Schedule 1—Descriptions of Antarctic specially protected areas
(sections 5 and 6)
Part 1—Antarctic specially protected area No. 101
1 Name and location
Taylor Rookery, Mac.Robertson Land, East Antarctica.
67°27′S, 60°51′E.
2 Description
Taylor Rookery consists of the whole of the northernmost rock exposure on the east side of Taylor Glacier, Mac.Robertson Land (67°27′14″S, 60°53′00″E). Boundary coordinates for the Area are set out in the following table. The Area boundary follows the coastline (at the low tide mark) from a point at the north‑western corner of the Area at 67°27′04.9″S, 60°52′58.2″E (boundary point 1), in a roughly south‑easterly direction to boundary point 6 (67°27′27.8″S, 60°53′07.7″E). The boundary then continues in a westerly and then northerly direction (roughly following the limit of the ice free area) to boundary point 22 (67°27′18″S, 60°52′50.2″E) then follows the ice cliff north to boundary point 23 (67°27′5.3″S, 60°52′57.1″E) and then joins back to boundary point 1. There are no boundary markers delimiting the site.
Part Part 49 - Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Proclamation 2007 - Antarctic specially protected area No. 149 | Zoe
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Part 2—Antarctic specially protected area No. 102
1 Name and location
Rookery Islands, Mac.Robertson Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 67º 37 S, longitude 62 32 E.
2 Description
The Rookery Islands contain breeding colonies of six bird species resident in the Mawson area: Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), Cape petrel (Daption capense), Snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Wilson’s storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and the Antarctic skua (Catharacta maccormicki). The southern giant petrel breeds nowhere else in the region. The designation of the Area aims to safeguard this unusual association of six species and ensure the preservation of a representative offshore island habitat.
The Rookery Islands provides a representative sample of the offshore island habitats occurring along the coast of Mac.Robertson land.
The southern giant petrel has a world population of approximately 62,000 individuals and is inferred to have sustained a population reduction of at least 20% over the last 60 years. The species is in continued rapid decline. Giganteus Island in the Rookery Islands group is one of only four known breeding localities of southern giant petrels around the coastline of continental Antarctica. The other three continental breeding colonies are located near the Australian stations of Casey (66° 13 S, 110° 11 E), (Frazier Islands) and Davis (68º 35 S, 77º 58 E) (Hawker Island), and near the French station Dumont d’Urville (66º 40 S, 140º 01 E) in Terre Adélie. The current population for continental Antarctica is estimated at approximately 290 pairs, comprised of 3 pairs on Giganteus Island, 25 pairs on Hawker Island, 16 pairs at Pointe Géologie archipelago (Terre Adélie) and 248 pairs on the Frazier Islands. Southern giant petrels on the Antarctic continent comprise less than 1% of the global breeding population.
Southern giant petrels are widespread in more northerly latitudes, breeding on islands to the north‑west of the Antarctic Peninsula and on islands of the Scotia Ridge. However, it is important that it should be protected at the southern limit of its breeding range.
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Part 3—Antarctic specially protected area No. 103
1 Name and location
Ardery Island and Odbert Island, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 66º 22 S, longitude 110 27 E.
2 Description
Ardery Island and Odbert Island support several breeding species of petrel. There is no other readily accessible place in eastern Antarctica where the four genera of fulmarine petrels (Thalassoica antarctica, Fulmarus glacialoides, Daption capense and Pagodroma nivea) breed in the same place in sufficient numbers to allow comparative study. Study of these four genera at one location is of high ecological importance in understanding and monitoring the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
It is believed that Ardery Island is unique insofar as it is the only area in the Antarctic which harbours two different subspecies of Snow petrels. Studies on morphological or ecological differences between these two subspecies are not possible anywhere else. In addition both islands have breeding populations of Wilson’s storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) and Antarctic skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) and Odbert Island supports breeding populations of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae).
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Part 4—Antarctic specially protected area No. 104
1 Name and location
Sabrina Island, Northern Ross Sea, Antarctica.
Latitude 66º 55 S, longitude 163 19 E.
2 Description
Sabrina Island is located in the Balleny Islands which are approximately 325 km north of the Pennell Coast in Northern Victoria Land. The Balleny Islands are the exposed portion of a volcanic seamount chain. There are 3 main islands and a number of smaller islands and exposed rocks. Sabrina Island is 3 km off the southern end of Buckle Island (the central of the main islands). Sabrina Island is less than 2 km across and reaches an estimated height of 180 m above sea level. A volcanic plug approximately 80 m high, named the Monolith, is attached to the southern end of Sabrina Island by a boulder spit. A small islet lies to the north east of Sabrina Island, commonly known as Chinstrap Islet. The ASPA comprises all of Sabrina Island above sea level, including the Monolith, and Chinstrap Islet.
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Part 5—Antarctic specially protected area No. 105
1 Name and location
Beaufort Island, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea.
Latitude 76º 56 S, longitude 166 56 E.
2 Description
Beaufort Island is the northern most feature of the Ross Archipelago, lying 19 km north of Cape Bird, Ross Island. It is a portion of the rim of a volcanic cone, the remainder of which has eroded away and is now submerged to the east of the island. The island, and the remains of the submerged caldera, block the predominantly westward drift of pack ice and icebergs calving from the nearby Ross Ice Shelf. Grounded icebergs facilitate fast ice growth. Beaufort Island is predominantly rock but portions are ice and snow covered. On the south‑west side of the island there is a broad ice‑free shelf with raised beaches behind which summer ponds form, fed by small meltwater streams draining to the coast. Sloping ice fields cover much of the west and north side of the island but the ice is receding. An extensive flat area of less than 50 m above sea level is at the north end of the island, where the ice cap of the island drains to a boulder beach. The eastern side of the island facing the centre of the caldera is made up of near vertical cliffs.
The protected area encompasses the whole of Beaufort Island above the mean high water mark, and includes adjacent fast‑ice occupied by breeding Emperor penguins. The coordinates of the fast‑ice component of the Area are:
from the northern coast of Beaufort Island at 76° 55'44" S, 166° 52' 42 E north to 76° 55 30 S, 166° 52 49 E;
from 76° 55' 30 S, 166° 52 49 E east to 76° 55 30 S, 167° 00 E;
from 76° 55' 30 S, 167° 00 E south along the 167° longitude parallel to where it intersects with the coastline of Beaufort Island at 76° 55 30 S, 167° E.
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Part 6—Antarctic specially protected area No. 106
1 Name and location
Cape Hallett, Northern Victoria Land, Ross Sea.
Latitude 170° 13' 25 E, longitude 72° 19 11 S.
2 Description
The Cape Hallett Area is at the northern end of the Hallett Peninsula, northern Victoria Land, and has an approximate area of 0.53 km2. Cape Hallett is located at the southern end of Moubray Bay, in the western Ross Sea. The Area occupies most of the ice‑free ground of a cuspate spit of low elevation known as Seabee Hook and includes the adjacent western slopes of the northern end of Hallett Peninsula, east of Willett Cove to the margin of the permanent glaciers.
The northern boundary of the Area extends along the northern coast of Seabee Hook from 170° 14' 25.5 E, 72° 19 05.0 S to the eastern limit of the Adélie colony at 170° 14 19.3 E, 72° 19 04.9 S. The boundary then follows the edge of the nesting area of the Adélie colony, maintaining a distance of at least 5 m from the colony, extending to 170° 12 25.3 E, 72° 19 07.9 S.
From 170° 12' 25.3 E, 72° 19 07.9 S, the boundary extends 33 m due west to the coast at 170° 12 21.8 E, 72° 19 07.9 S and then continues southward to follow the western and southern coastline of Seabee Hook to 170° 12 54.3 E, 72° 19 19.1 S, which is near the south‑eastern end of the spit. The boundary extends northward, following the edge of the nesting area, maintaining a distance of at least 5 m from the colony, in the south‑eastern part of Seabee Hook to 170° 12 58.7 E, 72° 19 15.3 S. The boundary of the Area continues northward to follow the low water shoreline along the eastern coast of Seabee Hook, and then follows the low water coastline around Willett Cove to the southern boundary at 170° 13 24.9 E, 72° 19 28.0 S.
From 170° 13' 24.9 E, 72° 19 28.0 S, the boundary extends eastward to the Bornmann Glacier, following a seasonal stream which descends from the glacier. The eastern boundary of the Area then follows the glacier and permanent ice margin northward at elevations between about 120 m and 150 m above sea level, crossing the steep western slopes of Hallett Peninsula and following the upper outcrops of a series of rocky ridges dissecting the slope. The boundary then descends to join the northern coastline of Seabee Hook at the base of a rock buttress at 170° 14 25.5 E, 72° 19 05.0 S.
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Part 7—Antarctic specially protected area No. 107
1 Name and location
Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 67º 53 S, longitude 68 42 W.
2 Description
The Dion Islands (latitude 67° 53' S, longitude 68° 42 W, within a region of approximately 12 km²), situated 13.5 km south of the south‑western extremity of Adelaide Island in north‑western Marguerite Bay, is a small archipelago comprising the following islands, rocks and reefs: Envoy Rock, Regent Reef, Consort Islands (approximately 3 ha), Emperor Island (approximately 5 ha), Jester Rock, Noble Rocks, Courtier Islands (approximately 8 ha), Embassy Islands and Consul Reef.
The designated Area of just over 3 km² comprises Emperor Island and the marine environment (including sea ice when present) within 1 000 m of the coastline of Emperor Island. However, the area does not include the terrestrial areas of the Consort Islands in the north, Jester Rock in the east, or the Courtier Islands in the southwest.
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Part 8—Antarctic specially protected area No. 108
1 Name and location
Green Island, Berthelot Islands, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 65º 19 S, longitude 64 09 W.
2 Description
Green Island (65° 19' S, 64° 09 W, approximately 0.2 km²) is a small island situated 150 m north of the largest of the Berthelot Islands group, Grandidier Channel, approximately 3 km off the Graham Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The designated area comprises the entire island, with the boundary defined as the low tide level. Offshore islets and rocks are not included within the Area. Boundary markers have not been installed. The coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary feature.
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Part 9—Antarctic specially protected area No. 109
1 Name and location
Moe Island, South Orkney Islands.
2 Description
Moe Island, South Orkney Islands, is a small irregularly‑shaped island lying 300 m off the south‑western extremity of Signy Island, separated by Fyr Channel. It is approximately 1.3 km from the northeast to southwest and 1 km from the northwest to southeast. The position of Moe Island on Admiralty Chart No. 1775 (60°44′S, 45°45′W) does not align closely with the more accurate coordinates in the map (60°44′S, 45°41′W).
The boundary coordinates of the Area, starting with the most north‑westerly position and moving clockwise, are as follows:
(a) 60°43′40″S, 45°42′15″W;
(b) 60°43′40″S, 45°40′30″W;
(c) 60°43′55″S, 45°40′10″W;
(d) 60°44′40″S, 45°40′10″W;
(e) 60°44′40″S, 45°42′15″W.
The Area includes all of Moe Island and unnamed adjacent islands and islets. The Area comprises all of the ice‑free ground, permanent ice and semi‑permanent ice found within the boundaries, but excludes the part of the marine environment that is further than 10 m offshore from the low tide water line (as indicated in the map).
Boundary markers have not been installed because the coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary.
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Part 10—Antarctic specially protected area No. 110
1 Name and location
Lynch Island, South Orkney Islands.
Latitude 60º 39 10 S, longitude 45 36 25 W.
2 Description
Lynch Island (latitude 60° 39' 10 S, longitude 45° 36 25 W; area: 0.1 km²) is a small island situated at the eastern end of Marshall Bay in the South Orkney Islands, about 200 m south of Coronation Island and 2.4 km north of Signy Island.
The designated Area comprises the entire island above the low tide level, at which the coastline is defined as the boundary of the Area. Boundary markers have not been installed because the coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary feature.
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Note: This map predates the current terminology—SPA is now ASPA.
Part 11—Antarctic specially protected area No. 111
1 Name and location
Southern Powell Island and adjacent islands, South Orkney Islands.
2 Description
The Area includes all of Powell Island south of the southern summit of John Peaks (415 m above sea level), and the whole of Fredriksen Island, Michelsen Island (a tidal peninsula at the southern tip of Powell Island), Christoffersen Island, Grey Island and unnamed adjacent islands. The Area comprises all of the ice‑free ground, permanent ice and semi‑permanent ice found within the boundaries, but excludes the part of the marine environment that is further than 10 m offshore from the low tide water line. All but the Crutchley Ice Piedmont of southern Powell Island are ice‑free in summer, though there are patches of semi‑permanent or late‑lying snow in places.
The corner coordinates of the Area are as follows:
(a) 60°42′35″S, 45°04′00″W (north‑western corner);
(b) 60°42′35″S, 44°58′00″W (north‑eastern corner);
(c) 60°45′30″S, 45°04′00″W (south‑western corner);
(d) 60°45′30″S, 44°58′00″W (south‑eastern corner).
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Part 12—Antarctic specially protected area No. 112
1 Name and location
Coppermine Peninsula, Robert Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 62°24′S, longitude 59°30′W.
2 Description
Coppermine Peninsula is located at the north‑western end of Robert Island. It covers an elongated strip (2 km long by 500 m wide), from the isthmus connecting Robert Island to Cape Fort Williams. It has an irregular relief, with average heights of 30 to 40 m above sea level, and many protrusions reaching over 80 m above sea level, such as the basaltic columns of Neptune’s Cathedral and the snout near the facilities at Luis Risopatrón Base (Chile).
The Coppermine Peninsula extends from Cape Morris to Triplet Hill, separating Carlota and Coppermine Coves. This peninsula is the most westerly area of Robert Island and ends in the western tip at Fort Williams, a cape with striking features, such as Morris Rock, located in the coastal area.
The peninsula is connected to Robert Island through a terrace‑shaped isthmus featuring marine gravel, approximately 10 m above sea level and 250 m wide. The isthmus is interrupted to the east by a small horseshoe‑shaped hill. At the south‑eastern end of Coppermine Cape, the Triplet Hill emerges, with a height of 140 m above sea level.
The Area is shown in grey on the map.
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Part 13—Antarctic specially protected area No. 113
1 Name and location
Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbor, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago.
Latitude 64°46′S, longitude 64°06′W.
2 Description
Litchfield Island (0.34 km2, 64°46′15″S, 64°05′40″W) is located in Arthur Harbor approximately 1 500 m west of Palmer Station (US), Gamage Point, Anvers Island, in the region west of the Antarctic Peninsula known as the Palmer Archipelago.
The Area comprises all of Litchfield Island above the low tide water level, excluding all offshore islets and rocks. The coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary feature, so boundary markers have not been installed. Several signs drawing attention to the protected status of the island are in place and legible, although deteriorating.
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Part 15—Antarctic specially protected area No. 115
1 Name and location
Lagotellerie Island, Marguerite Bay, Graham Land.
2 Description
The Area includes all of Lagotellerie Island and unnamed adjacent islands and islets. The Area comprises all of the ice‑free ground, permanent ice and semi‑permanent ice found within the boundaries, but excludes the part of the marine environment that is further than 10 m offshore from the low tide water line. Boundary markers have not been installed because the coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary.
Lagotellerie Island is steep‑sided and rocky, with approximately 13% permanent ice cover, most of which is on the southern slopes. The island rises to twin peaks of 268 m and 288 m above sea level, separated by a broad saddle at around 200 m above sea level, with precipitous cliffs up to this height on the southern, western and eastern sides.
The corner coordinates of the Area are as follows:
(a) 67°52′30″S, 67°27′00″W (north‑western corner);
(b) 67°52′30″S, 67°22′00″W (north‑eastern corner);
(c) 67°54′00″S, 67°27′00″W (south‑western corner);
(d) 67°54′00″S, 67°22′00″W (south‑eastern corner).
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Part 16—Antarctic specially protected area No. 116
1 Name and location
New College Valley, Caughley Beach, Cape Bird, Ross Island.
Latitude 77° 13' 15.0 S, longitude 166° 26 15.0 E.
2 Description
An area of 0.33 km2 at Cape Bird was originally designated in Recommendations XIII‑8 (1985, SSSI No. 10, Caughley Beach) and XIII‑12 (1985, SPA No. 20, New College Valley) after proposals by New Zealand on the grounds that these areas contain some of the richest stands of mosses and associated microflora and fauna in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. This is the only area on Ross Island where protection is specifically given to these ‘cold’ ground plants. SPA No. 20 was originally enclosed within SSSI No. 10 in order to provide more stringent access conditions within this part of the Area. SSSI No. 10 and SPA No. 20 have been merged in the current plan, and a Restricted Zone provides the more stringent access conditions within the former SPA. The boundaries of the Area have been revised in view of improved mapping and to follow more closely the ridges enclosing the catchment of New College Valley. Caughley Beach itself was adjacent to, but never a part of, the original Area, and for this reason the entire Area has been renamed as New College Valley, which was within both of the original sites.
Mosses (bryophytes) are the most highly evolved terrestrial plant life in this region, restricted to small, localised areas of water‑flushed ground. In addition to rich moss cushions and carpets up to 20m2, a diverse range of algal species inhabit streams in the Area, and collembolans (Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni) and mites (Nanorchestes antarcticus and Stereotydeus mollis) are plentiful on water surfaces and underneath rocks. The absence of lichens makes the species assemblage in this Area unique on Ross Island.
The proximity of the Cape Bird Hut (New Zealand) and the possibility of visits by tourists to Cape Bird mean that this vulnerable area could easily be damaged by human impact if not provided with adequate protection. Designation of this Area is designed to ensure examples of this habitat type are adequately protected from casual visitors and overuse from scientific investigations. The susceptibility of mosses to disturbance by trampling, sampling, pollution or alien introductions is such that the Area requires long‑term special protection. The ecosystem at this site is of exceptional scientific value for ecological investigations and the Restricted Zone is valuable as a reference site for future comparative studies.
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Part 17—Antarctic specially protected area No. 117
1 Name and location
Avian Island, off Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 67º 46 S, longitude 68 54 W.
2 Description
Avian Island (latitude 67° 46' S, longitude 68° 54 W, 0.49 km2), is situated in the north‑west of Marguerite Bay, 400 m south of the south‑western extremity of Adelaide Island. The island is 1.45 km long by 0.8 km at its widest, and is of roughly triangular shape.
The designated Area comprises the whole of Avian Island and the littoral zone, offshore islets and rocks, and a buffer zone of the surrounding marine environment (including sea ice when present) within 100 m of the shoreline of the main island. Boundary markers have not been installed because the coast forms a visually obvious reference for the marine boundary.
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Part 19—Antarctic specially protected area No. 119
1 Name and location
Davis Valley and Forlidas Pond, Dufek Massif, Pensacola Mountains.
82°29′S, 51°05′W.
2 Description
The Area comprises all of the Davis Valley and the immediately adjacent ice‑free valleys, including several of the valley glaciers within these catchments. The boundary predominantly follows the margins of the surrounding ice fields of the Ford Ice Piedmont and Sallee Snowfield, which enclose the ice‑free area that is considered to be of outstanding value. The northern boundary extends parallel to and 500 metres north from the southern margin of the Ford Ice Piedmont in the Davis Valley and in the adjacent valley containing Forlidas Pond, extending from 82°26′23.4″S, 51°24′02″W in the northwest to 82°26′45.5″S, 50°52′10″W in the northeast. This provides a buffer of protection around the freshwater bodies of value along the northern glacier margin. The eastern boundary follows the ice margin along Wujek Ridge from the Ford Ice Piedmont to Mount Pavlovskogo. The southeastern boundary extends from Mount Pavlovskogo across the Sallee Snowfield and the upper slopes of the Edge Glacier, following areas of outcrop where they exist to Mount Beljakova. The southern and western boundaries of the Area follow the margins of the permanent ice, with the southernmost extent being at 82°33′20″S, 51°17′00″W. The boundary encompasses a total area of 55.8 km2.
Boundary markers have not been installed in the Area because of its remoteness, the limited opportunities for visits and the practical difficulties of maintenance. Moreover, the margins of the permanent ice fields are generally sharply defined and form a visually obvious boundary around most of the Area.
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Part 20—Antarctic specially protected area No. 120
1 Name and location
Pointe‑Geologie, Terre Adélie.
Latitude 66º 40 S, longitude 140 02 E.
2 Description
In 1995, four islands, a nunatak and a breeding ground for Emperor penguins were classified as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (Measure 3 (1995), XIX ATCM, Seoul) because they were a representative example of terrestrial Antarctic ecosystems from a biological, geological and aesthetics perspective. A species of marine mammal, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli), and various species of birds breed in the area: Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri); Antarctic skua (Catharacta maccormicki); Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae); Wilson’s petrel (Oceanites oceanicus); southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus); Snow petrel (Pagodrama nivea); Cape petrel (Daption capense).
Well‑marked hills display asymmetrical transverse profiles with gently dipping northern slopes compared to the steeper southern ones. The terrain is affected by numerous cracks and fractures leading to very rough surfaces. The basement rocks consist mainly of sillimanite, cordierite and garnet‑rich gneisses which are intruded by abundant dikes of pink anatexites. The lowest parts of the islands are covered by morainic boulders with a heterogenous granulometry (from a few centimetres to more than a metre across).
Long‑term research and monitoring programs of birds and marine mammals have been going on for a long time already (since 1952 or 1964 according to the species). A database implemented in 1981 is directed by the Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chize (CEBC‑CNRS). Human scientific presence may be estimated at around four people for a few hours, twice a month in the protected area.
Among the approximately 30 Emperor penguin breeding sites on record, this is the only one located adjacent to a permanent station. It is therefore a providential spot to study this species and its environment.
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The Cape Geology Archipelago map shows the boundaries of the Antarctic Specially Protected Area inside the archipelago with dotted lines.
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Part 21—Antarctic specially protected area No. 121
1 Name and location
Cape Royds, Ross Island.
Latitude 77°33′20″S, longitude 166°09′56″E.
2 Description
Cape Royds is located at the western extremity of Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, on a coastal strip of ice‑free land approximately 8 km wide, on the lower western slopes of Mount Erebus. The Area comprises both a terrestrial and a marine component.
The terrestrial component of the Area consists of ice‑free land within approximately 350 m of Flagstaff Point (77°33′21″S, 166°09′55″E) that is seasonally occupied by a breeding Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony. The boundary captures all of the area occupied by breeding penguins and the main southern route used by the penguins to access the sea. The marine component comprises an area of sea within 500 m of the Cape Royds coastline, which includes the main penguin access route to the colony.
The boundary of the terrestrial component is as follows:
(a) starting at a small embayment at the north‑western corner of the terrestrial component, it extends northeast for 53 m to a survey mark which is an iron tube embedded in the ground;
(b) then east for 9 m to a signpost (77°33′11.2″S, 166°09′35.2″E);
(c) then east‑northeast for 30 m to a signpost (77°33′10.9″S, 166°09′39.4″E) halfway down the slope of a small hill;
(d) then southeast for 133 m to a signpost (77°33′11.8″S, 166°09′59.0″E) east of Pony Lake;
(e) then south‑southeast for 42 m to a signpost (77°33′12.9″S, 166°10′01.9″E);
(f) then 74 m to a signpost (77°33′15.2″S, 166°10′05.7″E) at the southern end of the penguin viewing area;
(g) then 18 m to the coast at Arrival Bay (77°33′15.8″S, 166°10′06.6″E);
(h) then along the coastline to Derrick Point.
The boundary from Pony Lake (signpost at 77°33′11.8″S, 166°09′59.0″E) to Derrick Point coincides with the southern boundary of ASPA No. 157 (Backdoor Bay).
The marine component of the Area comprises the area within 500 m of the mean high water coastline of Flagstaff Point. The boundary of the marine component is as follows:
(a) starting at Derrick Point (77°33′14.1″S, 166°10′22″E), it extends southwest for 500 m;
(b) then west, maintaining a distance of 500 m from the shore, to 77°33′11.8″S, 166°08′10″E;
(c) then due east 500 m to the coast at the north‑western corner of the terrestrial component (77°33′11.8″S, 166°9′25″E).
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Part 22—Antarctic specially protected area No. 122
1 Name and location
Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island.
Latitude 77° 49 41.2 S, longitude 166° 40 2.8 E.
2 Description
Arrival Heights is a small range of low hills located near the south‑western end of Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island and has an approximate area of 0.73 km2. Hut Point Peninsula is made up of a series of volcanic craters extending from Mount Erebus, two of which, namely First Crater and Second Crater, respectively form part of the southern and northern boundaries of the Area. The Area is predominantly ice‑free and elevations range from 150 m to 280 m above sea level at Second Crater. Arrival Heights is located about 1.5 km north of McMurdo Station and 2.7 km north‑west of Scott Base. The Area has a broad viewing horizon and is comparatively isolated from activities at McMurdo Station and Scott Base, with the majority of McMurdo Station being hidden from view.
The south‑eastern boundary corner of the Area is defined by Trig T510 No. 2, the centre of which is at 77° 50 08.4 S, 166° 40 16.4 E at an elevation of 157.3 m above sea level. Trig T510 No. 2 replaced, and is 0.7 m from, the former boundary survey marker (T510), which no longer exists. The T510 No. 2 marker is an iron rod (painted orange) in the ground about 7.3 m west of the access road to Arrival Heights, and is surrounded by a small circle of rocks. The boundary of the Area extends from Trig T510 No. 2 in a straight line 656 m north‑west over First Crater at 77° 49 53.8 S, 166° 39 03.9 E, at 150 m above sea level. The boundary follows the 150 m contour northward for 1 186 m to 77° 49 18.6 S, 166° 39 56.1 E, which is due west of the northern rim of Second Crater. The boundary extends 398 m due east to Second Crater, and around the crater rim to a US Hydrographic Survey marker (a stamped brass disk) which is installed near the ground at 77° 49 23.4 S, 166° 40 59.0 E and 282 m above sea level, forming the north‑eastern boundary of the Area. The boundary extends from the US Hydrographic Survey marker southward for 1 423 m in a straight line directly to Trig T510 No. 2.
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Part 23—Antarctic specially protected area No. 123
1 Name and location
Barwick and Balham Valleys, Southern Victoria Land.
Latitude 77°21′S, longitude 160°57′E.
2 Description
Barwick Valley is located approximately 65 km inland from the Ross Sea coast of southern Victoria Land. The Area includes Barwick and Balham Valleys and their respective catchments and is bordered on the south, west and north by the McKelvey Valley, the Willet Range and the divide between the Victoria and Barwick Valleys, respectively.
The boundary of the Area is as follows:
(a) starting from its eastern extremity in the lower Barwick Valley (around the confluence of the Barwick, Victoria and McKelvey Valleys), it extends south for several kilometres towards the ridge leading southwest to the summit of Mount Insel (1 345 m above sea level, 77°23.50′S, 161°30.74′E);
(b) then follows the high points of the ridge of the Insel Range over Halzen Mesa for 5.5 km before descending to a low pass between the McKelvey and Balham Valleys at the location of Bullseye Lake (722 m above sea level, 77°24.78′S, 161°14.41′E);
(c) then crosses the lake before ascending the ridge to a further high point on Canfield Mesa on the Insel Range (approximately 1 250 m above sea level);
(d) then over Green Mesa to follow Rude Spur to Mount Cassidy (1 917 m above sea level) and onwards to the upper reaches of the Balham Valley;
(e) then, as the terrain becomes gentler in the upper Balham and approximately 6.5 km southeast of the summit of Shapeless Mountain (2 736 m above sea level), the boundary extends north at between 1 800 m and 1 900 m above sea level towards the Huka Kapo Glacier and Apocalypse Peaks;
(f) then northwest from the Huka Kapo Glacier for approximately 9 km towards a prominent ridge leading to the summit of Mount Bastion (2 477 m above sea level, 77°19.18′S, 160°29.39′E);
(g) then north following the ridge to the top of McSaveney Spur;
(h) then following the upper ridgeline of the cirque containing Webb Icefall to the summit of Vishniac Peak (2 280 m above sea level, 77°14.71′S, 160°31.82′E);
(i) then northeast following the main ridge for 5 km to the summit of Skew Peak (2 537 m above sea level, 77°13.16′S, 160°42.07′E), located at the head of the Barwick Valley;
(j) then descending along the eastern ridge of Skew Peak above Webb Cirque, before following the catchment boundary south to Parker Mesa;
(k) then descending further to follow the upper ridge of The Fortress and the Cruzon Range, which is the dividing ridge between the catchments of the Victoria Upper Glacier and the Barwick Valley;
(l) then east along this ridge for approximately 12 km via Loewenstein Peak (1 539 m above sea level) and Shulman Peak (1 400 m above sea level) to Sponsors Peak (1 454 m above sea level, 77°18.2′S, 161°24.4′E);
(m) then descending the south‑eastern ridge of Sponsors Peak and Nickell Peak (approximately 1 400 m above sea level, 77°19.21′S, 161°28.25′E) to the lower Barwick to the eastern extremity of the Area, which is approximately 4 km northwest of Lake Vida, Victoria Valley.
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Part 24—Antarctic specially protected area No. 124
1 Name and location
Cape Crozier, Ross Island.
Latitude 77°28′54″S, longitude 169°19′53″E.
2 Description
Cape Crozier (77°30′30″S, 169°21′30″E) is at the eastern extremity of Ross Island, where an ice‑free area comprises the lower eastern slopes of Mount Terror. The Area is located in the vicinity of Post Office Hill (407 m above sea level), Bomb Peak (740 m above sea level) and The Knoll (360 m above sea level), extending to include Gamble, Topping and Kyle Cones, Igloo Spur and the adjacent marine environment, and an area of the Ross Ice Shelf where large cracks form as the shelf pushes against the land. These cracks are generally covered by fast‑ice, which is occupied annually by breeding emperor penguins.
The marine northern boundary of the Area extends 6.5 km along the 77°26′00″S line of latitude from 169°12′00″E to 169°28′00″E.
The marine western boundary extends 1.68 km south from the northern boundary to the coast, then the boundary continues as follows:
(a) south for a further 800 m to the edge of ice‑free ground before ascending to the summit of a low hill (approximately 300 m above sea level) above and east of the field hut (see map);
(b) then directly to the summit of Post Office Hill (407 m above sea level) at 77°27′55″S, 169°12′40″E;
(c) then following a straight line south to a point close to the summit of Bomb Peak (740 m above sea level) at 77°31′02″S, 169°11′30″E;
(d) then following the south‑eastern ridge of Bomb Peak to Igloo Spur at 77°32′00″S, 169°20′00″E;
(e) then due east along the 77°32′00″S line of latitude to the eastern boundary at 169°28′00″E;
(f) then due north to the marine northern boundary.
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Part 26—Antarctic specially protected area No. 126
1 Name and location
Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 62º 34 35 S, longitude 61 13 07 W.
2 Description
The Area is made up of Byers Peninsula, all ice‑free ground and ice sheet west of longitude 60º 53 45 W (including Clark Nunatak and Rowe Point), the near‑shore marine environment extending 10 m offshore from the low tide water line, and Demon Island and Sprite Island adjacent to the southern shoreline of Devils Point. The Area does not include all other offshore islets, including Rugged Island, and rocks.
The linear eastern boundary follows longitude 60º 53 45 W to ensure newly exposed ice‑free ground resulting from the retreat of Rotch Dome, which may contain scientifically useful opportunities and new habitats for colonisation studies, is within the boundaries of the Area. No boundary markers are in place.
Byers Peninsula, between latitudes 62° 34 35 and 62° 40 35 S and longitudes 60 53 45 and 61° 13 07 W, is 84.7 km2 in area and is located at the west end of Livingston Island, the second‑largest of the South Shetland Islands. The ice‑free area on the peninsula has a central west‑east extent of about 9 km and a north‑west south‑east extent of 18.2 km, and is the largest ice‑free area in the South Shetland Islands.
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Part 27—Antarctic specially protected area No. 127
1 Name and location
Haswell Island (Haswell Island and adjacent Emperor penguin rookery on Fast Ice), Davis Sea, East Antarctica.
Latitude 66º 31 S, longitude 93º 00 E.
2 Description
Haswell Island is a unique breeding site for almost all breeding bird species in East Antarctica including the Antarctic petrel (Talassoica antarctica), Antarctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacioloides), Cape petrel (Daption capense), Snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), Wilson’s storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), South Polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki), and Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). The Area supports five species of pinnipeds, including the Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii), which is a specially protected species.
South‑east of the island, there is a large colony of Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) on fast ice.
The Area consists of Haswell Island (66º 31S, 93º 00E), about 1 km2 in area, the largest of a group of islands lying close to Mirny station, together with its littoral zone and the area of fast ice, when present. ATCM VIII (Oslo, 1975) approved its designation as SSSI 7 on the aforementioned grounds after a proposal by the USSR. Map 1 shows the location of the Haswell Islands (except Vkhodnoy Island), Mirny Station, and logistic activity sites. It was renamed and renumbered as ASPA No. 127 by Measure 1 (2002).
The boundaries of the Antarctic specially protected area, Haswell Island (66º 31 S, 93º 00 E, about 1 km2 in area) and the adjacent section of Davis Sea fast ice of approximately 5 km2 (when present), which supports a colony of Emperor penguins, are detailed in Map 2. It is one of a few Emperor penguin colonies in the vicinity of a permanent Antarctic station, and therefore it has advantages for the study of the species and its habitat.
Described by biologists during the first Soviet expeditions, the Area was studied in the 1970s and recent years, providing valuable materials for comparative analyses and monitoring of the long‑term environmental impact of a large Antarctic station.
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Part 28—Antarctic specially protected area No. 128
1 Name and location
Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 62°11′50″S, longitude 58°27′40″W.
2 Description
The Area is located on the western shore of Admiralty Bay on the southern side of King George Island, which is the largest of the South Shetland Islands archipelago. Arctowski Station (Poland) is located 0.5 km to the north. The Area is approximately 17 km².
The eastern boundary of the Area follows the coastline on the western shore of Admiralty Bay from the south‑eastern extremity of Halfmoon Cove (62°09′44″S, 58°27′49″W), south‑southeast for approximately 6 km to Demay Point.
The boundary then continues as follows:
(a) southwest following the coastline around Paradise Cove and Utchatka Point for approximately 3.5 km to Telefon (Patelnia) Point (62°14′03″S, 58°28′28″W);
(b) then north in a straight line for approximately 2.3 km to The Tower (367 m above sea level, 62°12′55″S, 58°28′48″W), a distinctive peak above Tower Glacier;
(c) then for a further 5.3 km to Jardine Peak (285 m above sea level, 62°10′03″S, 58°29′54″W);
(d) then descending east in a straight line from Jardine Peak for approximately 1.7 km to the highest point on Penguin Ridge, approximately 550 m from Arctowski Station;
(e) then northeast for approximately 0.3 km to the south‑eastern coast of Halfmoon Cove.
A marker is placed in Halfmoon Cove on the northern boundary of the Area at 62°09′43.7″S, 58°27′48.7″W, approximately 500 m southeast of Arctowski station.
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Part 29—Antarctic specially protected area No. 129
1 Name and location
Rothera Point, Adelaide Island.
Latitude 67º 34 S, longitude 68 08 W.
2 Description
Rothera Point is situated in Ryder Bay, at the south‑east corner of Wright Peninsula on the east side of Adelaide Island, south‑west Antarctic Peninsula.
The ASPA is the north‑eastern one‑third of Rothera Point, and is representative of the area as a whole. It is about 280 m from west to east and 230 m from north to south, and rises to a maximum height of 36 m. At the coast, the ASPA boundary is the 5 m contour. No upper shore, littoral or sublittoral areas of Rothera Point are therefore included within the ASPA. The southern boundary of the ASPA, running across Rothera Point, is partially marked by rock filled gabions, in which are placed ASPA boundary signs. The remaining boundary is unmarked. There are 2 signboards just outside the perimeter of the ASPA located at the starting points of the pedestrian access route around Rothera Point.
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Part 31—Antarctic specially protected area No. 131
1 Name and location
Canada Glacier, Lake Fryxell, Taylor Valley, Victoria Land.
Latitude 77° 37 S, longitude 163° 03 E.
2 Description
Canada Glacier is located in the Taylor Valley, in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The Area includes most of the glacier forefront area on the east side of the lower Canada Glacier, on the north shore of Lake Fryxell. It comprises gently to moderately sloping ice‑free ground at an elevation of 20 m to 220 m above sea level with seasonal melt water ponds and streams draining Canada Glacier into Lake Fryxell.
The southern boundary of the Area is defined as the shoreline of Lake Fryxell to the water’s edge. This boundary extends north‑east for about 1 km along the shoreline from the north‑east corner of the boundary of where the Canada Glacier meets Lake Fryxell at 77° 37.20 S, 163° 3.64 E to the south‑east corner of the boundary which is marked with a cairn at 77° 36.83 S, 163° 4.88 E. The cairn is adjacent to a small island in Lake Fryxell. The island was once a part of a small peninsula extending into Lake Fryxell but lake level rise has turned it into an island. The peninsula was once marked by a large split rock surrounded by a circle of rocks which was a benchmark for the 1985 NZ survey of the original Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but is no longer visible. A wooden post marking the Dry Valley Drilling Project Site 7 (1973) is visible on the island.
A moraine ridge extending northward upslope from the south‑east corner of the boundary defines the eastern boundary of the Area. A cairn is located at 77° 36.68 S, 163° 4.40 E on a knoll on the ridge 450 m from the south‑east corner of the boundary. The ridge dips sharply before joining the featureless slope of the main Taylor Valley wall. The north‑east boundary corner of the Area is in this dip and is marked by a cairn at 77° 36.43 S, 163° 3.73 E.
From the north‑east boundary cairn, the northern boundary slopes gently upwards and west for 1.7 km to Canada Glacier, to the point where the stream flows from the glacier and snow field, through a narrow gap in the moraine at 77° 36.42 S, 162° 59.69 E.
The western boundary follows the glacier edge for about 1 km down a slope of lateral moraine of fairly even gradient to the south‑west corner of the boundary where the glacier meets the lake shore at 77° 37.20 S, 163° 3.64 E.
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Part 32—Antarctic specially protected area No. 132
1 Name and location
Potter Peninsula, King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo), South Shetland Islands.
2 Description
The Area is located on the eastern coast of Maxwell Bay, southwest of King George Island, between the southern tip of Mirounga Point (northwest of Potter Peninsula) and the outcrop known as “Spur 7”, on the north‑eastern border of Stranger Point. The area stretches along the coastal strip at low tide water levels up to the cliff edge, which reaches heights of 15 to 50 m above sea level. The front of the cliff edge is included within the Area. This coastal strip has a variable width, stretching up to 500 m from the shore at low tide water levels. The Area mainly comprises raised beaches.
On the map, permanent water bodies are shown in broken diagonal lines.
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Part 33—Antarctic specially protected area No. 133
1 Name and location
Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 62°18′S, longitude 59°14′W.
2 Description
The Area is located on the western coast of Nelson Island (62°18′S, 59°14′W), between the King George (25 de Mayo) Island to the northeast, and the Robert Island to the southwest, and includes Harmony Point and the Toe, the sector covered by ice and the adjacent marine area.
On the map:
(a) the ice‑free areas are indicated by continuous diagonal lines; and
(b) the areas covered in ice are indicated with a dotted pattern.
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Part 34—Antarctic specially protected area No. 134
1 Name and location
Cierva Point and Offshore Islands, Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 64°10′1.05″S, longitude 60°56′38.06″W.
2 Description
Cierva Point is located on the southern coast of Cierva Cove, to the north of Hughes Bay, between the Danco and Palmer Coasts, in the north‑western portion of the Antarctic Peninsula. The site comprises the ice‑free area between the south‑western coast of Cierva Cove and the north‑eastern coast of Santucci Cove. Also included are Apéndice Island (64°11′41.99″S, 61°1′3.25″W) and José Hernández Island (64°10′10.06″S, 61°6′11.34″W) and Moss Islet (64°10′2.22″S, 61°1′49.43″W) and Penguin Islet (64°8′35.90″S, 60°59′11.43″W), found to the west‑southwest of Cierva Point. Although the intertidal zone of each of these areas is included in the Area, the subtidal marine environment is not.
Primavera Base (Argentina) and its associated installations, as well as the beach area utilised for access to the base, are excluded from the Area.
On the map, the shaded area indicates the group of sites that make up the Area. However the subtidal marine environment between the continental and insular portions is not included in the Area.
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Part 35—Antarctic specially protected area No. 135
1 Name and location
North‑east Bailey Peninsula, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land.
Latitude 66º 17 S, longitude 110 32 E.
2 Description
The Area consists of an irregular area of exposed rock during summer on the north‑east of Bailey Peninsula, with the north‑western portion of the Area approximately 70 m south of Brown Bay with Casey Station (66º 16 59.9 S, 110 31 59.9 E) approximately 200 m to the west. Boundary coordinates for the Area are shown in the following table.
Boundary point
Longitude
Latitude
1
110º 32 42 E
66° 17 03 S
2
110º 32 56 E
66° 17 11 S
3
110º 32 50 E
66° 17 11 S
4
110º 32 41 E
66º 17 10 S
5
110º 32 22 E
66º 17 07 S
6
110º 32 20 E
66º 17 06 S
7
110º 32 18 E
66º 17 02 S
8
110º 32 18 E
66º 17 00 S
9
110º 32 14 E
66º 16 60 S
10
110º 32 09 E
66º 16 56 S
11
110º 32 08 E
66º 16 54 S
12
110º 32 05 E
66º 16 54 S
13
110º 32 07 E
66º 16 52 S
14
110º 32 07 E
66º 16 52 S
15
110º 32 12 E
66º 16 51 S
16
110º 32 16 E
66º 16 52 S
17
110º 32 19 E
66º 16 53 S
18
110º 32 19 E
66º 16 55 S
19
110º 32 24 E
66º 16 55 S
20
110º 32 25 E
66º 16 53 S
21
110º 32 29 E
66º 16 53 S
22
110º 32 44 E
66º 16 54 S
23
110º 33 09 E
66º 17 05 S
24
110º 33 11 E
66º 17 06 S
25
110º 33 10 E
66º 17 09 S
26
110º 33 02 E
66º 17 11 S
27
110º 32 56 E
66º 17 11 S
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Part 36—Antarctic specially protected area No. 136
1 Name and location
Clark Peninsula, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land.
Latitude 66º 15 S, longitude 110 36.
2 Description
Clark Peninsula is an area of rock exposures and permanent ice and snow fields situated on the north side of Newcomb Bay at the east end of Vincennes Bay on Budd Coast, Wilkes Land. The ASPA covers approximately 9.4 km2.
The ASPA comprises all the land on Clark Peninsula northward of the southern boundary line connecting the east side of Powell Cove at a point originating at 66° 15 15 S, 110° 31 59 E, then running:
(a) through 66° 15 29 S, 110° 33 26 E to 66° 15 21 S, 110° 34 00 E; and
(b) then through 66° 15 24 S, 110° 35 09 E to 66° 15 37 S, 110° 34 40 E; and
(c) then through 66° 15 43 S, 110° 34 45 E to a point to the east‑south‑east on the Løken Moraines at 66° 16 06 S, 110° 37 11 E.
The eastern boundary is the western‑most limit of the Løken Moraines as far north as a point east of Blakeney Point at 66° 14 15 S, 110° 38 46, and then to the coast at 66° 14 15 S, 110° 38 06 E, returning along the coast to the point of origin. It is intended that the boundary of the ASPA will be indicated by prominent markers.
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Part 37—Antarctic specially protected area No. 137
1 Name and location
North‑west White Island, McMurdo Sound.
Latitude 78º 07 S, longitude 167 11.
2 Description
White Island, part of the McMurdo volcanic complex, is situated approximately 20 km south‑east of the edge of the McMurdo Ice Shelf and 25 km south‑east of Hut Point, the location of McMurdo Station (United States of America) and Scott Base (New Zealand) on Ross Island. The roughly triangular island is approximately 30 km long and 15 km wide at its maximum, and rises to a maximum elevation of 762 m in several locations. The northern and western shores of White Island descend steeply, with water depths of 600 m occurring within 5 km of the island.
White Island is predominantly ice‑covered with most of the rock outcrops being in the north, and is completely surrounded by permanent shelf ice, between 10 m and 100 m in thickness, of the McMurdo Ice Shelf and Ross Ice Shelf. Black Island is situated 2.5 km west of White Island, separated by the shelf ice of White Strait.
The ASPA includes 142 km2 of the shelf ice and open‑water cracks of both the Ross Ice Shelf and McMurdo Ice Shelf up to 5 km offshore north‑east, north and west from the White Island coast. The north‑eastern boundary extends from the north‑eastern coast of Cape Spencer‑Smith (167° 32 42 E, 78° 00 43 S) 5 km due east to 167° 46 37 E, 78° 00 43 S. The boundary then extends north‑west, and follows a line parallel to, and 5 km from, the coast, around Cape Spencer‑Smith and then heading south‑west to 167° 00 00 E, 78° 05 00 S. The boundary then extends due south for 7.8 km to 167° 00 00 E, 78° 09 12 S, and then 1.5 km east to the southern‑most significant outcrop of rock on the western coast of White Island (167° 05 00 E, 78° 09 12 S). The boundary then extends northwards, following the coastline around Cape Spencer‑Smith to the north‑eastern limit of the ASPA.
The White Island coast is distinguished by a change in surface slope where the transition between the floating ice shelf and land occurs: the transition is in some places gradual and indistinct, and the exact position of the coast is not precisely known. For this reason the coastal (generally east) boundary of the ASPA is considered to follow the line of the coast as evidenced by a surface elevation rise towards the land of 2 m above the average elevation of the adjacent McMurdo Ice Shelf.
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Part 38—Antarctic specially protected area No. 138
1 Name and location
Linnaeus Terrace, Asgaard Range, Victoria Land.
Latitude 77º 35 50 S, longitude 161 05 00E.
2 Description
Linnaeus Terrace (77° 35 50 S, 161° 05 00 E) is an elevated bench of weathered Beacon Sandstone approximately 1.5 km in length and 1 km in width. It is located at the east end of the Asgaard Range, 1.5 km north of Oliver Peak (77 36 40 S, 161° 02 30 E) at an elevation of about 1 600 m. The Area overlooks the South Fork of the Wright Valley, is about 4 km from Don Juan Pond and 10 km from the terminus of the Wright Upper Glacier.
On the ground, the lower (northern) boundary of the Area is characterised by the presence of a predominantly sandstone outcrop of approximately 3 m in height which extends for much of the length of the terrace. The lower boundary of the Area is defined as the upper edge of this outcrop, and as straight lines adjoining the visible edges where the outcrop is covered by surface talus. The upper (southern) boundary of the Area is characterised by a line of sandstone outcrop of about 2–5 m in height, occurring between the elevations of 1 660–1 700 m about 70 m above the general elevation of the terrace. The upper boundary of the Area is defined as the uppermost edge of this outcrop, and shall be considered a straight line between the visible edges where the outcrop is covered by surface talus. The west end of the Area is defined as where the terrace narrows and merges with a dolerite talus slope on the flank of the north‑west ridge of Oliver Peak. The boundary at the west dips steeply from where the upper outcrop disappears, following the border of the dolerite talus with the terrace sandstone down to the western‑most corner. The east boundary is defined as the 1 615 m contour, which follows closely the edge of an outcrop which extends much of the width of the terrace. At the southern‑most corner of the Area the terrace merges with the slopes into the valley to the east: from this point the boundary extends upward to the 1 700 m contour, from where it follows the line of outcrop defining the south boundary.
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Note: This map predates the current terminology—Site of Special Scientific Interest No. 19 is now ASPA No. 138.
Part 39—Antarctic specially protected area No. 139
1 Name and location
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island.
Latitude 64º 49 S, longitude 63 49 W.
2 Description
Biscoe Point (latitude 64° 49 S, longitude 63° 49 W) is situated on the southeast side of Biscoe Bay on the south side of Anvers Island in the Palmer Archipelago off the mid‑west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The site includes the rocky promontory ending in Biscoe Point, the smaller headland immediately to the north and the small islet off the south‑west of Biscoe Point. A narrow area of land between the two promontories is included, as is the inshore marine environment within the site boundaries, which are shown on the map.
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Note: This map predates the current terminology—SSSI No. 20 is now ASPA No. 139.
Part 40—Antarctic specially protected area No. 140
1 Name and location
Parts of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands.
2 Description
The Area comprises 11 sites. The sites are lettered A to L (excluding I), in a clockwise direction from the southwest of the caldera, and are referred to by the most prominent named geographical feature associated with each site. Boundary coordinates are listed below, but as many of the boundaries follow natural features, the boundary description outlines should also be consulted.
Boundary coordinates for the sites (other than Site J) are numbered, with number 1 the most northerly coordinate and further coordinates numbered sequentially in a clockwise direction around each site. In the tables below, the item number is the same as the boundary coordinate number.
Site A—Collins Point
The site comprises the north‑facing slopes between Collins Point and the unnamed point 1.15 km to the east (0.6 km west of Entrance Point), directly opposite Fildes Point, and extending from the back of the beach to a ridge extending up to approximately 1 km inland from the shoreline.
The eastern boundary of the site runs south from the shore at the unnamed point 0.6 km west of Entrance Point, following the outline of a ridge to 184 m above sea level. The western boundary extends from Collins Point, following a ridge south to 145 m above sea level. The southern boundary is demarcated by the arcuate ridge crest (following a line of summits east to west at 172 m, 223 m and 214 m above sea level) joining points at 184 m and 145 m above sea level. The beach area, including the Collins Point light beacon (maintained by the Chilean Navy), to the 10 m contour is excluded from the site.
Site B—Crater Lake
The site comprises Crater Lake and its shoreline, the flat ground to its north and the scoria‑covered lava tongue to the south.
The northern boundary extends along the foot of the slope to the north of the broad valley approximately 300 m north of Crater Lake (at approximately 30 m above sea level). The western boundary follows the ridgeline immediately west of the lake, and to the east of the small unnamed lake at 62°59′00″S, 60°40′30″W. The south‑western and southern boundaries follow the top of the slope (at approximately 80 m above sea level) that extends to the southwest and south of the lake. The eastern boundary passes to the east of the lava tongue south of Crater Lake, around the eastern rim of the lake and approximately 300 m across the flat plain to the north of the Crater Lake.
Site C—Caliente Hill, southern end of Fumarole Bay
The site comprises a narrow line of fumaroles extending approximately 40 m by 3 m along the gently sloping summit ridge at approximately 95 to 107 m above sea level on Caliente Hill, above the north‑western side of Albufera Lagoon northwest of Decepción Station (Argentina) at the southern end of Fumarole Bay.
The site includes all the ground above the 90 m contour on the hill, with the exception of the ground southeast of a point 10 m northwest of the cairn (62°58′27″S, 60°42′31″W) at the south‑eastern end of the ridge. Access to the cairn at the south‑eastern end of the ridge is not restricted.
Site D—Fumarole Bay
The site comprises the unstable moist scree slopes below the precipitous lava cliffs on the eastern side of the southern end of Stonethrow Ridge to the break‑of‑slope beyond the beach west of mid‑Fumarole Bay.
The southern end of the cliffs ends in a prominent ridge sloping southeast down to the beach. The southern boundary of the site extends from the base of this ridge (at approximately 10 m above sea level) along the ridge line to the base of the cliffs at approximately 50 m above sea level. The western boundary follows the limit of the scree at the base of the cliffs roughly north for 800 m at approximately 50 m above sea level. The eastern boundary extends north along the break‑of‑slope at the back of the beach for 800 m, including all the large boulders. The northern boundary (approximately 100 m in length) joins the break‑of‑slope at the back of the beach to the scree at the base of the lava flow cliffs. The flat beach area from the shore, including 2 prominent intertidal fumaroles to the south of Fumarole Bay, to the break‑of‑slope is excluded from the site.
Site E—west of Stonethrow Ridge
The site comprises an area of fumarole activity and includes a red scoria cone at approximately 270 m above sea level, on the northern side of the east to west trending ridge, approximately 600 m south‑southwest of the highest point on Stonethrow Ridge (330 m above sea level), west of central Fumarole Bay. It comprises 2 fumaroles approximately 20 m apart, the more easterly fumarole being more highly vegetated with lichens, mosses and liverworts covering an area of approximately 15 m by 5 m.
The boundary extends to 10 m beyond all evidence of geothermal activity and the unheated ground linking the 2 fumaroles.
Site F—Telefon Bay
The site incorporates several features created during the 1967 eruption in Telefon Bay, i.e. Pisagua Hill on the southern side of the site, the small shallow Ajmonecat Lake on the ash plain north of Stancomb Cove and the low flat ash plain extending from the shoreline of Telefon Bay to the steep slopes and lava outcrops approximately 0.5 km inland. Pisagua Hill was created as a new island in 1967, but is, as of 2014, joined to the main island by the aforementioned ash plain. At the northern end of the plain is Extremadura Cove, which was a lake until the narrow isthmus (approximately 2 m wide and 50 m long) separating it from Port Foster was breached in approximately 2006. Extremadura Cove is excluded from the site.
The northern shoreline of the lagoon (Stancomb Cove) at the southwest of Telefon Bay marks the southern boundary of the site, and the south‑western shore of the Extremadura Cove to the north of Telefon Bay marks the north‑eastern boundary of the site. The south‑eastern boundary extends along the shore south of Pisagua Hill, north to the shoreline of the Extremadura Cove at the northern end of Telefon Bay. The north‑western boundary is roughly delineated by the 10 m contour of Telefon Ridge that links Stancomb Cove to Extremadura Cove. Ajmonecat Lake (62°55′23″S, 60°40′45″W), including its shoreline, is included in the site. The shoreline of Telefon Bay is excluded from the site to allow access past the site.
Site G—Pendulum Cove
The site comprises the uneven gentle slope of coarse grey, crimson, and red scoria and occasional disintegrating blocks of yellowish tuff, east‑northeast of Crimson Hill and approximately 0.4 to 0.8 km east of Pendulum Cove. It extends approximately 500 m from west to east and is up to approximately 400 m wide from north to south. It was created largely by the 1969 eruption which destroyed the nearby abandoned Chilean Base (which is declared to be an historic site or an historic monument (site number 76 in the table in Schedule 1 to the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection — Historic Sites and Monuments) Proclamation 2007)). The site includes the slope and undulating plateau behind Pendulum Cove.
The western boundary follows the 40 m contour line and the eastern boundary follows the 140 m contour line east‑southeast of Pendulum Cove. The northern and southern boundaries follow the edge of the volcanic debris‑covered permanent ice that borders the site.
Site H—Mount Pond
The site is located approximately 1.4 to 2 km north‑northwest of the summit of Mount Pond. The extensive area of geothermally‑heated ground includes an area (approximately 150 m by 500 m) on the north‑eastern side of the gently sloping upper part of a broad ridge at approximately 385 to 500 m above sea level.
The northern boundary extends along the 62°55′51″S line of latitude, the southern boundary extends along the 62°56′12″S line of latitude and the eastern boundary extends along the 60°33′30″W line of longitude. The western boundary follows the ridgeline of the broad ridge that slopes north‑northwest from the summit of Mount Pond between 60°33′48″W and 60°34′51″W.
Site J—Perchuć Cone
This ash cone lies approximately 750 m northeast of Ronald Hill and comprises a very narrow line of fumaroles and adjacent geothermally‑heated ground on the west‑facing slope at approximately 160 to 170 m above sea level. The geothermal area covers approximately 25 m by 10 m, and the fine ash and lapilli surface of the entire slope is very vulnerable to pedestrian damage.
The boundary encompasses all of the ash and cinder cone referred to as Perchuć Cone.
The site is located at 62°58′02″S, 60°33′39″W.
Site K—Ronald Hill to Kroner Lake
The site includes the circular flat plain of the crater immediately to the south of Ronald Hill, and extends along the prominent broad shallow outwash gulley with a low bank on either side, leading south to Kroner Lake. The site also includes the intertidal geothermal lagoon (Kroner Lake) as it is part of the same volcanological feature.
The boundary surrounds the crater basin, gulley, Kroner Lake and an area between approximately 100 m and 150 m wide around the lake. A corridor below Ronald Hill, from the break‑of‑slope to the lowermost massive boulders approximately 10 to 20 m beyond, remains outside the boundary to allow access past the Area.
Site L—South East Point
The site comprises an east to west trending rocky ridge approximately 0.7 km north of South East Point, extending west for approximately 250 m from the top of the sea cliff (approximately 20 m above sea level) to a point approximately 80 m above sea level. The northern edge of the ridge is a low vertical lava outcrop, giving way to a steep unstable slope leading to the floor of a gully parallel to the ridge. The southern side of the site is the gently sloping ridge crest covered with ash and lapilli.
The site extends 50 m north and south of the lava outcrop.
Part 41—Antarctic specially protected area No. 141
1 Name and location
Yukidori Valley, Langhovde, Lützow‑Holm Bay.
Latitude 69°00′30″S, longitude 39°46′00″E.
2 Description
The Yukidori Valley is located in the middle part of Langhovde, on the eastern coast of Lützow‑Holm Bay, continental Antarctica. The Area is 2.0 to 2.5 km by 1.8 km, located between a tongue of the ice cap and sea at the western end of the Valley. The Area does not include any marine area.
The Area comprises all the land within the following boundary lines:
(a) the eastern boundary follows a straight line due south from 69°14′00″S, 39°48′00″E to 69°14′00″S, 39°48′00″E;
(b) the northern boundary follows a straight line due west from 69°14′00″S, 39°48′00″E to the coastline at 69°14′00″S, 39°44′20″E;
(c) the southern boundary follows a straight line due west from 69°15′00″S, 39°48′00″E to the stream of Yatude Zawa at 69°15′00″S, 39°45′20″E (map point G);
(d) the western boundary between 69°14′00″S, 39°48′00″E (near map point A) and map point G, is delineated by the highwater line of the coast, rope boundaries and stream of Yatude Valley, as follows:
(i) the highwater line of the coast from 69°14′00″S, 39°44′.20″E (near map point A) to 69°14′13″S, 39°43′23″E (map point B);
(ii) rope boundaries from map point B to 69°14′17″S, 39°43′12″E (map point C);
(iii) the highwater line of the coast from map point C to 69°14′31″S, 39°42′57″E (map point D);
(iv) rope boundaries from map point D to 69°14′32″S, 39°43′.01″E (near map point F);
(v) the stream of Yatude Valley from 69°14′38″S, 39°43′.04″E (near map point F) to map point G.
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Part 42—Antarctic specially protected area No. 142
1 Name and location
Svarthamaren, Mühlig‑Hofmannfjella, Dronning Maud Land.
Latitude 71°53′16″S, longitude 5°9′24″E to latitude 71°56′10″S, longitude 5°15′37″E.
2 Description
The Area is located in Mühlig‑Hoffmannfjella, Dronning Maud Land, stretching from approximately 71°53′16″S, 5°9′24″E in the northeast to approximately 71°56′10″S, 5°15′37″E in the southeast. The distance from the ice front is approximately 200 km. The Area covers approximately 7.5 km2, and consists of the ice‑free areas of the Svarthamaren nunatak, including the areas in the immediate vicinity of the ice‑free areas naturally belonging to the nunatak (i.e. rocks).
The Norwegian field station Tor is located in the Svarthamaren nunatak at 71°53′22″S, 5°9′34″E. The station, including a 10 m buffer zone around the station buildings, is excluded from the Svarthamaren ASPA.
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Part 43—Antarctic specially protected area No. 143
1 Name and location
Marine Plain, Mule Peninsula, Vestfold Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land.
Latitude 68º 37 50 S, longitude 78 07 55 E.
2 Description
Marine Plain ASPA lies approximately 10 km south‑east of Davis Station in the Vestfold Hills. The Area (23.4 km², 68° 37 50 S, 78° 07 55 E) opens into an arm of Crooked Fjord on the southern side of Mule Peninsula, the southern‑most of the three major peninsulas that comprise the Vestfold Hills. The Vestfold Hills are a largely ice‑free oasis of approximately 512 km² of bedrock, glacial debris, lakes, and ponds, at the eastern side of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land.
Starting at the most northerly point of the Area the boundary description is as follows: commencing at 68° 36 34 S, 78° 09 28 E, then south‑easterly to 68° 36 45 S, 78° 10 30 E; then south‑easterly to 68° 37 30 S, 78° 12 30 E, then south along meridian of longitude 78° 12 30 E to its intersection with the northern shore of Pineapple Lake; then west along that shore to the edge of the Sørsdal Glacier; then westerly along the northern edge of the Sørsdal Glacier to its intersection with the low water mark of the north eastern shore of Crooked Fjord; then westerly along the low water mark of the northern shore of Crooked Fjord (cutting across the outlet of Burton Lake into Crooked Fjord) to its intersection with the meridian of longitude 78° 03 00 E; then north along meridian of longitude 78° 03 00 E to its intersection with the parallel of latitude 68° 37 30 S, then north‑easterly to 68° 36 56 S, 78° 05 39 E, then north‑easterly to the point of commencement.
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Part 45—Antarctic specially protected area No. 145
1 Name and location
Port Foster, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
A: between 62° 55 30 S and 62° 56 12 S, and between 60° 37 00 W and 60° 38 00 W
B: between 62° 57 12 S and 62° 57 54 S, and between 60° 36 20 W and 60° 37 20 W.
2 Description
Values protected under original designation included the diversity of benthic fauna on two different kinds of sea bottom substrates. The original research about the ecological process of recolonisation after volcanic eruption needed protection from the risk of undue interference.
Deception Island is a caldera formed by subsidence of a group of Cenozoic volcanoes superimposed along radial faults. Port Foster is an almost entirely enclosed body of water, receiving large volumes of fresh water during periods of melt. In several places there is geothermal activity.
The area is of exceptional ecological interest because of its actively volcanic character. The two habitat areas are subject to long‑term research programs and the purpose in designating them is, as far as possible, to reduce the risk of accidental interference that could jeopardise these scientific investigations.
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Part 47—Antarctic specially protected area No. 147
1 Name and location
Ablation Valley‑Ganymede Heights, Alexander Island.
Latitude 70º 45 S to 70 55 S, longitude 68 21 W to 68 40 W.
2 Description
Ablation Valley‑Ganymede Heights (between latitudes 70° 45 S and 70° 55 S and longitudes 68° 21 W and 68° 40 W, approximately 180 km2) is situated on the east side of Alexander Island, the largest island off the western coast of Palmer Land, Antarctic Peninsula. The Area has a central west‑east extent of about 10 km and a north‑south extent of about 18 km, flanked to the west by the upper part of Jupiter Glacier, to the east by the permanent ice shelf in George VI Sound, to the north by Grotto Glacier and to the south by the lower reaches of Jupiter Glacier.
The designated Area comprises the entire Ablation Valley‑Ganymede Heights massif, bounded in the west by the principal ridge dividing Jupiter Glacier from the main Ablation‑Moutonnée‑Flatiron valleys. In the east, the boundary is defined by the western margin of George VI Ice Shelf. The northern boundary of the Area is defined as the principal ridge dividing Grotto Glacier from Erratic Valley and other tributary valleys feeding into Ablation Valley, immediately to the south. In the north‑west of the Area, the boundary extends across the mostly‑glaciated col separating upper Jupiter Glacier from Ablation Valley. The southern boundary of the Area, from east of the principal ridge on the west side of Flatiron Valley to where Jupiter Glacier joins George VI Ice Shelf, is defined as the northern lateral margin of Jupiter Glacier. As the margin between Ablation Lake and George VI Ice Shelf is in places indistinct, the eastern boundary of the Area at Ablation Valley is defined as a straight line extending due south from the eastern extremity of Ablation Point to where the ice shelf abuts land, and from where the eastern boundary follows the land/ice shelf margin. The physiography is similar further south at Moutonnée Lake, and the eastern boundary in this locality is defined as a straight line extending from the eastern extremity of the point on the northern side of (and partially enclosing) Moutonnée Lake to the locality of a prominent meltwater pool where the ice shelf abuts land, and from where the boundary follows the land/ice shelf margin south to where Jupiter Glacier and George VI Ice Shelf adjoin. The Area thus includes the entirety of Ablation and Moutonnée lakes and those parts of the ice shelf behind which they are impounded.
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Part 48—Antarctic specially protected area No. 148
1 Name and location
Mount Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 63º 25 S, longitude 57 01 W.
2 Description
Mount Flora (latitude 63° 25 S, longitude 57° 01 W, 0.3 km2) is situated on the south‑eastern flank of Hope Bay, at the northern end of Trinity Peninsula, Antarctic Peninsula. The summit of Mount Flora (520 m) is approximately 1 km from the southern shore of Hope Bay.
The boundaries designated in the original management plan have been revised in the current management plan to include all of the known exposed fossiliferous strata on the northern slopes of Mount Flora. The summit ridge and highest peak of Mount Flora (520 m), which were formerly within the boundary, are comprised of non‑fossiliferous volcanic rocks and have now been excluded from the Area. The boundary runs from the north summit of Mount Flora (516 m)—the highest point of the boundary—westward down the ridge to the Kenney Glacier, the eastern margin of Kenney Glacier northward to the 150 m contour, eastward along the 150 m contour to the north‑western margin of the Flora Glacier, the north‑western margin of the Flora Glacier south‑westward to the ridge leading westward to the north summit of Mount Flora. Where present, the glacier margins, lower outcrops, western ridge and northern summit of Mount Flora form visually obvious features that indicate the boundaries: the Area remains otherwise unmarked.
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Part 49—Antarctic specially protected area No. 149
1 Name and location
Cape Shirreff and San Telmo Island, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 62º 29 S, longitude 60 48 W.
2 Description
Following designation, the size of the Cape Shirreff Antarctic fur seal colony increased to a level at which biological research could be undertaken without threatening continued increase. A survey of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula identified Cape Shirreff—San Telmo Island as the most suitable site to monitor Antarctic fur seal colonies that could be affected by fisheries around the South Shetland Islands. In order to accommodate the monitoring program the SPA was redesignated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) No. 32 through Recommendation XV‑7 (1989) following a joint proposal by Chile, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Designation was on the grounds that the “presence of both Antarctic fur seal and penguin colonies, and of krill fisheries within the foraging range of these species, make this a critical site for inclusion in the ecosystem monitoring network being established to help meet the objectives of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The purpose of the designation is to allow planned research and monitoring to proceed, while avoiding or reducing, to the greatest extent possible, other activities which could interfere with or affect the results of the research and monitoring programme or alter the natural features of the Site”. The boundaries were enlarged to include San Telmo Island and associated nearby islets. Following a proposal prepared by Chile and USA, the Area was subsequently designated as CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) Site No. 2 through CCAMLR Conservation Measure 82/XIII (1994), with boundaries identical to SSSI No. 32.
The current Management Plan reaffirms the exceptional scientific and monitoring values associated with the large and diverse populations of seabirds and pinnipeds which breed within the Area, and in particular those of the Antarctic fur seal colony. The Antarctic fur seal colony is the largest in the Antarctic Peninsula region and is the most southerly that is large enough to study growth, survival, diet, reproduction parameters: it numbered around 20,000 individuals in 2003–2004. Monitoring of the Antarctic fur seal colony began in 1965 (Aguayo and Torres, 1966; 1967) and seasonal data are available from 1991, making this one of the longest continuous Antarctic fur seal monitoring programs. As part of the CEMP, monitoring is established to detect and avoid possible adverse effects of fisheries on dependant species such as pinnipeds and seabirds, as well as target species such as Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Long‑term studies are assessing and monitoring the survival, feeding ecology, growth, condition, reproduction, behavior, vital rates, and abundance of pinnipeds and seabirds that breed within the Area. Data from these studies will be compared alongside environmental and other biological data and fisheries statistics in order to help identify possible cause‑effect relationships between fisheries and pinniped and seabird populations.
In 2001–02 imprints of megaflora were discovered in rocks incorporated within moraines of the Livingston Island glacier (Palma‑Heldt et al., in review 2004). The fossiliferous rocks are of two different ages, and early interpretations suggest the rocks may assist understanding relationships between nearby fossil localities at Williams Point and Byers Peninsula, also on Livingston Island. Studies of the fossils are on‑going and it is important that they are protected from over‑sampling.
The original values of the protected area associated with the plant and invertebrate communities cannot be confirmed as primary reasons for special protection of the Area because there is a lack of data available describing the communities.
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Part 51—Antarctic specially protected area No. 151
1 Name
Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands.
2 Description
The site is located on the southern coast of King George Bay, King George Island, in the South Shetlands Islands. It is described as all the land and sea falling within the area bounded by the following coordinates:
62° 07 48 S, 58° 09 17 W
62° 07 49 S, 58° 07 14 W
62° 08 19 S, 58° 07 19 W
62° 08 16 S, 58° 09 15 W.
The Area includes the littoral and sublittoral zones extending from the eastern end of Lajkonik Rock to the most northerly point of Twin Pinnacles. From this point the boundary extends to the eastern‑most end of the columnar plug of Lions Head to the east of White Eagle Glacier. On land, the Area includes the coast of raised beaches, freshwater pools and streams on the south side of King George Bay, around Lions Cove, and the moraines and slopes which lead to the lower ice tongue of White Eagle Glacier, then westward to a small moraine which protrudes through the ice cap south‑east of Sukiennice Hills.
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Note: This map predates the current terminology—SPA is now ASPA.
Part 52—Antarctic specially protected area No. 152
1 Name and location
Western Bransfield Strait off Low Island, South Shetland Islands.
Latitude 63º 15 S to 63 30 S, longitude 62 00 W to 62 45 W.
2 Description
Bransfield Strait is a deep water passage approximately 220 km long and 120 km wide between the Antarctic Peninsula and the numerous islands that comprise the South Shetland Islands. The Drake Passage is to the north and to the west is the Bellingshausen Sea. The Area lies approximately 80 km west of the Antarctic Peninsula, mostly within the 200 m isobath directly south and west of Low Island. Low Island is the southern‑most of the South Shetland Islands, lying 60 km south‑west of Deception Island and 25 km south‑east of Smith Island. To the west and south of Low Island, and for approximately 20 km from the shore, the sea floor slopes gently from the intertidal zone to depths of approximately 200 m. The sea floor slopes steeply to the east of Low Island, reaching depths of up to 1 200 m in this part of Bransfield Strait.
The revised boundaries of the Area at Western Bransfield Strait are defined in the north as the line of latitude at 63° 15 S and in the south at 63° 30 S, in the east the boundary is defined as the line of longitude at 62° 00 W and in the west 62° 45 W. The north‑eastern boundary is defined as the shoreline of Low Island, extending from 62° 00 W, 63° 20 S in the south‑east (approximately 2 km from Cape Hooker) to 62° 13 30 W, 63° 15 S in the north‑west (Cape Wallace). The coastline boundary on the western and southern shores of Low Island is defined as the high tide level, and the intertidal zone is included within the Area. The Area extends a maximum of 27.6 km north‑south and a maximum of 37.15 km east‑west, encompassing an area of approximately 900 km². Boundary markers have not been installed because in the marine area this is impractical, while at Low Island the coast itself is a clearly defined and visually obvious boundary feature.
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Part 53—Antarctic specially protected area No. 153
1 Name and location
Eastern Dallmann Bay off Brabant Island, Palmer Archipelago.
Latitude 63º 53 S to 64 20 S, longitude 62 16 W to 62 45 W.
2 Description
Dallmann Bay (between latitudes 63° 53 S and 64° 20 S and from longitude 63° 16 W eastward to the western shore of Brabant Island) is situated approximately 65 km west of the Antarctic Peninsula, between Brabant Island and Anvers Island, with Bransfield Strait to the north and Gerlache Strait to the south.
The designated Area is defined in the south by latitude 64° 20 S, extending from Fleming Point westward for 2 km to 62° 40 W. From this location, the western boundary extends due north on longitude 62° 40 W for 18.5 km to 64° 10 S, south‑south‑west of Astrolabe Needle. The western boundary then extends north‑north‑west almost 19 km to 62° 45 W, 64° 00 S. The western boundary then extends approximately 13 km due north on longitude 62° 45 W to latitude 63° 53 S, the northern boundary of the Area. The northern boundary extends along latitude 63° 53 S from 62° 45 W to 62° 16 W, being a distance of approximately 23.4 km. The eastern boundary extends due south approximately 16 km from 62° 16 W, 63° 53 S to the eastern extremity of Pasteur Peninsula, Brabant Island, at 62° 16 W, 64° 02 S. From there, the eastern boundary is defined as the mean high water mark of the northern and western coastline of Brabant Island, which includes the intertidal zone within the Area. The Area is 50 km from north to south and extends up to a maximum of 23.4 km east‑west. West of Brabant Island the width of the Area ranges between 10 km (at Guyou Bay) and 1.5 km (near Claude Point). The total area is approximately 580 km2.
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Part 54—Antarctic specially protected area No. 154
1 Name and location
Botany Bay, Cape Geology, Victoria Land.
Latitude 77°00′14″S, longitude 162°32′52″E.
2 Description
Cape Geology is located in the south‑western corner of Granite Harbour, southern Victoria Land, at 77°00′14″S, 162°32′52″E, approximately 100 km northwest of Ross Island. The Area consists of raised boulder beach terraces, weathered rocky steppes and irregular rock platforms around Cape Geology, rising rapidly to the south to include a well‑defined elevated cirque containing a small ice field.
The boundaries of the Area include the water catchment and encompass the elevated cirque from the small ice field down to the coastline.
The north‑western boundary is marked by a brass plaque in a boulder along the shoreline (77°00′19″S, 162°31′53″E (map point M1)) 400 m southwest of Cape Geology.
The boundary then continues as follows:
(a) starting at map point M1, it extends south‑southeast for 260 m to a large boulder (marked by a cairn) with terrier bolt (77°00′27″S, 162°33′08″E (map point M2)) at 118 m above sea level on the ridge above the campsite;
(b) then for 250 m up this ridge to a point at 162 m above sea level marked by an iron tube with bamboo pole;
(c) then for 300 m up this ridge to a large pointed rock at 255 m above sea level (77°00′40″S, 162°31′46″E) near the edge of the permanent ice field;
(d) then south for 150 m across the ice field to the western edge of a prominent line of exposed rock and moraine in the south‑western corner of the Area at 325 m above sea level;
(e) then following this line of rock east until the exposure is buried by the ice field;
(f) then southeast across the ice field for 500 m to the edge of a second and more prominent exposure at just over 400 m above sea level (77°00′59″S, 162°33′22″E (map point M3));
(g) then following the upper edge of this exposure, crossing the ice field southeast to approximately 325 m above sea level where the ice‑free eastern boundary ridge and the ice field converge (77°01′16″S, 162°34′15″E);
(h) then following the ridge crest northeast for 1 550 m to a low point on the ridge approximately 392 m above sea level (77°00′13″S, 162°36′10″E (map point M4));
(i) then descending due north to the coast at the eastern extremity of the boulder beach of Botany Bay (77°00′12″S, 162°36′12″E (map point M5)).
The mean high water mark of the coastline forms the northern boundary of the Area between map points M1 and M5.
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Part 55—Antarctic specially protected area No. 155
1 Name and location
Cape Evans, Ross Island.
77º38 S Latitude, 16624 E longitude.
2 Description
The significant historic value of this Area was formally recognised when it was listed as Historic Site and Monument Nos 16 and 17 in Recommendation 9 (1972). An area containing both sites was designated as Specially Protected Area No. 25 in Measure 2 (1997) and redesignated as Antarctic Specially Protected Area 155 in Decision 1 (2002).
The Terra Nova hut (Historic Site and Monument No. 16) is the largest of the historic huts in the Ross Sea region. It was built in January 1911 by the British Antarctic Terra Nova Expedition of 1910–1913, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN. It was subsequently used as a base by the Ross Sea party of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans‑Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917.
Historic Site and Monument No. 17 contains the Cross on Wind Vane Hill, (erected in the memory of three members of Shackleton’s Ross Sea party who died in 1916). In addition to this, the anchors of the ship Aurora from the Imperial Trans‑Antarctic Expedition, an instrument shelter, several supply dumps and dog kennels, and numerous artefacts are distributed around the site.
Some of the earliest advances in the study of earth sciences, meteorology, flora and fauna are associated with the Terra Nova Expedition based at this site. The data collected can provide a bench mark against which to compare current measurements. The history of these activities and the contribution they have made to the understanding and awareness of Antarctica therefore contribute to both the historic and scientific value of the site.
The Cape Evans site is one of the principal sites of early human activity in Antarctica. It is an important symbol of the ‘Heroic Era’ of Antarctic exploration, and as such, has considerable historical significance.
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Part 56—Antarctic specially protected area No. 156
1 Name and location
Lewis Bay, Mount Erebus, Ross Island.
Latitude 77º 25 29 S, longitude 167 28 30 E.
2 Description
The designated Area on Ross Island encompasses the crash zone (centred on 77° 25 29 S, 167° 28 30 E, elevation 520 m) and the surrounding glacial ice 2 km above and to either side of this position, extends as a 4 km wide ‘rectangle’ down to the sea, and includes the airspace above this region to an altitude of 1 000 m with the exception of a 200 m wide air access ‘corridor’ along the coastline. The west boundary of the Area is the 167° 23 33 E meridian; the east boundary is the 167° 33 27 E meridian. The south boundary is the 77° 26 33 S parallel, while the north boundary is defined by the coastline.
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Part 57—Antarctic specially protected area No. 157
1 Name and location
Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island.
77°33′S, 166°10′E.
2 Description
Cape Royds is an ice‑free area at the western extremity of Ross Island, approximately 40 km to the south of Cape Bird and 35 km to the north of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island. The ice‑free area is composed of till covered basalt bedrock. The designated Area is located to the northeast of Cape Royds adjacent to Backdoor Bay. It is immediately to the east of ASPA 121, an Adélie penguin colony. The Area is centred on Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition hut.
The eastern and southern boundary consists of the shoreline of the eastern coast of Cape Royds from an unmarked point in Backdoor Bay (77°33′07.5″S, 166°10′32.6″E) to an unmarked point in Arrival Bay (77°33′15.8″S, 166°10′06.6″E).
The western boundary follows the boundary of ASPA 121 from the coastline at Arrival Bay (77°33′15.8″S, 166°10′06.6″E) 18 m northwest to a signpost at the southern end of the penguin viewing area (77°33′15.2″S, 166°10′05.7″E), a further 74 m to a signpost (77°33′12.9″S, 166°10′01.9″E) on the northern end of the penguin viewing area and a further 42 m to a signpost (77°33′11.8″S, 166°09′59.0″E) east of Pony Lake.
The boundary then extends northwest from the signpost east of Pony Lake (77°33′11.8″S, 166°09′59.0″E) along a gully leading to an unmarked point (77°33′07.5″S, 166°10′12.9″E) adjacent to the New Zealand refuge hut.
The northern boundary extends due east from the New Zealand shelter (from the unmarked point at 77°33′07.5"S, 166°10′12.9″E) to the coastline of Backdoor Bay (77°33′07.5″S, 166°10′32.6″E).
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Part 58—Antarctic specially protected area No. 158
1 Name and location
Hut Point, Ross Island.
Latitude 77º 50 50 S, longitude 166 38 E.
2 Description
The significant historic value of this Area was formally recognised when it was designated as Historic Site and Monument No. 18 in Recommendation 9 (1972). It was designated as Specially Protected Area No. 28 in Measure 1 (1998) and redesignated as ASPA No. 158 in Decision 1 (2002).
The hut was built in February 1902 during the National Antarctic (Discovery) Expedition of 1901–1904, led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott who later found it a valuable advance staging point for journeys on the “Barrier” during his 1910‑1913 expedition. It was also used by Sir Ernest Shackleton during the 1907‑1909 British Antarctic Expedition and later by his stranded Ross Sea Party during the Imperial Trans‑Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917. This building was prefabricated in Australia to an ‘outback’ design with verandahs on three sides.
The Hut Point site is one of the principal sites of early human activity in Antarctica. It is an important symbol of the ‘Heroic Era’ of Antarctic exploration and, as such, has considerable historical significance. Some of the earliest advances in the study of earth sciences, meteorology, flora and fauna in Antarctica are associated with the Discovery Expedition based at this site. The history of these activities and the contribution they have made to the understanding and awareness of Antarctica give this Area significant scientific, aesthetic and historic values.
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Part 59—Antarctic specially protected area No. 159
1 Name and location
Cape Adare, Borchgrevink Coast.
Latitude 71° 19 S, 170° 12 E.
2 Description
Cape Adare is a generally ice‑free, prominent volcanic headland, at the northern end of Victoria Land, which marks the western approaches to the Ross Sea. The Area is located to the south‑west of the Cape on the southern shore of Ridley Beach, which encloses a large, flat, triangular area of shingle.
The northern boundary of the Area is an east‑west line 50 m north of the Northern Party Hut. The eastern boundary of the Area is a north‑south line 50 m east of Borchgrevink’s stores hut. The north‑east corner of the boundary is at 71° 18.502 S, 170° 11.735 E and the south‑east corner of the boundary is at 71° 18.633 S 170° 11.735 E. The western boundary of the Area is a north‑south line 50 m west of Borchgrevink’s living hut. The north‑west corner of the boundary is at 71° 18.502 S, 170° 11.547 E and the south‑west corner of the boundary is at 71° 18.591 S, 170° 11.547 E. The southern boundary is the high tide mark of Ridley Beach.
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Part 60—Antarctic specially protected area No. 160
1 Name and location
Frazier Islands, Windmill Islands, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 66° 14 S, longitude 110° 10 E.
2 Description
The Frazier Islands are located at latitude 66° 14 S, longitude 110° 10 E. The three islands (Nelly, Dewart and Charlton Islands) lie in the eastern part of Vincennes Bay approximately 16 km to the west‑north‑west of Casey Station.
The ASPA comprises the entire terrestrial area of the three islands, with the seaward boundary at the low water mark. The total area of the Frazier Islands ASPA is approximately 0.6 km². There are no boundary markers.
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Part 61—Antarctic specially protected area No. 161
1 Name and location
Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea.
Latitude 74º 42 57 S to 74 48 00 S, longitude 164 10 00 E.
2 Description
The designated Area is situated in Terra Nova Bay, between the Campbell Glacier Tongue and Drygalski Ice Tongue, Victoria Land. The Area is confined to a narrow strip of coastal waters to the south of Terra Nova Bay Station (Italy), extending approximately 9.4 km in length and generally within 1.5–7 km of the shore, comprising an area of 29.4 km².
The western boundary of the Area is defined as the mean high water mark along the coastline extending between 74° 42 57 S in the north (2.3 km south of Terra Nova Bay Station) and 74° 48 00 S in the south (the southern shore of Adélie Cove), and includes the intertidal zone. The northern boundary of the Area is defined as the 74° 42 57 S line of latitude, extending from the coast 1.55 km eastward to the 164° 10 00 E line of longitude. The boundary position may be recognised near the shore by the presence of a large and distinctive offshore rock in the northernmost cove on the coast south of Terra Nova Bay Station, which is an unique feature on this stretch of coast. The southern boundary is defined as the 74° 48 00 S line of latitude, extending from the coast 3.63 km eastward to the 164° 10 00 E line of longitude. The boundary position may be recognised visually as being at the southern shore of the mouth of Adélie Cove, immediately south of a distinctive rocky outcrop at the base of the coastal cliffs. The eastern boundary of the Area is defined as the 164° 10 00 E line of longitude extending between 74° 42 57 S in the north and 74° 48 00 S in the south.
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Part 62—Antarctic specially protected area No. 162
1 Name and location
Mawson’s Huts, Cape Denison Commonwealth Bay, George V Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 67°00′31″S, longitude 142°40′43″E.
2 Description
Cape Denison (67°00′35″S, 142°40′6″E) is located on the coast of Commonwealth Bay, a 60 km wide stretch of coast in George V Land some 3 000 km south of Hobart, Australia. The cape itself is a rugged, 1.5 km wide tongue of ice, snow, rock and moraine projecting into Commonwealth Bay from the steeply rising wall of the ice cap of continental Antarctica. On the western side of the cape is Boat Harbour, a 330 m long indentation in the coast.
The boundary of the Area is as follows:
(a) starting at Land’s End (67°00′47″S, 142°39′28″E) in the west, it extends along the coastline to the northern tip of the western shore of Boat Harbour (67°00′21″S, 142°39′28″E);
(b) then across the mouth of Boat Harbour (in a straight north‑easterly diagonal) to the eastern shore of Boat Harbour (67°00′21″S, 142°39′27″E), southwest of Penguin Knob;
(c) then southeast along the coastline down to John O’Groats (67°00′47″S, 142°41′27″E);
(d) then in a straight line back to Land’s End along the 67°00′47″S line of latitude.
With the exception of the boundary across the mouth of Boat Harbour, the northern coastal boundary extends to that land above the lowest tide.
The shoreline and the ice cliffs at both ends of the Cape (Land’s End and John O’Groats) form a clearly defined boundary. As such, no boundary markers have been installed.
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Part 63—Antarctic specially protected area No. 163
1 Name and Location
Dakshin Gangotri Glacier, Dronning Maud Land.
Latitude 70º43 50 S, longitude 7046 40 E.
2 Description
Historic value
Dakshin Gangotri Glacier is a small tongue of polar continental ice sheet, overriding the Schirmacher Oasis of central Dronning Maud Land (CDML). It was identified by the second Indian Antarctic Expedition in 1983 and since then its snout is being monitored continuously.
Scientific value
With the availability of this vast amount of data for the past two decades, it has become a valuable site for observing the changes in the movement of the Antarctic ice sheet under the impact of global warming. The area has primary scientific importance for glaciologists and environmental scientists. Due to the scientific values of the Area and the nature of the research, it is protected as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area consistent with Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6 of Annex V of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, to prevent interference with ongoing planned scientific investigations.
Environmental value
In the designated Area exploration shows the faunal diversity and ecology of the moss‑inhabiting terrestrial invertebrate fauna and it is also extensively explored lichenologically. Schirmacher Oasis is also important area for the algal and cyanobacterial flora diversity. Terrestrial mosses are quite widespread in the Schirmacher Oasis colonising a range of habitats. The bryophytes, because of their poikilohydric nature and alternative strategy of adaptation, are one of the very few plant groups which grow in Antarctica. As such their role in habitat modification, nutrient cycling, primary production and providing shelter and security to associated invertebrate animals, for example the bryobionts, bryophiles, bryoxenes assume a particular significance. Bryophytes have been reported in Schirmacher Oasis (divided in Eastern, Central and Western Schirmacher). Lichens, fungi, algae and bacteria have also been reported in the Area. Distribution of algae and cyanobacteria flora of fresh water streams of the Oasis at the designated area are studied. Examination of algae and cyanobacteria is conducted in the glacier‑melt water stream. The species reported are G. magma, Chaemosiphon subglobosus, Oscillatoria limosa, O. limnetica, P. frigidum, P. autumnale, Nostoc commune, N. punctiforme, Calothrix gracilis, C. brevissima, Uronema sp., and Cosmarium leave. Among the cyanobacteria encountered in the stream of Schirmacher Oasis, contribution by N2–fixing species might play a significant role in nitrogen economy of the ecosystem through N2–fixation. Studies on South Polar skuas are also conducted at Schirmacher Oasis and their nesting and breeding success is reported around the designated place.
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Part 64—Antarctic specially protected area No. 164
1 Name and Location
Scullin and Murray Monoliths, Mac.Robertson Land.
67°47′37″S, 66°43′08″E and 67°47′03″S, 66°53′17″E.
2 Description
Scullin Monolith (67°47′37″S, 66°43′08″E) and Murray Monolith (67°47′03″S, 66°53′17″E) are situated on the coast of Mac.Robertson Land some 160 km east of Mawson station. The monoliths are approximately 7 km apart and abut the sea at the edge of the continental ice sheet.
The Scullin and Murray Monoliths ASPA comprises 2 sectors:
(a) Scullin Monolith: the boundary commences at a coordinate on the coastline at 67°46′59″S, 66°40′30″E, then continues in a southerly direction to a coordinate at 67°48′03″S, 66°40′26″E, east to a coordinate at 67°48′06″S, 66°44′33″E, then north to a coordinate on the coast at 67°46′41″S, 66°44′37″E, then west following the coast line at the low tide mark to the coordinate 67°46′59″S, 66°40′30″E.
(b) Murray Monolith: the boundary commences on the coastline at 67°46′36″S, 66°51′01″E, then continues in a southerly direction to 67°48′03″S, 66°50′55″E, extends east to 67°48′05″S, 66°53′51″E, and north to 67°46′38″S, 66°54′00″E, then west following the coast line at the low tide mark to the coordinate 67°46′36″S, 66°51′01″E.
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Part 65—Antarctic specially protected area No. 165
1 Name and Location
Edmonson Point, Wood Bay, Ross Sea.
Latitude 74° 20 S, longitude 165° 08 E.
2 Description
Edmonson Point, Wood Bay, Victoria Land, Ross Sea, was proposed as an Antarctic specially protected area by Italy on the grounds that it has outstanding ecological and scientific values which require protection from possible interference that might arise from unregulated access. The Area includes ice‑free ground and a small area of adjacent sea at the foot of the eastern slopes of Mount Melbourne (2 732 m), which is of limited extent and is the subject of ongoing and long‑term scientific research.
The terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem at Edmonson Point is one of the most outstanding in northern Victoria Land. An exceptional diversity of freshwater habitats is present, with numerous streams, lakes, ponds and seepage areas exhibiting nutrient conditions ranging from eutrophic to oligotrophic. Such a range of freshwater habitats is rare in Victoria Land. Consequently, these habitats support a high diversity of algal and cyanobacterial species, with over 120 species so far recorded, and the stream network is the most extensive and substantial in northern Victoria Land. The volcanic lithology and substrata, locally nutrient‑enriched by birds, together with a localised abundance of water, provide a habitat for relatively extensive bryophyte development. Plant communities are highly sensitive to changes in the hydrological regime, and environmental gradients produce sharply defined community boundaries. Thus, the range of vegetation is diverse, and includes epilithic lichen communities, some of which are dependent on high nitrogen input from birds, communities associated with late‑lying snow patches, and moss‑dominated communities that favour continually moist or wet habitats. The site represents one of the best examples of the latter community type in Victoria Land. Invertebrates are unusually abundant and extensively distributed for this part of Antarctica.
The nature and diversity of the terrestrial and freshwater habitats offer outstanding scientific opportunities, especially for studies of biological variation and processes along moisture and nutrient gradients. The site is considered one of the best in Antarctica for studies of algal ecology. These features were among those that led to the selection of Edmonson Point as a key site in the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research’s Biological Investigations of Terrestrial Antarctic Systems (BIOTAS) programme in 1995–96. A coordinated multinational research programme, known as BIOTEX‑1, established study sites and made extensive collections of soil, rock, water, snow, guano, bacteria, vegetation (cyanobacterial mats, fungi, algae, lichens, bryophytes) and terrestrial invertebrates.
The scientific value of Edmonson Point is also considered exceptional for studies on the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. Its location at approximately the mid‑point in a north‑south latitudinal gradient extending along Victoria Land is complementary to other sites protected for their important terrestrial ecological values, such as Cape Hallett (ASPA No. 106) and Botany Bay, Cape Geology (ASPA No. 154), which are about 300 km to the north and south respectively. This geographical position is recognised as important in a continent‑wide ecological research network (eg the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research ‘RiSCC’ programme). In addition, the lakes are among the best in northern Victoria Land for studies of biogeochemical processes with short‑ and long‑term variations. Together with the unique properties of the permafrost active layer, which is unusually thick in this location, these features are considered particularly useful as sensitive indicators of ecological change in response to levels of UV radiation and in shifting climate.
A colony of approximately 2 000 pairs of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) has been a focus of ongoing research since 1994–95, together with a colony of approximately 120 pairs of South Polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki). The Edmonson Point Adélie penguin colony is included in the ecosystem monitoring network of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The site is considered a good example of this species assemblage, which is representative of those found elsewhere. It is unusual, however, for the diverse range of breeding habitat available for South Polar skuas, and also because of the unusually high skua to penguin ratio (1:20). The geographical position, the size of the colonies, the terrain and habitat features of the site, the natural protection given by the summer fast ice extension and the distance from Mario Zucchelli Station at Terra Nova Bay (which isolates the colony from research station disturbance but allows for logistic support) make Edmonson Point particularly suitable for the research being undertaken on these birds. The research contributes to the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP), focusing on population monitoring, reproductive success, feeding and foraging strategies, migration, and behaviour. This research is important to broader studies of how natural and human‑induced variations in the Antarctic ecosystem may affect the breeding success of Adélie penguins, and to understand the potential impact of harvesting of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba).
The near‑shore marine environment is a good and representative example of the sea‑ice habitat used by breeding Weddell seals to give birth and wean pups early in the summer season. Only one other ASPA in the Ross Sea region has been designated to protect Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli) (ASPA No. 137, north‑west White Island, McMurdo Sound), but that site was designated because the small breeding group of seals in that locality is highly unusual; in contrast, inclusion here is as a representative example similar to breeding sites throughout the region.
In addition to the outstanding biological values, a diversity of geomorphic features is present, including a series of ice‑cored moraines incorporating marine deposits, raised beaches, patterned ground, a cuspate foreland, and fossil penguin colonies. The cuspate foreland at Edmonson Point is a rare feature in Victoria Land, and is one of the best examples of its kind. It is unusual in that it is not occupied by a breeding colony of penguins, as is the case at Cape Hallett and Cape Adare. The glacial moraines that incorporate marine deposits, including seal bones and shells of the bivalves Laternula elliptica and Adamussium colbecki, are particularly valuable for dating regional glacier fluctuations. Sedimentary sequences in the north‑west of Edmonson Point contain fossils from former penguin colonies. These are useful for dating the persistence of bird breeding at the site, which contributes to reconstructions of Holocene glacial phases and palaeo‑climate.
The wide representation and the quality of phenomena at Edmonson Point have attracted interest from a variety of disciplines, and research has been carried out at the site for more than 20 years. Over this period, substantial scientific databases have been established, which adds to the value of Edmonson Point for current, ongoing and future research. It is important that pressures from human activities in the Area are managed so that the investments made in these long‑term data sets are not inadvertently compromised. These factors also make the site of exceptional scientific value for multi‑disciplinary studies.
Given the duration and range of past activities, Edmonson Point cannot be considered pristine. Some environmental impacts have been observed, such as occasional damage to soils and moss communities by trampling, dispersal of materials from scientific equipment by wind, and alteration of habitat by construction of facilities. In contrast, the ice‑free area at Colline Ippolito (Ippolito Hills) (1.67 km²) approximately 1.5 km to the north‑west, has received relatively little visitation and human disturbance at this site is believed to be minimal. As such, Colline Ippolito is considered particularly valuable as a potential reference area for comparative studies to the main Edmonson Point, and it is important that this potential scientific value is maintained. While the precise effects of scientific research and human presence at both sites are uncertain, because detailed studies on human impact have not yet been undertaken, contaminants in the local marine ecosystem remain very low and human impacts on the ecosystem as a whole, particularly at Colline Ippolito, are considered to be generally minor.
The biological and scientific values at Edmonson Point and Colline Ippolito are vulnerable to human disturbance. The vegetation, water‑saturated soils and freshwater environments are susceptible to damage from trampling, sampling and pollution. Scientific studies could be compromised by disturbance to phenomena or to installed equipment. It is important that human activities are managed so that the risks of impacts on the outstanding values of the Area are minimised.
The total Area of 5.49 km² comprises the ice‑free area of Edmonson Point (1.79 km²), the smaller but similar ice‑free area at Colline Ippolito (1.12 km²) approximately 1.5 km to its north which is designated a Restricted Zone, and the adjacent marine environment (2.58 km²) extending 200 m offshore from Edmonson Point and Colline Ippolito and including Baia Siena (Siena Bay).
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Part 66—Antarctic specially protected area No. 166
1 Name and Location
Port‑Martin, Terre Adélie.
Latitude 66° 49 S, longitude 141° 23 E.
2 Description
Originally, the historical site of Port‑Martin was designated as Historical Monument No. 46, proposed by France, in Recommendation XIII‑16 (Brussels, 1985).
The building of a base in Terre Adélie was programmed as Expedition TA21’s main task. This expedition left Brest (France) in November 1948 and reached the pack ice on 11 February 1949. Due to unfavourable ice conditions, it was unable to come ashore.
A new expedition, named TA3, succeeded on 18 January 1950 and on 20 January the final site was selected for the construction of the new base. The site took the name of Port‑Martin as a tribute to J A. Martin, a member of the expedition who died on board. A team of 11 men, under the leadership of André‑Franck Liotard, raised the main building—a pre‑cut wood frame, with oblique relieving posts—and then built several annexes to house mainly scientific activities (magnetism, geodesy, ionospheric sounding, atmospheric optics, biology, etc) as well as meteorology. Radio transmission antennae and wind machine towers were raised in the open spaces in between these buildings, along with an emergency shelter.
On 6 January 1951, the 17 members of the TA4 relief crew, under the leadership of Michel Barré, came ashore. They enlarged the main building while continuing and developing scientific activities.
Relief team TA5, under the command of René Garcia, reached Port‑Martin on 14 January 1952, while a reduced crew, led by Mario Marret (four men in total), were building a secondary base on Petrel Island (Pointe Geologie Archipelago).
During the night of 23–24 January 1952, the main building at the Port‑Martin base was destroyed by fire. The supply boat, which was still nearby, was able to evacuate the men, three of whom joined the original four who were dropped off at Pointe Geologie where they joined Mario Marret’s team. During that wintering season, the seven men of this rebuilt team carried out a raid on Port‑Martin to recover various supplies—including the two Weasels (caterpillar tractors)—which had been left there.
Since then, only limited visits of at most a few hours were made to this base, which is presumed to have been left as it was.
Today, what remains in Port‑Martin are the ancillary buildings, including the shelter, a weather shelter and the coal and supply sheds. With snow covering the remains of the main station year‑round, it is difficult to say precisely what was left after the fire. An archaeological mission needs to be sent there to inventory what remains of the buildings and the furniture they contained. But the ancillary buildings, witnesses to the organisation of a spatial base in Antarctica in the beginning of the 1950s, by themselves justify special protection.
In fact, Port‑Martin is the perfect illustration of a base in Antarctica in the immediate post‑war period, and its creation corresponds to the project of an International Geophysics Year. Yet, while it kept dog‑sled transport from the ‘Heroic Era’, it borrowed Weasels from the Mechanisation Era. Its goals, however, were resolutely part of the Scientific Era since, in spite of its brief actual operation, some progress in the study of earth sciences, weather and ionosphere are associated with it. As such, the site has a historical and cultural importance.
The short duration of its operation left a ‘snapshot’ of this history. No change—except for some superficial pillage—has altered its original implantations.
Furthermore, for future archaeology, the site represents an optimal site to design methods and techniques adapted to extreme archaeological investigation conditions. The site is partially covered in a snow that needs to be considered, conceptually, as a specific type of sediment. From the Port‑Martin deposit, archaeologists should be able to promote new concepts as well as a methodology adapted to it. These could be used for future archaeological study of other sites in Antarctica.
Therefore, Port‑Martin must be considered not only as a historical bridge site, but also as an original archaeological field, the exploitation and evaluation of which will require the design of specific, exemplary techniques, a new, privileged area for international cooperation in the spirit of the Treaty.
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Part 67—Antarctic specially protected area No. 167
1 Name and location
Hawker Island, Vestfold Hills, Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 68° 35 S, longitude 77° 50 E.
2 Description
Hawker Island, lying some 300 m off the Antarctic mainland, is located 7 km south‑west from the Australian Davis station in the Vestfold Hills on the Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica at 68° 35 S, 77° 50 E (Map A). The island supports a breeding colony of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) which is the southernmost colony of the species on continental Antarctica. The island also supports a colony of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and a limited number of flying birds (Map B).
The southern giant petrel colony was discovered in December 1963, and at that time there were 40‑50 nests present, ‘some with eggs’. Seventeen population counts were undertaken between 1963 and 1999. A maximum of 90 nests with eggs was recorded in 1970–71. The recorded number of nests with eggs had decreased to 10 in 1983, but the 2 most recent surveys, conducted in 1987 and 1999, recorded 21 and 25 respectively.
Hawker Island is one of only four known breeding locations for southern giant petrels on the coast of continental Antarctica. The other locations have all been designated as Antarctic specially protected areas: ASPA No. 102, Rookery Islands, Holme Bay, Mac.Robertson Land (67º 36 S, 62º 53 E)—near Mawson Station; ASPA No. 160, Frazier Islands, Wilkes Land (66° 13 S, 110° 11 E)—near Casey station; and ASPA No. 120, Pointe‑Geologie, Terre Adélie (66º 40 S, 140º 01 E)—near Dumont d’Urville. Southern giant petrels on the Antarctic continent comprise less than 1% of the global breeding population. The current population for continental Antarctica is estimated at approximately 290 pairs, comprised of 25 pairs on Hawker Island, 3 pairs on Giganteus Island (part of the Rookery Islands group), 248 pairs on the Frazier Islands and 16 pairs at Pointe‑Geologie.
Southern giant petrels also breed on islands in the southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans and in the Antarctic Peninsula.
As indicated above, the breeding population of southern giant petrels at Hawker Island decreased following its discovery in the early 1960s by personnel from nearby Davis Station. Human disturbance has been implicated in the observed decreases at all four southern giant petrel breeding sites on continental Antarctica. The disturbance to colonies near the Australian stations arose primarily through early efforts (1950s–1970s) to band adults and chicks at the nest. The population decrease at Pointe‑Geologie has been attributed to station construction at Dumont d’Urville Station.
Southern giant petrels breeding in East Antarctica are particularly sensitive to disturbance at the nest. Restrictions in activities permitted at breeding sites, including a prohibition of banding, were introduced in the mid 1980s. While the population at Hawker Island has not recovered to the same extent as that on the Frazier Islands, it is showing signs of long‑term recovery.
Reductions in breeding populations of southern giant petrels at other locations in the Antarctic and subantarctic have been attributed to activities associated with research stations. The bycatch of southern giant petrels in longline fisheries operating in the Southern Ocean is also likely to have contributed to observed population decreases. Decreases in breeding populations of southern giant petrels have also been observed at sites where human disturbance has been minimal, such as Heard Island.
The global breeding population of southern giant petrels is estimated at around 31 300 pairs, and is inferred to be declining at a rate of 20‑50% over the past three generations. A total of 30 populations contain 500 or fewer breeding pairs, and at 15 of these sites there are 50 or fewer breeding pairs. It is believed that the global decrease in population is primarily due to fatal interactions with longline fisheries, although the species is also sensitive to other forms of human‑induced disturbance such as scientific research and visitor activities, ship movements and overflights. The species is listed as Vulnerable under IUCN criteria and has conservation status under a number of international agreements.
The overall decrease in the Hawker Island population of southern giant petrels since its discovery is consistent with global trends and suggests that continued and formalised protection of the colony is warranted. Long‑term protection and monitoring of the colony at Hawker Island will contribute to the development of appropriate regional and global conservation strategies for the species and will provide information for comparisons with populations elsewhere.
The designation of Hawker Island as an Antarctic specially protected area completes a suite of protected areas that safeguard all known southern giant petrel breeding locations in East Antarctica.
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Part 68—Antarctic specially protected area No. 168
1 Name and location
Mount Harding, Grove Mountains, East Antarctica.
Latitude 72º 512 S to 72 572 S, longitude 74 532 E to 75 122 E.
2 Description
The Grove Mountains are located approximately 400 km inland (south) of the Larsemann Hills in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, on the eastern bank of the Lambert Rift. Mount Harding is the largest mount around the Grove Mountains region, and is located in the core area of the Grove Mountains that presents a ridge‑valley physiognomies consisting of nunataks, trending north‑north‑east to south‑south‑west. Mount Harding is 200 m above the surface of blue ice.
The ASPA is irregular, and approximately rectangular in shape, with a width of about 10 km from east to west, a length of about 12 km from south to north and a total area of about 120 km2.
The ASPA boundary was defined to ensure that the unique geomorphological features, formed in ice sheet advance and retreat in Mount Harding, can be specially protected as a whole.
The ASPA includes the open blue ice zone from the moraine on the west side of Mount Harding to the east side of the Zakharoff Ridge as well as a number of nunataks, detritus zones and moraines within it.
The western boundary of the area is the moraine on the west side of Mount Harding, with its northern end turning eastward to the open blue ice detritus zone on the east side of the Zakharoff Ridge via the north flank of the northern ridge of Mount Harding and the northern end of the Zakharoff Ridge, turning southwards to the northern end of Davey Nunataks, and then heading westwards to the southern end of the Xi Lake moraine to close the whole area.
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Part 69—Antarctic specially protected area No. 169
1 Name and location
Amanda Bay, Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica.
Latitude 69º 15 00S, longitude 76 49 59.9 E.
2 Description
Amanda Bay lies south‑west of the Brattstrand Cliffs, between the Vestfold Hills to the north‑east and the Larsemann Hills to the south‑west on the Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Amanda Bay is approximately 3 km wide and 6 km long, and opens
north‑west into Prydz Bay. The south‑west side of the bay is flanked by the Flatnes Ice Tongue secured by Cowell Island at its western corner. The southern and eastern sides are bounded by continental ice cliffs. There are small islets towards the centre of the bay and several unnamed islands a few kilometres offshore.
The ASPA comprises the rocks, islands and water, including fast ice, lying within an irregular area, covering the general area of Amanda Bay, commencing at a point to the north‑east of Hovde Island at the terminus of the Hovde Glacier, 76° 53 54.48 E, 69° 13 25.77 S; then south along the coastline at the base of the Hovde Glacier ice cliffs, to a point at 76° 53 44.17 E, 69° 16 22.72 S; then west along the coastline at the base of a series of ice‑free bluffs to a point 76° 49 37.47 E, 69° 16 58.48 S; then north along the base of the Flatnes Ice Tongue ice cliffs, to a point at the terminus of the Flatnes Ice Tongue, 76° 46 41.07 E, 69° 14 44.37 S; then a straight line in a north‑easterly direction connecting with the originating point at 76° 53 54.48 E, 69° 13 25.77 S.
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Part 70—Antarctic specially protected area No. 170
1 Name and location
Marion Nunataks, Charcot Island, Antarctic Peninsula.
Latitude 69°45′S, longitude 75°15′W.
2 Description
Charcot Island is roughly circular in shape, approximately 50 km across and is separated from northwest Alexander Island (approximately 100 km away) by Wilkins Sound to the east and Attenborough Strait to the south.
The boundary of the Area is as follows:
(a) starting at the most north‑easterly corner of the Area, on the northern coast of Charcot Island, at 69°43′07″S, 75°00′00″W, it follows the coastline west to the point on the coast at 69°48′00″S, 75°19′19″W;
(b) then east inland to a point on the Charcot Island ice cap at 69°48′00″S, 75°00′00″W;
(c) then north to the coast at 69°43′07″S, 75°00′00″W.
The Area also includes Cheeseman Island, located at 69°43′24″S, 75°11′00″W.
There are no boundary markers demarcating the Area. The maximum dimensions of the Area are 9.2 km north to south and 17.0 km east to west (106.5 km2). The Area includes ice cap that extends at least 4 km to the south and east of Marion Nunataks, which is intended to act as a buffer zone to prevent accidental importation of species not native to the Area.
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Part 71—Antarctic specially protected area No. 171
1 Name and location
Narębski Point, Barton Peninsula, King George Island.
Latitude 62º 13 40 S to 62 14 23 S, longitude 58 45 25 W to 58 47 00 W.
2 Description
Narębski Point is located on the south‑east coast of Barton Peninsula, King George Island. The ASPA is easily distinguished by mountain peaks on the north and the east boundaries and coastline on the southwest boundary. The south‑west boundary can be easily recognised due to its distinguished geomorphology. The ASPA includes only the terrestrial area, excluding the intertidal zone. The total size of the ASPA is approximately 1 km2.
There are no structures within the ASPA. A refuge facility is located about 100 m away from the ASPA toward the south‑eastern coast.
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Part 73—Antarctic specially protected area No. 173
1 Name and location
Cape Washington and Silverfish Bay, Northern Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea.
Latitude 74°37.1′S, longitude 164°57.6′E.
2 Description
Cape Washington is located in northern Terra Nova Bay, 40 km east of Mario Zucchelli Station (Italy). The Area is 286 km2, of which the marine component is 279.5 km2 (98%) and the terrestrial component is 6.5 km2 (2%).
The boundary of the Area is as follows:
(a) starting at the north‑eastern corner at 74°37′S, 165°27′E, on the eastern coast of the Cape Washington peninsula, it extends due south for approximately 5.6 km to 74°40′S, 165°27′E;
(b) then due west across Closs Bay on the 74°40′S line of latitude for approximately 26.8 km to the Campbell Glacier Tongue;
(c) then following the eastern margin of the Campbell Glacier Tongue for approximately 11.2 km north to the coast at Shield Nunatak;
(d) then following the coastline east, around the Vacchi Piedmont Glacier, to the western coast of the Cape Washington peninsula, approximately 23 km in a straight line from Shield Nunatak;
(e) then following the coastline south for approximately 7.5 km towards the first prominent rock outcrop at 74°37.03′S on the western coast of the Cape Washington peninsula;
(f) then east from the coast along the 74°37′S line of latitude for approximately 2.8 km to the north‑eastern corner boundary point located on the eastern coast of the Cape Washington peninsula.
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Part 74—Antarctic specially protected area No. 174
1 Name and location
Stornes, Larsemann Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land.
Latitude 69°25′S, longitude 76°6′E.
2 Description
Stornes lies within the Larsemann Hills, a coastal ice‑free area in southern Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. Stornes is located between Thala Fjord and Wilcock Bay and is 21.13 km2 in area. The Area comprises the majority of Stornes, plus small unnamed promontories to the southwest. The Area does not have a marine component.
The Area boundary comprises the coastline (following the low tide mark) between a point on the western side of Thala Fjord at 69°25′29″S, 76°8′29″E (boundary point 1) to a point to the south of McCarthy Point at 69°28′40″S, 76°3′22″E (boundary point 25), then northeast following the coast line at the low tide mark back to boundary point 1. The remainder of the boundary largely follows the southern limit of rock outcrops between those boundary points. An indentation from the coast on the eastern side of the peninsula accommodates the potential need for vehicle landings and access to the inland and Broknes when ice conditions do not allow the use of preferred landings and routes elsewhere in the Larsemann Hills.
In the table, the item number is the same as the boundary coordinate number.
Part 75—Antarctic specially protected area No. 175
1 Name and location
High Altitude Geothermal Sites of the Ross Sea Region (including parts of the summits of Mount Erebus, Ross Island and Mount Melbourne and Mount Rittmann), northern Victoria Land.
2 Description
The Area comprises 3 high altitude geothermal sites, Tramway Ridge on the summit of Mount Erebus (7731′S, 16706′E), 3 locations of geothermal activity on the summit of Mount Melbourne (7421′S, 16442′E), and the summit of Mount Rittmann (7328′S, 16537′E).
Tramway Ridge, Mount Erebus
Tramway Ridge is a ridge that rises to approximately 3 450 m above sea level on the north‑western slope of the main crater of Mount Erebus. The site is located along this ridge approximately 1.5 km from the main crater.
The boundary of the site comprises a rectangle of 200 m by 200.8 m which encompasses most of the geothermally heated ground of lower Tramway Ridge. The boundary is as follows:
(a) starting at the north‑western boundary corner at 7731′01.853″S, 16706′21.251″E (Point A), it extends south to the south‑western boundary corner at 7731′08.327″S, 16706′20.686″E (Point E);
(b) then east to the south‑eastern boundary corner at 7731′08.448″S, 16706′50.521″E (Point D);
(c) then north to the north‑eastern boundary corner at 7731′01.976″S, 16706′51.074″E (Point B);
(d) then back to Point A.
Mount Melbourne
Mount Melbourne is a stratovolcano located in northern Victoria Land, between Wood Bay and Terra Nova Bay, on the western side of the Ross Sea, and approximately 10 km east of Campbell Glacier.
The site consists of 3 separate locations, 2 on the main summit crater and a third on the north‑western slope of the mountain. On the south‑eastern rim of the main summit crater of Mount Melbourne, there are 2 adjacent designated locations.
The first location (Cryptogam Ridge) is a distinct crescent shaped ridge and consists of areas of snow‑covered unheated ground, snow‑free geothermally‑heated ground and ice‑hummocks covering steam emissions that extends approximately 40 m in all directions from the ridge line.
The boundary (see Map A2) is as follows:
(a) starting at the north‑western boundary corner at 74°21′20.389″S, 16441′31.652″E (Point 1A), it extends south approximately 50 m to the south‑western boundary corner at 7421′22.096″S, 16441′32.551″E (Point 1N);
(b) then east following the crescent shape of Cryptogam Ridge to the following unmarked points:
(i) 7421′21.383″S, 16441′38.254″E (Point 1M);
(ii) 7421′20.840″S, 16441′45.230″E (Point 1L);
(iii) 7421′21.220″S, 16441′49.934″E (Point 1K);
(iv) 7421′21.815″S, 16441′54.574″E (Point 1J);
(v) 7421′22.588″S, 16441′58.044″E (Point 1I);
(c) then to the south‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′24.103″S, 16442′00.579″E (Point 1H);
(d) then north to the north‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′23.355″S, 16442′07.010″E (Point 1G);
(e) then west following the crescent shape of Cryptogam Ridge to the following unmarked points:
(i) 7421′21.523″S, 16442′03.989″E (Point 1F);
(ii) 7421′20.117″S, 16441′57.869″E (Point 1E);
(iii) 7421′19.307″S, 16441′51.137″E (Point 1D);
(iv) 7421′19.153″S, 16441′45.329″E (Point 1C);
(v) 7421′19.650″S, 16441′37.695″E (Point 1B);
(f) then back to Point 1A.
Both the northern and southern boundaries are located below the ice‑free ridge.
The second location (Geothermal Slope) on the south‑eastern rim of the main summit crater of Mount Melbourne is adjacent to Cryptogam Ridge on a slope leading up the eastern rim of the summit crater. Geothermal activity is evident on the hill slope as crevasses and ice towers extending up the steep caldera rim, approximately 50 m wide.
The boundary is as follows:
(a) starting at the north‑western boundary corner at 7421′13.740″S, 16442′01.816″E (Point 2A), it extends south approximately 50 m to the south‑western boundary corner at 7421′15.620″S, 16442′03.474″E (Point 2D);
(b) then east up the slope to the south‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′14.567″S, 16442′12.729″E (Point 2C);
(c) then north to the north‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′12.865″S, 16442′08.972″E (Point 2B);
(d) then back to Point 2A.
The third location (Northwest Slope) is on the north‑western slopes of the volcano approximately 1.5 km northwest of Cryptogam Ridge. Geothermal activity is evident as a northwest to southeast trending line of ice towers and small patches of bare ground along the edge of a steep cliff. The boundaries for the location were not surveyed in the field but obtained via inference from satellite imagery.
The boundary is as follows:
(a) starting at the north‑western boundary corner at 7421′00″S, 16439′02″E (Point 3A), it extends south downslope to the south‑western boundary corner at 7421′11″S, 16439′02″E (Point 3D);
(b) then east to the south‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′11″S, 16442′05″E (Point 3C);
(c) then north upslope to the north‑eastern boundary corner at 7421′00″S, 16440′05″E (Point 3B);
(d) then back to Point 3A.
Mount Rittmann
Mount Rittmann is located in the Mountaineer Range on the southern side of the Aviator Glacier, between the Pilot Glacier and the head of the Icebreaker Glacier in northern Victoria Land. It rises to 2 600 m above sea level, is approximately 103 km north of Mount Melbourne and approximately 50 km inland from the coast.
The site comprises the entire exposed caldera of Mount Rittmann.
The boundary is as follows:
(a) starting at the most westerly boundary corner at the western edge of the caldera rim at 7328′18.797″S, 16536′43.851″E (Point A), it follows the caldera rim east to the following unmarked points:
(i) 7328′16.818″S, 16536′54.698″E (Point B);
(ii) 7328′16.290″S, 16537′00.144″E (Point C);
(iii) 7328′16.405″S, 16537′04.438″E (Point D);
(iv) 7328′17.655″S, 16537′12.235″E (Point E);
(v) 7328′18.024″S, 16537′14.468″E (Point F);
(vi) 7328′19.823″S, 16537′16.943″E (Point G);
(vii) 7328′20.628″S, 16537′20.089″E (Point H);
(viii) 7328′21.530″S, 16537′21.567″E (Point I);
(b) then to the most easterly boundary corner at 7328′22.015″S, 16537′23.817″E (Point J);
(c) then south downslope to the south‑eastern boundary corner at 7328′23.436″S, 16537′20.540″E (Point K);
(d) then following the bottom of the steep slope below the caldera rim and ice‑free areas to the following unmarked points:
(i) 7328′22.414″S, 16537′17.302″E (Point L);
(ii) 7328′20.945″S, 16537′13.936″E (Point M);
(iii) 7328′19.430″S, 16537′08.865″E (Point N);
(iv) 7328′18.558″S, 16537′03.457″E (Point O);
(v) 7328′18.722″S, 16537′56.296″E (Point P);
(vi) 7328′19.778″S, 16536′50.065″E (Point Q);
(e) then upslope to Point A.
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Schedule 2—Antarctic specially managed areas
(section 5)
Part 1—Antarctic specially managed area No. 1
1 Name and Location
Admiralty Bay, King George Island.
Latitude 62º 01 21 S—62º 14 09 S, longitude 58º 15 05 W—58º 41 02 W.
2 Description
Admiralty Bay has basic physiographic and aesthetic values as one of the most typical examples of bay/fjord settings in the South Shetland Islands. The ice‑free areas within Admiralty Bay are formed by recent and raised pebble‑cobble beaches, recent and sub‑recent moraines, mountainous peninsulas, rocky islets, spurs and nunataks. The terrain is heavily shaped by glacial, nival and coastal marine processes. These, together with the geological features of the area, add to the great scenic beauty of the landscape.
The area of Admiralty Bay is representative of the terrestrial, limnic, coastal, near‑shore, pelagic, and fjord‑bottom ecosystem of King George Island.
Flora is mostly represented by mosses, lichen and fungi formations. Twenty‑four species of birds and 6 species of pinnipeds have been registered for the Area, but only 13 species of birds and 3 species of pinnipeds actually breed within the Area.
The marine ecosystem of the bay largely reflects the general environmental conditions prevailing in the South Shetland Islands. However, there is a unique site, Napier Rock, at the entrance of the bay, where a rich and highly diverse benthic invertebrate fauna is found. Fish are represented by 15 species of Nototheniidae.
Diverse and continuous scientific activities have been undertaken in the Area for almost 30 years supported by the Polish Henryk Arctowski Station, by the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz Station and by the US Antarctic Program at ASPA No. 128 Western Shore of Admiralty Bay. Research activities at the Peruvian Machu Picchu Station (at Crepin Point) and at the Ecuadorian refuge (at Hennequin Point) have occurred intermittently during the summer.
Many features of Admiralty Bay are of considerable scientific interest. The main themes of field and laboratory research at the Polish and Brazilian stations have been marine and terrestrial biology, including physiology and adaptation of Antarctic fish and krill; taxonomy and ecology of the benthic fauna; vascular plants; mosses and lichens; terrestrial and marine ecology; migration and dispersion of birds. A long‑term research project on the biology and dynamics of bird populations (mainly Pygoscelid penguins) has been carried out by the US Antarctic Program since 1976. This study is of relevance for the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP). Other studies include geology and palaeontology, glaciology and palaeoclimatology of the King George Island ice cap, and glacio‑marine sedimentation in Admiralty Bay. A year‑round seismic and Earth‑magnetism observatory, established at Arctowski Station in 1978, is the only station of its kind in the South Shetland Islands. Studies on atmospheric chemistry, geomagnetism, the ionosphere and astrophysics have been conducted at Ferraz Station since 1984. A meteorological station has been operational at Arctowski since 1977 and at Ferraz Station since 1984 to provide basic data and to support logistic operations. Research on upper atmosphere winds is being developed at Machu Picchu Station using MST radar.
Both Arctowski and Ferraz stations have hosted many foreign scientists (Argentineans, Belgians, Chileans, Germans, former Soviets and Russians, Netherlands, New Zealanders, Americans, Uruguayans and others). There is a strong tradition of cooperation between Polish and Brazilian scientists in matters related to Admiralty Bay and the South Shetland Islands as a whole.
A comprehensive study of the state of the environment in the Area is under way at Ferraz Station, comprising the analysis of a series of biotic and abiotic parameters. Results will serve as a baseline for future monitoring of activities and for implementation of a strategy for environmental management of the ASMA.
Sheltered deep harbours and accessible beaches ensured an early start to activities in Admiralty Bay. The bay offered protection for ships in the area during the sealing and whaling periods in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and ruins of installations related to the latter period still exist. Whale bones cover the beaches and are part of the landscape, remaining as heritage of this period.
The Area was visited by the second French Antarctic Expedition, Pourquoi Pas?, under Dr J B Charcot (1908–10), and by D Ferguson (1913–14), a geologist who took part in a British whaling expedition. Reports on minerals and rocks collected during these expeditions, published between 1910 and 1921, are among the first earth‑science publications on Admiralty Bay and the South Shetland Islands as a whole. The famous British Discovery voyages of 1934 and 1937 collected more rocks, as well as plants and animals from the Area. Results published from 1948 to 1964 constituted a substantial contribution to knowledge of the geology of Admiralty Bay. Argentina established a refuge hut at Keller Peninsula in 1948 (since dismantled) and the work of Argentinean geologists in Admiralty Bay in 1953 concentrated on fossil plants of the Tertiary age.
During the International Geophysical Year (1957–58), the UK Base ‘G’, on Keller Peninsula, Admiralty Bay (opened in 1947 and closed in 1961), later dismantled, was the centre of meteorological observations and glaciological and geological research.
Establishment of the Polish Arctowski Station in 1977 at Thomas Point, of the Brazilian Ferraz Station at Keller Peninsula in 1984, and of the Peruvian Machu Picchu Station at Crepin Point in 1989 has provided a sound basis for permanent research in Biological, Earth and Atmospheric sciences, which continues up to now. Ornithological research by US biologists began in 1976, with the establishment of Copacabana Station (unofficially called Pietr J. Lenie) covering the entire western side of Admiralty Bay, from Italian Valley (in Ezcurra Inlet) to Patelnia Point. Since 1985, ornithological research has also been occasionally undertaken at Keller Peninsula by Brazilian biologists.
Sites of ecological interest and scientific installations in the Area are frequently visited by tourists and participants in non‑governmental expeditions. These tourists and participants now have an opportunity to become familiar with the Antarctic environment and activities conducted there.
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Figure 2: Admiralty Bay Antarctic specially managed area—ASMA No. 1
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Part 2—Antarctic specially managed area No. 2
1 Name and location
McMurdo Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land.
162°30′S, 162°00′E.
2 Description
The McMurdo Dry Valleys are located in southern Victoria Land along the western coast of McMurdo Sound, southern Ross Sea, at approximately 77°30′S, 162°00′E. An area of approximately 17,500 km2 is designated as an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (hereafter referred to as the “Area”) to manage human activities in the region for the protection of scientific, environmental, ecological, historic, aesthetic and wilderness values.
From the northeastern extremity of Tripp Island (76°38.09′S, 162°42.90′E) the boundary extends southward following the coastline at the mean low tide level to DeMaster Point (situated east of Marshall Valley at 78°04.20′S, 164°25.43′E), a distance of approximately 170 km. The boundary thence follows the northwestern margin of the Koettlitz Glacier in a southwesterly direction for approximately 25 km to Walcott Bay and Trough Lake, including within the Area all of the streams and lakes along the glacier margin. The boundary thence follows the approximate southern grounding line of the Koettlitz Glacier margin in Walcott Bay, extending east towards The Bulwark and encompassing all of Trough Lake. The boundary thence continues east following Bulwark Stream for approximately 1.5 km to the northern extremity of The Bulwark. The boundary thence extends 3 km in a straight line northeast to the northwestern coastline of Heald Island, following around the northern coastline to the eastern extremity of the island at 78°15.00′S, 163°57.80′E.
The boundary extends from Heald Island approximately 14.8 km southwest to the summit of The Pyramid (854 m) (78°20.64′S, 163°29.95′E). The boundary thence continues southwest approximately 13.3 km to the foot of Highway Ridge (78°23.97′S, 162°58.57′E), from where it follows up the ridgeline in a northwesterly direction approximately 3.8 km to the summit of Shark Fin (2242 m) (78°22.11′S, 162°54.66′E). The boundary extends from Shark Fin northwest approximately 6.7 km to the summit of Mount Kempe (3004 m) (78°19.35′S, 162°43.18′E). The boundary continues northwest in a straight line from the summit of Mount Kempe approximately 83 km to the summit of Mount Wisneski (2320 m) (77°57.65′S, 159°33.73′E), which is the most southerly peak of the Lashley Mountains.
From Mount Wisneski, the boundary extends northwards for approximately 8.7 km to Mount Crean (2550 m) (77°53.00′S, 159°30.66′E), the highest peak in the Lashley Mountains. The boundary continues 5.6 km northward to the summit of Mount Koger (2450 m) (77°50.05′S, 159°33.09′E), the most northerly peak in the Lashley Mountains.
The boundary thence extends northeast approximately 15.3 km to Depot Nunatak (1980 m) (77°44.88′S, 160°03.19′E), and thence northwest approximately 19.6 km to the western extremity of the ice‑free ground at Horseshoe Mountain (77°34.52′S, 159°53.72′E). The boundary continues north approximately 40 km to the summit of Mount DeWitt (2190 m) (77°13.05′S, 159°50.30′E), thence extends northwest approximately 38.4 km to the summit of Carapace Nunatak (2321 m) (76°53.31′S, 159°23.76′E), and continues a further 39 km north to the summit of Battlements Nunatak (2128 m) (76°32.27′S, 159°21.41′E).
The boundary extends east from Battlements Nunatak approximately 51 km to the summit of Mount Douglas (1750 m) (76°31.25′S, 161°18.64′E), and thence approximately 18 km in a southeasterly direction to the summit of Mount Endeavour (1870 m) (76°32.49′S, 161°59.97′E). The boundary extends southeast from Mount Endeavour approximately 21.3 km to the northeastern extremity of Tripp Island.
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Part 4—Antarctic specially managed area No. 4
1 Name and location
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.
Latitude 62°57′S, longitude 60°38′W.
2 Description
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, is located in the Bransfield Strait at the southern end of the South Shetland Islands, off the north‑western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula (Figures 1 and 2). The boundary of the Area comprises the outer coastline of the island above the low tide water level. It includes the waters and seabed of Port Foster to the north of a line drawn across Neptunes Bellows between Entrance Point and Cathedral Crags. No boundary markers are required for the Area, as the coast is clearly defined and visually obvious.
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Part 5—Antarctic specially managed area No. 5
1 Name and location
Amundsen‑Scott South Pole Station, South Pole.
90º S.
2 Description
The Amundsen‑Scott South Pole Station (South Pole Station) is located on the polar plateau near the geographic South Pole, at 90° S. An area of approximately 26 400 km2 encompassing the station and long‑term research and monitoring sites is designated as an ASMA to manage human activities for the protection of scientific, environmental, and historical values.
The boundary of the ASMA comprises all structures and areas of current and planned research at South Pole Station and a buffer area for the Clean Air Sector (CAS). The boundary of the ASMA is a circle around South Pole Station with a radius of 20 km, and a wedge extending 150 km from the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) building (approximately 0.5 km from the 2005 Geographic South Pole), bounded by 110° and 340° (grid) from the ARO building. The point of origin of the ASMA and sectors (other than the CAS) was designated as the circular aluminium tower staircase on the elevated station, as this is a readily recognizable feature on the maps and on the ground, and the elevated station is expected to be present in the ASMA longer than any other structure or landmark.
Due to the movement of the ice sheet in the area, the geographic location of the ASMA will move approximately 10 m per year; the area is centred on the elevated South Pole Station, and all sectors are relative to this location.
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Part 6—Antarctic specially managed area No. 6
1 Name and location
Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica.
Latitude 69º 30 S, longitude 76 19 58 E.
2 Description
The Larsemann Hills is an ice‑free area of 40 km2, located approximately halfway between the Vestfold Hills and the Amery Ice Shelf on the south‑eastern coast of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. The ice‑free area consists of two major peninsulas (Stornes and Broknes), four minor peninsulas, and approximately 130 near shore islands. The eastern‑most peninsula, Broknes, is further divided into western and eastern components by Nella Fjord. The closest significant ice‑free areas are the Bølingen Islands (69º 31 58 S, 75 42 E) 25 km to the south‑west and the Rauer Islands (68 50 59 S, 77 49 58 E) 60 km to the north‑east.
The ASMA comprises the ice‑free area and near‑shore islands collectively known as the Larsemann Hills and the adjacent plateau. The ASMA includes the land beginning at the point of 69º 23 20 S, 76 31 0 E east of the southern tip of Dalkoy and running:
(a) north to 69º 22 20 S, 76 30 50 E, north of Dalkoy; and
(b) then north‑west to 69º 20 40 S, 76 21 30 E, north of Striped Island; and
(c) then north‑west to 69º 20 20 S, 76 14 20 E, north‑east of Betts Island; and
(d) then south‑west to 69º 20 40 S, 76 10 30 E, north‑west of Betts Island; and
(e) then south‑west to 69º 21 50 S, 76 2 10 E, north‑west of Osmar Island; and
(f) then south‑west to 69º 22 30 S, 75 58 30 E, west of Osmar Island; and
(g) then south‑west to 69º 24 40 S, 75 56 0 E, west of Mills Island; and
(h) then south‑east to 69º 26 40 S, 75 58 50 E, south of Xiangsi Dao; and
(i) then south‑east to 69º 28 10 S, 76 1 50 E, south‑west of McCarthy Point; and
(j) then south‑east to the coastline at 69º 28 40 S, 76 3 20 E; and
(k) then north‑east to 69º 27 32 S, 76 17 55 E, south of the Russian airstrip site; and
(l) then south‑east to 69º 25 10 S, 76 24 10 E, on the western side of the Dålk Glacier; and
(m) then north‑east to 69º 24 40 S, 76 30 20 E, on the eastern side of the Dålk Glacier; and
(n) then north‑east returning to 69º 23 20 S, 76 31 0 E.
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Part 7—Antarctic specially managed area No. 7
1 Name and location
South‑west Anvers Island and Palmer Basin.
Latitude 64º 50 S, longitude 54 30 W.
2 Description
The region that includes South‑west Anvers Island and the Palmer Basin and its fringing island groups has a wide range of important natural, scientific and educational values and is an area of considerable and increasing scientific, tourist and logistic activities.
The ASMA comprises an area of approximately 3 275 km2, including both terrestrial and marine components. For ease of navigation, the boundaries of the ASMA follow geographic features where practical and latitude and longitude lines in open ocean areas remote from prominent land features. The north‑eastern boundary of the ASMA is defined as a line extending parallel to, and approximately 1 km inland from, the South‑west Anvers Island coastline. This terrestrial boundary extends from a northerly location at 64° 33 00 S, 64° 06 03 W, approximately 3.1 km north of Gerlache Island, to 64° 51 21 S, 63° 42 36 W at Cape Lancaster in the south.
From Cape Lancaster, the eastern boundary is defined as the 63° 42 36 W line of longitude extending 7.9 km across Bismarck Strait to 64° 55 36 S on Wednesday Island, the most easterly of the Wauwermans Islands. The boundary then follows a general south‑westerly direction to 65° 08 33 S, 64° 14 22 W at the southern extremity of the Vedel Islands, following the eastern coastlines of the Wauwermans, Dannebrog and Vedel island groups. The southern boundary of the area is defined as the 65° 08 33 S line of latitude extending due west from 64° 14 22 W in the Vedel Islands to 65° 00 00 W.
The northern boundary is defined as the line of latitude extending from 64° 33 00 S, 64° 06 03 W to the coast (approximately 3.1 km north of Gerlache Island) and then due west to the 65° 00 00 W line of longitude. The western boundary of the Area is defined as the 65° 00 00 W line of longitude, extending between 64° 33 S in the north and 65° 08 33 S in the south.