particularly during the period from 1 November to 1 April.
(c) Installation, modification or removal of infrastructures:
No infrastructure, including field shelters, can be installed in the area unless it is essential for scientific purposes. Each installed infrastructure should be removed when it is no longer necessary. A field shelter on Ardery Island should be installed as soon as possible before 1 November, when the reproduction period begins, and removed after 1 April, when the chicks are gone. The facilities and removal should be carried out with means of snow transport, except when the conditions of floating ice do not allow. For the use of helicopters see subparagraph (a) ii.
(d) Location of field camps:
If it is necessary for field activities to establish a shelter, it can be installed on Ardery Island, in the area indicated on Map B. On that site there are 8 anchor points available on the rock.
(e) Restrictions on materials and organisms that can be introduced in the Area:
(i) Fuel can not be stored in the Area except when a researcher requests it for personal uses, i.e. for cooking/heating purposes in the shelter, and the remaining fuel should be disposed of along with the shelter.
(ii) The introduction of poultry products, including liofilized or powdered products such as eggs and soup, is prohibited.
(f) The "take" of native flora and fauna and harmful intromissions.
The "take" of native flora and fauna and harmful intromissions is prohibited, and only if they are granted by a permit compliant with the Concerted Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna, or with Article 3 of Annex II to the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment, as appropriate.
(g) Collection or removal of what has been introduced in the Area by persons without specific permission:
Nothing that has been introduced in the area by authorized persons shall be collected or removed except for authorization by a specific permit, for scientific or management purposes.
(h) Waste disposal;
No waste should be left in the area, including humans.
(i) Measures that may be necessary to ensure that the objectives and objectives of the Order Plan continue to be met:
♪ Permits should specify the maximum number of persons allowed to enter the Area at all times.
♪ Visits permitted in the Area should be limited to scientific and management research.
♪ Access should be allowed, where necessary, to install or remove infrastructure or equipment.
(j) Reporting:
Each authorized person shall have to submit a report to the authority that has granted him the permit, detailing the activities he has carried out within the area, including a summary of the results of his investigations and observations on the measures taken to comply with the conditions established. Where appropriate, the report may make recommendations relating to the management of the Area, considering, in particular, the appropriate safeguarding of the values and resources that justify the protection of the area. The report will have to be sent as soon as possible, once the visit to the Area has been completed.
The site (latitude 77o14'S, longitude 166o23'E), located in the northern part of Capo de Bird's ice-free zone, extends between Northern Rookery and Middle Rookery and is 250 m. south of the Summer research station.
2. ORDER PLAN (i) Description of the Topography ZoneThe Area is made up of a series of slopes exposed to the west and usually not covered with ice that are between the top of the Caughely Beach hatch and a line parallel to the Mount Bird crest crest, about 100 meters further to this, and between a line of the main "Keble Walley" watercourse and the southern "New College Valley" chain. To the north, south and east is surrounded by the Special Scientific Interest Site No10, and to the west it reaches the top of the cliff overlooking Caughley Beach. Its total surface is approximately 10 ha.
The land is largely covered by rocks and tunes of volcanic origin covered by the action of glaciers. There are some songs rolled from different origins.
The most characteristic site of this area is "New College Valley" which has been formed from the abundant snow-water flows coming down from Mount Bird's glacial casket in summer. The tributaries of this course of water and two other streams of the area are fed with the melted snow that descends in the summer of the permanent snow accumulations and have been excavating their own ravines and shallow canals.
Biological characteristics
Broady (1984) provides a general description of vegetation in the context of a comprehensive survey conducted on the vegetation of Cabo Bird and two other areas that are not covered by ice on Ross Island. Longton (1973, 1974) classified the briophyte community of Caughley Beach as a population of Bryrum antarcticum in which Bryrum antarcticum is dominant and Bryrum argenteum occasional. Of the information presented, it is not possible to understand whether the site is actually within the ZEP; otherwise it must be very close.
Broady (1984) provides schematic maps of the moss and algae formations in the ZEP.
Among the vegetation of the watercourses are lush (Cyanobacteria) reddish oscillary, abundant philytic green filaments, chlorophyte algae crusts and Nostoc colonies (Cyanobacteria).
The slopes exposed to northwest of the main valley and in other smaller ravines host large masses of mosses scattered in small formations and in agglomerations of up to several meters of surface (with a total cover of less than 200 m2). Often the surrounding plants and soils are covered with a white mineral incrustation, when the accumulation of snowy water becomes exhausted during the summer and the vegetation and soils are dried. The most extensive moss cover is located along the edges of the shallow channels that receive snow water from the nevous accumulations. Also in the humid terrains, where the infiltrations are not channeled but penetrate widely on the surface of the soil, small musket formations of not more than 5 centimeters of diameter are disseminated. Caughley Beach's biomass briophyte (Longton, 1974) was estimated at 14 and 938 grams of dry weight per square metre for two formations with a cover of 1.4% and 84.7%, respectively.
The moss are usually associated with abundant formations of reddish oscillatoria and occasionally with Nostoc colonies. In other areas of swamp land, Nostoc colonies prevail (100 m)2 approximately) or oscillatoric formations (200 m2 approximately).
The skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) nidify on the beach under the broom, west of the area, and often fly over the ZEP and pose on the ground. The Adelaide penguinsPygoscelis adeliae) of the large nearby colonies sometimes pass through the area. The soils become nutrients thanks to the guano that is deposited in the same and the particles brought by the wind from the abundant colonies of the north and south.
(ii) Justification of the designationThe Area contains one of the richest moss formations of Ross Island and abundant populations of algae and microflora and associated microfauna. Due to the vulnerability of this vegetation to the damages resulting from the flooring, the inclusion of this region among the protected areas allows to safeguard its biota in such a way that a reservation for representative conservation purposes of the Special Scientific Interest Site is established.
(iii) Date of designation and promoter of the proposalThe area was established by RCTA Recommendation XIII-12 following the proposal submitted to SCAR by New Zealand in October 1984.
(iv) Access pointsThe area can be accessed only through the adjacent SEIC. It is better accessed by a direct road that advances southeast from the summer research station in the north. The passage through covered areas of vegetation should be carefully avoided.
(v) Access permit requirementsAccess to the area is permitted only and strictly in accordance with the permission granted by the Participant Government or its authorized representative for the specific conduct of scientific activities of an urgent nature that cannot be carried out elsewhere or for local inspections (see "Inspection and maintenance" below) and that do not constitute a danger to any aspect of the natural ecosystem or to its biota within the area (see Article VIII of the Antarctic Treaty on Concerted Measures for the Conservation). The details of the visit will be included in the annual Information Exchange report on the same Antarctic station in which the activities have been carried out.
(vi) ProhibitionsIn order to avoid or minimize the impact of man, the following activities are prohibited:
(a) Drive all types of vehicles within the Area;
(b) Landing helicopters within the Zone;
(c) Overflew the Area with an aircraft at an altitude of less than 250 metres from the highest point;
(d) Incinerate, bury or otherwise remove any human and other waste within the Area; all such wastes shall be disposed of from the Area;
(e) Leave fuel, food or any other supply;
(f) Build any type of building within the Area;
(g) Use sample-taking equipment or any other type within the Area that has not been sterilized by an acceptable method.
(vii) pedestrian pathsAny precautions should be taken to keep the terrain clear of any form of visible vegetation, while avoiding its stagnation. In summer all these areas are easily damaged by trampling. When a saturated land is crossed on foot, especially when it is in steep areas, it is very easy for small landslides to occur and human footprints to be printed. The paths that pass above the permanent nevous accumulations, especially during the periods of dehydration, should be taken to avoid more easily being passed through stagnant grounds.
(viii) Scientific research and sample-takingAll activities shall be strictly consistent with those specified in the access permit to the Area. Only for extraordinary purposes will be allowed to take samples of vegetation as in the vicinity of SEIC, as well as outside the areas identified south of the site, there are other places with similar vegetation.
Persons allowed to enter the area should take all possible precautions to avoid the introduction of plants and microorganisms from other places. Any equipment for taking samples should be sterilized before being used and all persons should be carefully cleaned before entering.
(ix) Inspection and maintenanceVisits to the Area will take place once a year in order to assess the situation and control any significant changes. However, for these visits it is not necessary to enter the areas as their situation can be quickly determined from the SEIC around the Zone. Moreover, given that this is a limited area rich in land moss and algae, the same field inspection visits could be harmful.
3. BIBLIOGRAPHYBROADY, P.A. 1984. The Vegetation of Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica. Melbourne University Programme in Antarctic Studies, Report No. 62, 42 pp. 15 tables, 140 figures.
BROADY, P. A. Broadscale patterns in the distribution of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation at three ice-free regions on Ross Island, Antarctica, Hydrobiology, 172: 77-95.
LONGTON, R. E. 1973. A classification of terrestrial vegetation near Mc Murdo Sound, Continental Antarctica. Canadian Journal of Botany, 51: 2339-46.
LONGTON, R. E, 1974. Microclimate and biomass in communities of the Bryrum association on Ross Island, Continental Antarctica. The Bryologist, 77: 109-22.
[Pst scriptum: It is intended for the placement of signals near the limits of this area, choosing limits that match as much as possible with the natural characteristics of place. The latter requires a more detailed map than we have at our disposal. Both will take appropriate measures next summer].
Recommendation XVII-3 ANNTARTIC ZONES PROTECTEDNEW MONUMENTS AND HISTORIC SITIES
PIEDRA MADERA AND MONOLITO PLACE IN THE BAHIA OF PINGUINES The Representatives. Making reference Recommendations I-IX, V-4, VI-14, VII 9, XII-7, XIII-16 and XIV-8; Recommend to their governments that include the following historical monument in the "List of the Historical Monuments Identified and Described by the government or governments promoters of the proposal" that is attached to Recommendation VII-9, thus guaranteeing its full protection and compliance with the established rules, as provided for by the aforementioned Recommendations.Wooden plaque and monolith located in the Bay of the Penguins, on the south coast of the Seymour Island (Marambio), in the James Ross Archipelago (6416' 00"S - 5639' 00"O). This plate was placed on November 10, 1903 by the crew of the rescue mission of the Argentine corvette "Uruguay" in the place where he found the members of the Swedish expedition led by Dr. Otto Nordenskjold.
The text of the plate reads as follows:
10.XI.1903 "Uruguay" (Flota Argentina) on his trip to help the Antarctic expedition.In January 1990, a monolith was established by Argentina in memory of that event in the place where the plaque is located.
Recommendation XVII-4 INVESTIGATION OF THE WORLD CHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIONRepresentatives,
Making reference to Articles II " III of the Antarctic Treaty and Article VI of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection and Recommendation XV-14 on the promotion of international scientific cooperation; Reiterating the Declaration adopted at the XVI Consultative Meeting to mark the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the Antarctic Treaty; Taking note the recognition in Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development of the importance of Antarctica and the Antarctic Ocean for the analysis of the processes of global change; Recognizing the role that intensified coordination of national research programmes and increased international cooperation should play, such as the SCAR publication on "the role of Antarctica in global change." Aware Also that the promotion of a plan of realization for the contribution of Antarctic research to the Biosphere Programme - Geosphere represents a significant step that must be carried out during the Decade of International Antarctic Scientific Cooperation (1991 - 2000) announced by the XVI RTCA; Recommend to their Governments that they:1. They welcome the decision adopted by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research at the XXII SCAR to establish a new group of experts on global change and Antarctica, with a view to facilitating links and communication between national programmes, the SCAR Working Group and other Groups of Experts in relevant Antarctic research areas.
2. Encourage the SCAR to express, in close cooperation with COMNAP, a management structure in order to develop a coordinated programme for the research of global change in Antarctica and to contribute, through the evolution of the Regional Research Centres (RCs), to the IGBP System for Analysis, Research and Training (START) and to other major regional and international programmes on global change research;
3. Support initiatives such as the proposal of the SCAR Working Group on Biology and the offer made by Chile to hold a seminar on the coordination of biological research on King George Island (Island 25 of May); the South Shetlands Geoscience Cooperative (COGS) whose second seminar was sponsored by the Japan National Polar Research Institute; and similar initiatives to coordinate research on glaciology and terrestrial solar studies;
4. Please note with satisfaction the implementation of the SCR proposal for coordinated Antarctic research (the role of Antarctica in global change: part 2) to be published by the end of 1992 and the regional plan for the implementation of the research on global change in Antarctica, through:
(i) Continuous identification of research priority needs in studies, monitoring and model;
(ii) Identification of other requirements in the implementation of the program, such as logistics, data management, etc.
(iii) Organizing seminars and symposia to synthesize and discuss research results.
5. That a high scientific priority should be given to such a regional programme of Global Change Research in Antarctica and Governments should support it as much as possible;
6. Consideration should be given to requesting the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and other financial mechanisms to support the new expert group and its work.
