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Historic Antarctic Protection Agreement Becomes Law


December 15th, 1997

Coast line GLAND -- WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature welcomes the entry into force of the landmark Environmental Protection Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty. The Protocol bans mining in Antarctica for a minimum of 50 years and designates the whole continent and its dependent marine ecosystems a "natural reserve devoted to peace and science".

Japan's ratification today was the last formality needed from all the 26 Antarctic Treaty member nations for the Protocol to become law. It will formally enter into force in 30 days' time. Originally negotiated in 1991, it has taken over six years for all the Treaty nations to ratify the Protocol. The last few nations to ratify were Finland, United States, Russia and finally Japan. The U.S. ratified the Protocol this past April after President Clinton signed "The Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996." This bill implements US obligations under the Protocol.

The 1959 Antarctic Treaty has kept Antarctica free of conflict, but human pressures on the continent's unique environment have been growing rapidly from increased numbers of scientific research stations and tourist ships. As well as banning all oil and mineral exploration and mining, the Protocol contains a series of crucial safeguards on environmental impact assessment of all activities, waste disposal, marine pollution, specially protected areas and the conservation of wildlife. A Committee on Environmental Protection will oversee its operation.

For WWF and the other environmental organizations who have worked together over many years, first to oppose the potential opening of mining and oil drilling in Antarctica, and then to push for the strongest possible international agreement to protect the whole Antarctic environment, final ratification is a major victory.

"Antarctica is the world's last great wilderness, a continent of awe-inspiring beauty, and a vital international scientific laboratory" said Cassandra Phillips, WWF's International Treaties Coordinator. "The Environmental Protocol goes a long way towards safeguarding Antarctica before it suffers from the human impacts felt over most of the rest of the earth. For once, the stable door has been locked with the horse still safe inside".

Antarctica represents about ten percent of the earth's surface, and plays a central role in regulating the earth's weather patterns and ocean circulation systems. The surrounding seas support an amazing wealth of penguins and other seabirds, fish, seals, and whales. The pristine nature of the region provides unique opportunities for scientific research that is crucial to the understanding and monitoring of global climate change, ozone depletion, and atmospheric pollution.

The 26 member nations of the Antarctic Treaty are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, People's Republic of China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.

Contact: Cassandra Phillips at +44 1386 882055.