Abstract
ABSTRACTThe effects of climate change are leading to pronounced physical and ecological changes in the Arctic Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). These are not only of concern for the research community but also for the tourism industry dependent on this unique marine ecosystem. Tourists increasingly become aware that the Arctic as we know it may disappear due to several environmental threats, and want to visit the region before it becomes irrevocably changed. However, ‘last-chance tourism’ in this region faces several challenges. The lack of infrastructure and appropriate search and rescue policies are examples of existing issues in such a remote location. Additionally, tourism itself may further amplify the physical and ecological changes in the Arctic region. In this article, we provide an interdisciplinary analysis of the links between the MIZ, climate change and the tourism industry. We also identify existing regulations and the need for new ones concerning operations in the MIZ and in the Arctic Ocean.
Highlights
In recent decades tourism has become a major human presence in the Arctic (Larsen & Fondahl, 2015), with seaborne tourism regarded as the fastest-growing segment of polar tourism (Bystrowska & Dawson, 2017; Dawson, Pizzolato, Howell, Copland, & Johnston, 2018; Johnston, Dawson, & Maher, 2017; Steinicke & Albrecht, 2012; Stonehouse & Snyder, 2010)
Cruise vessels tend to navigate in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ), where ice floes and icebergs are readily present, which according to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) can be considered one of the most dangerous navigational environments a ship may encounter (MEPC, 2015)
While existing frameworks are fundamental for maintaining the MIZ’s characteristics, we argue that they should be further developed in order to fill existing gaps in terms of protecting such characteristics, as well as cruise ships operating within the MIZ
Summary
In recent decades tourism has become a major human presence in the Arctic (Larsen & Fondahl, 2015), with seaborne tourism regarded as the fastest-growing segment of polar tourism (Bystrowska & Dawson, 2017; Dawson, Pizzolato, Howell, Copland, & Johnston, 2018; Johnston, Dawson, & Maher, 2017; Steinicke & Albrecht, 2012; Stonehouse & Snyder, 2010). The MIZ is facing rapid physical changes, many of which will have implications for important biological processes, leading to ecosystem-wide effects (Derocher, Lunn, & Stirling, 2004) These changing conditions have consequences for the safety and Search and Rescue (SAR) needs of tourism activities in the MIZ, which are essentially shipborne (Longrée & Hoog, 2014). Since 2001, the Arctic coastal states have submitted their respective, and sometimes overlapping, claims for extended continental shelves in line with article 76 in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (United Nations, 1982) This demonstrates the need for and importance of continued development and implementation of sustainable governance and regulatory frameworks for the Arctic region. This article aims to bridge the interdisciplinary gap connecting the field of tourism studies to the implications and challenges of climate change
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