Part 32Antarctic specially protected area No. 132

Part 32 Antarctic specially protected area No. 132

  Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland Islands.

  Latitude 6215 S, longitude 5939 W.

  The area encompasses important scientific values due to the presence of groups of breeding elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and non-breeding groups of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and occasionally of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). During the breeding season there are around 500 elephant seals around, and during the fledging season, between 200 and 600. The non-breeding groups of Antarctic fur seals can add up to 300 individuals, although that figure may vary considerably from one year to the next.

  Also present are significant colonies of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) and Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), each of them with an approximate population of 4 000 pairs. Penguin colonies are mainly distributed around Stranger Point, from the vicinity of Elefante refuge to Spur 7. Within the ASPA, the population of storm petrels (by large Oceanites oceanicus and, to a much lesser extent, the Fregetta tropica) reaches some 200 pairs. Antarctic terns (Sterna vittata), southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) and skuas (Catharacta sp.) also breed in the area, although their populations are, in all cases, less than 100 pairs each. Southern giant petrel nesting sites concentrate on the western side of the ASPA. As some of the nesting sites around Potter Peninsula change their position over time, population figures are estimations and may introduce some degree of inaccuracy, depending on the year considered.

  Map 1: General location of Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 132, Potter Peninsula (King George Island), in relation to the Antarctic Peninsula.

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