ASOC produces a wide variety of papers, newsletters, and media advisories on Antarctic issues. We have highlighted some of our recent publications below and hope you will find them useful and informative. Publications have been organized by type below. Please click on the headers to access the papers in that section.
Recent ASOC Publications
ASOC Papers Submitted at Official Meetings
Policy Papers
Press Releases
Brochures, Fact Sheets and Newsletters
Annual Reports
Recent ASOC Publications
Krill Industry Report for October 2008 Krill, a shrimp-like crustacean, is the base of the Antarctic food web. Efforts to develop the krill industry therefore have the potential to hugely affect Antarctic animals such as penguins and whales. ASOC monitors important developments in the krill industry through its Krill Industry Reports.
Know Before You Go Pamphlet Heading to Antarctica? Read this brochure to learn how you can help protect the Antarctic environment.
Protecting the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary: A Management Plan This paper urges the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and other bodies such as the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to develop a clear management plan and to conduct research to determine the health of cetacean populations.
Tourism and the Human Footprint at Deception Island This poster by ASOC campaigners Ricardo Roura and Tina Tin was presented at the July 2008 meeting of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). It describes findings on the contamination of sites on Deception Island with bisphenol-A (BPA), benzene sulfonamide (BZ-SULFO) and other hydrocarbons.
Impacts of Climate Change on Antarctic Ecosystems This paper, originally submitted in June 2008 at the 31st Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, details the effects of climate change in the Antarctic, including decreases in krill and Adelie penguin populations.
Climate Change and Implementation of CCAMLR's Objectives Presented at the 2007 CCAMLR meeting. Climate change has had a measurable and significant impact upon the Antarctic marine environment, and its effects must be taken into account to ensure the protection of Antarctic species.
ASOC Appeal on Lake Vostok ASOC has urged the Russian government to re-consider plans to penetrate into the lake unless it can minimize the risk of contamination to the sub-glacial lake. Vostok has been covered by four kilometers of ice for millions of years, and it is of paramount importance that any scientific research does not destroy any of the unique life forms that may still live there.
Environmental Reports of Fildes Peninsula, 1988 - 1997: Benchmarks for Environmental Management ASOC campaigners Tina Tin and Ricardo Roura explore the environmental impact of Antarctic research stations on the Fildes Peninsula. As countries seek to expand their research presence on the continent, the potential for environmental damage also increases. Tin and Roura find that several aspects of the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic treaty are not adequately observed on the Fildes Peninsula.
The Need for a Strategic Plan for the Management of the Antarctic Krill Fishery ASOC urges CCAMLR to implement stronger regulations for krill fishing in the Antarctic, including requiring scientific observers to be present on all fishing vessels to collect data that can be used to better manage the fishery.
ASOC Papers Submitted at Official Meetings
ASOC submits substantive papers on policy and scientific issues related to Antarctica at the official meetings of the bodies who govern Antarctica and Antarctic resources.
ASOC Papers Submitted at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs)
ASOC Papers Submitted at meetings of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
Policy Papers
Outside of official meetings, ASOC often produces policy statements and papers on issues of importance to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Press Releases
6.13.08 Antarctic Treaty Parties Duck Tourism Challenges
Previous press releases are here.
Brochures, Fact Sheets and Newsletters
Krill Industry Reports
-October 2008
-May 2008
-April 2008
-February 2008
Fact Sheets
-Penguins
-Whales
-Seals
-Why Protect Antarctica
-Madrid Protocol
-The Antarctic Treaty
Informational Posters
-Managing the Antarctic Krill Fishery to Protect Penguins and Other Krill Predators
-Exploring the Links between Chinstrap Penguins, Soil Characteristics, and Climate Change on King George Island (also see this enlarged version of the map of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean used in the poster)
Annual Reports
2007 Annual Report
2006 Annual Report
2005 Annual Report