Restrictions for Yachts in Antarctica
The following rules must be observed in order to comply with the Antarctic Treaty conservation provisions. The signatories to the Antarctic Protocol take a tough view on the need to implement its various provisions. In the case of the UK, the Antarctic Act 1994 provides for any offences to be punishable by a prison sentence or fine, or both.
- No killing or capturing of any wildlife (seals and birds) or collecting eggs.
- Minimal interference with plants, animals and soil. Visitors should keep their distance from wildlife, especially when breeding and not touch or disturb them. Nothing should be removed, including plants and rocks and historical evidence of human activity must be left undisturbed.
- There are some 50 Protected Areas in Antarctica, so designated because of the need to restrict human disturbance. They can only be visited with a permit issued under the authority of an Antarctic Treaty participating government. Applications should be made to one of the Antarctic national committees or institutes. The list of areas is subject to change and an up-to-date list should be consulted prior to one's visit.
- There are also unofficial restricted areas near the scientific bases and on the subantarctic islands; information on these should be requested from the bases. http://cep.ats.aq/cep/apa/index.html >
- No introduction of non-indigenous flora or fauna, diseases, parasites. No pets are allowed into the Treaty area. All garbage must be returned to the yacht. Biodegradable waste can be disposed of at sea as far off the coast as possible - larger vessels (more than 12 crew) must go 20 kilometres (12 miles) offshore.
- Entry into protected areas requires separate applications for permits and these would only be issued if there was an overriding benefit to scientific research.
The IAATO website provides General Guidelines for Visitors to the Antarctic.
