Responsible Tourism

As observers to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), and invited experts to meetings of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), ASOC participates actively in discussions about the development of the tourism framework.

ASOC submits information papers and provides comments on submissions from other parties, to ensure that the framework reflects the highest possible standards of environmental protection. 

Read our tourism information papers here. 

Full implementation of the Environmental Protocol

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (commonly known as the Environmental Protocol, Madrid Protocol, or simply the Protocol) is an instrument of the Antarctic Treaty System. Signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991 and entering into force in 1998, its regulations apply to all activities in Antarctica, including tourism. 

Although the Protocol has been in effect for over 25 years, some important provisions still haven’t been actualized. For example, we are still waiting for a system of protected areas to be created, as per article 12(1)(g), and for a liability regime to be established, as per article 16.

ASOC campaigns for the full and effective implementation of the Environmental Protocol, which reflects the intent and commitment of those Parties involved in its negotiation and ratification.

Learn about the Protocol.

Read our policy paper on the implementation of Annexes to the Environmental Protocol (2025).

Read ASOC policy papers and reports to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).

Strengthening environmental liability 

The question of who is liable for environmental damage in Antarctica is critical to its protection. An environmental emergency in Antarctica would be disastrous and costly to remedy, with grave consequences for fragile ecosystems in areas that are extremely difficult to access.

Despite decades of negotiation, the question of who is liable for damage caused in the Antarctic Treaty Area remains unanswered. If there was a major environmental incident in Antarctic waters, there are several unknowns: who is responsible for coordinating the cleanup response? Who pays for the repair work? Who ensures that it’s done, and done well? How is this enforced? And what happens if the responsible parties refuse to do the work? Without answers to these questions, an environmental crisis could turn into a global disaster. 

As the Exxon Valdez oil spill showed us in the 1980s, environmental emergencies in remote areas are costly, time-consuming, and resource-intensive to remediate. Establishing liability for environmental damage in Antarctica is essential, both to promote accountability among those operating in Antarctica, and to discourage high-risk activities.

ASOC continues to advocate for the adoption of preventative regulations that both deter parties and operators from taking risks that could cause environmental damage, and establish liability in advance of an incident.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean where some activities, such as fishing or shipping, are restricted or prevented to support healthy ecosystem function. 

MPAs are particularly important in regions affected by climate change, like the Antarctic Peninsula. Reducing the pressures of human activities like shipping and tourism can allow ecosystems a bit more space to adapt and adjust to changing conditions. 

There are currently three advanced proposals for marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, each of them supported by science. One of these, the Domain 1 MPA, would offer much-needed protection to waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. Read about our campaign to protect the Peninsula here. 

The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) is the first legally binding international maritime agreement for the polar regions Adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and entering into force in January 2017, the Polar Code introduced measures to prevent pollution and improve the safety of vessels operating in polar waters. 

While ASOC welcomed these mandatory measures, this work is not complete. An effective Polar Code needs to: 

• Address underwater noise pollution and black carbon emissions;
• Regulate gray water disposal;
• Extend mandatory safety measures to all vessel classes, and 
• Be effectively implemented by all vessels in the Antarctic. 

ASOC continues to participate in international meetings where the Polar Code is on the agenda. We provide independent scientific and policy advice backed by the best available science, advocating for strong protective measures and their harmonized implementation.

Read about our campaign to strengthen the Polar Code.

Learn more about the Polar Code.

As visitation increases and climate creates more favourable conditions for species from more temperate environments, researchers have identified multiple non-native species in the Antarctic Peninsula region, with several others considered at high risk of establishment (source). Preventing new introductions is essential to protecting vulnerable Antarctic ecosystems.

ASOC works within the Antarctic Treaty System and the International Maritime Organization to advocate for clear guidance, effective implementation, and mandatory measures to reduce the risk of introducing non-native species through shipping.

Focus area: Ballast water

Ships use ballast water to maintain stability and manoeuvrability, particularly when not carrying cargo. Because ballast water is taken up from the ocean, it can contain a range of organisms, including plants, small animals, viruses, and bacteria. When discharged in Antarctic waters, it can introduce non-native species into fragile polar ecosystems.

The pathway towards effective ballast water management in the Antarctic Treaty Area has been gradual. Before 2017, ballast water management was addressed primarily through non-binding guidance, including IMO recommendations reinforced through the Polar Code. These guidelines encouraged vessels to reduce the risk of introducing invasive aquatic species through ballast water and biofouling.

The entry into force of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in 2017 represented a significant step forward, introducing mandatory requirements for ballast water management plans, record keeping, certification, and discharge standards. However, continued attention is needed to ensure that these global requirements are effectively implemented in Antarctic waters and adapted to the unique risks of the Southern Ocean.

View infographic on Complying with the Ballast Water Management Convention.

Learn more about the Ballast Water Management Convention, which came into force in September 2017.