Protection of the antarctic ecosystem: A study in international environmental law

Abstract

Abstract The Antarctic region constitutes a fragile eco‐system closely related to the unique features of the physical environment of that continent. The Antarctic Ocean is central to the region's living systems, with krill as the ecological basis of life in the ocean and on land. So far, man's impact upon the Antarctic environment has been negligible, but there is concern that overharvesting of krill and possible marine pollution resulting from any future offshore oil exploration may undermine the krill basis of the Antarctic ecosystem. The legal status of Antarctica is largely determined by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, and especially by the inner circle of the currently fourteen “consultative”; status signatories. These states have given high priority to ecological considerations by enacting a series of environmental and conservationist regulations, as well as two conventions, one protecting the Antarctic seals and the other marine living resources in general. Environmental regulations will form an importa...