maybe they could open a prison there

[Guest guest]

and they don't really even go into all the wastes that just pile up

there...stuff left by everyone...

 

 

Tighter Antarctic Protection Measures on Hold

 

June 26, 2006 — By Ian MacKenzie, Reuters

EDINBURGH — Antarctic Treaty countries failed on Friday to agree on tighter

environmental measures to protect the continent amid a boom in tourism.

 

The growing number of tourists landing in Antarctica, mainly from cruise ships,

has raised fears over the impact it could have on the continent's fragile

ecology.

 

Another major issue is the size and type of vessels operating in dangerous

southern waters and the potential for an environmental and human disaster if a

large ship should sink in Antarctic seas.

 

Some delegates said there had been a lively debate during the annual 10-day

meeting of the treaty nations, but the United States and some other nations had

been unwilling to adopt new environmental measures without further study.

 

French diplomat Michel Trinquier, who chaired the tourism committee, told

Reuters at the end of the session the environmental issues had come up suddenly

without the usual documentation ahead of the 45-nation gathering.

 

He said however he expected the issues to be discussed at the next treaty

conference in New Delhi next year.

 

" In my opinion, it was not (lack of) political will, or because of interest or

because some delegates were against, but because they were not prepared, and

this (issue) is a new thing, " he said.

 

Tony Press, the outgoing head of the treaty's committee for environmental

protection, said the number of tourists visiting Antarctica had quadrupled to

32,000 over the past eight years.

 

Most tour companies are members of the U.S.-based International Association of

Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which enforces tight rules on its members in

conjunction with the treaty organisation.

 

Trinquier said there was concern, however, on how numbers of tourists -- and

indeed scientists -- could impact on the continent's fragile environment, and

also what control might be exerted over ships sailing under flags of convenience

of countries not signatories to the treaty.

 

A maritime disaster was also a major and growing fear.

 

" Imagine there is a wreck, a huge oil spill in Antarctica. And there is the

problem of search and rescue, because if you have 2,000 passengers on a vessel

and the vessel sinks, what will happen, who will come to rescue them? " Trinquier

said.

 

Some delegates expressed disappointment that the Edinburgh meeting had not

agreed on stricter measures. But they said the problem was at least out in the

open for discussion and future action.

 

Source: Reuters

 

 

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