You are in: Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 149
SCAR Bulletin 149, April 2003
Twenty-seventh Meeting of SCAR, Shanghai, China, 22-26 July 2002
- Formal Opening of the Meeting
- Reports of SCAR Meetings
- SCAR Positions
- Meetings of SCAR Subsidiary Groups, and COMNAP and SCALOP
- Geosciences SSG
- Life Sciences SSG
- Physical Sciences
- SSG SCAR Global Change Research
Implementation of the new SCAR structure and organization - SCAR Functions
- ATCM
- Future Meetings
- Closure
Executive Committee:
R H Rutford (President); A C Rocha-Campos (Past President); J A Valencia, A D M Walker, R Schlich, C G Rapley (Vice-Presidents); P D Clarkson (Executive Secretary).
Delegates:
P Skvarca, (Argentina); I F Allison, M Stoddart (Australia); H Decleir, C De Broyer (Belgium); A C Rocha-Campos, (Brazil); S C Bigras, O Loken (Canada); J A Valencia, A J Foppiano (Chile); Z Zhang, L Chen, (China); M Proaña (Ecuador); P Taalas (Finland); J-C Hureau, R Schlich (France); J Thiede, G Kleinschmidt (Germany); H K Gupta, P C Pandey (India); A Meloni, M Candidi (Italy); H Shimamura, K Shiraishi (Japan); B-Y Park, S-H Lee (Korea); A H L Huiskes, J H Stel (Netherlands); F J Davey, C Howard-Williams (New Zealand); O Orheim, A S Blix (Norway); A Gazdzicki (Poland); R F Woodman (Peru); V M Kotlyakov, M Yu Moskalevsky (Russia); A D M Walker, H Valentine (South Africa); J López-Martínez, L G Sancho (Spain); D U Hedberg (Sweden); C G Rapley, J A Dowdeswell (United Kingdom); R H Rutford, M C Kennicutt II (United States); B Grillo, A Lluberas (Uruguay).
Union Members:
G A Knox (IUBS); R Schlich (IUGG); C A Ricci (IUGS); V M Kotlyakov (IGU); D J Lugg (IUPS).
Associate Members:
C Pimpirev (Bulgaria); C Schlüchter (Switzerland); G P Milinevsky (Ukraine).
Observers:
H A Hutchinson (WMO); P Egerton (EPB), A A Samah (Malaysia).
SCAR Subsidiary Groups
Working Groups:
A H L Huiskes (Biology); J Manning (Geodesy and Geographic Information); P E O'Brien (Geosciences); A Peri (Human Biology and Medicine); J Turner (Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere); M Candidi (Solar-Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research).
Groups of Specialists:
A H L Huiskes (Global Change and the Antarctic); D W H Walton (Environmental Affairs and Conservation); A S Blix (Seals); T J Wilson (Antarctic Neotectonics).
SCAR-COMNAP Joint Committee:
D B Peterson (Antarctic Data Management).
Scientific Standing Groups:
J Turner (Physical Sciences); P E O'Brien (Geosciences); A H L Huiskes (Life Sciences).
Advisors:
C Bachelard (France); D Damaske, H Miller (Germany); S C Jain, R P R Muthya (India); P J Barrett (New Zealand); D W H Walton (United Kingdom); C Elfring (United States); N Chipev (Bulgaria).
Dr R H Rutford, President of SCAR, opened the meeting and expressed his great pleasure to be meeting in Shanghai. He thanked the State Oceanic Administration, the Shanghai Municipality, the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, and the Polar Research Institute of China for hosting the meeting and providing the excellent facilities and staff support in the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.
1. Opening business
1.1 Adoption of the Agenda
The President invited Delegates to adopt the draft Agenda for the meeting and, hearing no objections, the Agenda was adopted.
1.2 Peruvian application for Full Membership
The President invited the Delegate of Peru, Professor R F Woodman, to present the application of Peru for Full Membership of SCAR. Professor Woodman drew attention to some highlights of the Peruvian programme in the Antarctic to supplement the written application. While the Peruvian Delegate and observers withdrew from the meeting, various Delegates spoke in support of the Peruvian application. There being no dissension, the President invited the Peruvian Delegate and observers to return to the meeting and announced that Peru had been elected to Full Membership of SCAR.
1.3 Romanian application for Associate Membership
The Executive Secretary reported that an enquiry had been received from Romania and details of the application procedure were sent but no formal application had been received.
1.4 Prince of Asturias Award
SCAR has won a major award for its work in Antarctica. The jury for the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation 2002, in bestowing the honour for international collaboration in Antarctica on SCAR, "expressed its satisfaction at being able to recognize such important cooperation for the benefit of the international scientific community".
The Awards were established in 1980 by the Prince of Asturias Foundation, a non-profit institution that aims to promote the Sciences, Technology, Concord, Arts and Letters. HRH Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, the Prince of Asturias, presides over the Foundation and presents the awards annually at a symbolic ceremony in Asturias, Spain, before an invited audience from the worlds of society, politics and culture in Europe, Japan and the Americas. The ceremony attracts extensive international press, radio and television coverage and is considered one of the principal events in the European and Latin American cultural calendar.
There are eight different Prince of Asturias Awards: Communications and Humanities; Letters; the Arts; Technical and Scientific Research; International Co-operation; Concord; Social Sciences; and Sports. The Awards recognize the scientific, cultural and social work conducted internationally by individuals, groups and institutions whose achievements represent an example for mankind. Each Award comprises a diploma, a sculpture by the Spanish artist Joan Miró and a cash prize of 50,000 Euros.
Previous Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation award-winners have been, among others, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela, Helmut Kohl and the International Space Station.
Delegates agreed to the proposal that the prize money should be used to offer five grants of 10,000 Euros each for a young scientist from a SCAR country to work on an Antarctic project at an institute in a country other than his or her own country. A small group was established to develop the detailed terms of the grants and these will be advertised in due course.
2.1 Reports of XXVI SCAR
The Report of the XXVI SCAR Delegates Meeting held in Tokyo, Japan (17 - 21 July 2000) was published in SCAR Bulletin no 141, April 2001, and the Summary Reports of the Working Group meetings (10 - 14 July 2000) were published in SCAR Bulletin no 142, July 2001. These reports were formally approved by the Delegates.
2.2 Report of Executive Committee Meeting
The Report of the SCAR Executive Committee Meeting held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (22 - 24 August 2001) together with a Joint Meeting of the SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees (22 August 2001) was published in SCAR Bulletin no 145, April 2002. These reports were formally approved by the Delegates.
3.1 Election of President
Dr R H Rutford, completed his 4-year term of Office as President of SCAR. Professor Dr J Thiede (Germany) was elected President of SCAR
In recognition of his long service on the Executive Committee and his contribution to SCAR over many years, the retiring Past-President, Professor A C Rocha-Campos, was elected an Honorary Members of SCAR by acclamation.
3.2 Election of two Vice-Presidents
Dr J Valencia and Professor A D M Walker completed their 4-year terms of Office as Vice-Presidents of SCAR. Dr J López-Martínez (Spain) and Dr C Howard-Williams (New Zealand) were elected Vice-Presidents of SCAR.
3.3 Appointment of Delegate Committees
After some discussion, the Delegates agreed that at this meeting there should be two Delegate Committees: on Scientific Affairs, and on Standing Committees. These two Committees were chaired by C G Rapley and R H Rutford, respectively.
3.4 Appointment of Standing Finance Committee
Professor S L Chown had resigned from the Standing Finance Committee. The Executive Committee proposal that Dr S-H Lee be appointed to serve on the Committee, with R Schlich (Chairman) and G Kleinschmidt, was confirmed by the Delegates. However, the Delegates proposed that the members of the Finance Committee should be elected by the Delegates and it was agreed that this proposal should be incorporated into the SCAR Rules of Procedure when they are revised prior to XXVIII SCAR in 2004.
3.5 Appointment of XXVII SCAR Finance Committee
The Standing Finance Committee was augmented by the appointment of Professor P Taalas and Dr F J Davey to complete the XXVII SCAR Finance Committee.
4. Meetings of SCAR Subsidiary Groups, and COMNAP and SCALOP
Summary reports of meetings held in Shanghai, China, immediately prior to the XXVII SCAR Delegates Meeting were presented by the Chief Officers or their representatives (see above for the list of SCAR Subsidiary Groups represented) as follows:
Working Groups: Biology, Geodesy and Geographic Information, Geosciences, Human Biology and Medicine, Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere, and Solar-Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research.
Groups of Specialists: Seals, Antarctic Neotectonics, and Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration..
SCAR-COMNAP Joint Committee: Antarctic Data Management
Federated to SCAR: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP)
In addition, a written report of the meeting of the Groups of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation was presented by the Convenor. The report of the Group of Specialists on Global Change and the Antarctic was taken at Agenda Item 5 (see below).
4.1 Reports of Working Groups
A H L Huiskes, on behalf of the Chairman, Y LeMaho, introduced the report of the Working Group on Biology. Scientific and environmental matters related to the ATCM were discussed and draft papers were reviewed. Reports were received on the EASIZ and RiSCC programmes, from the subcommittees on Bird Biology and on the Evolutionary Biology of Antarctic Organisms, and from the Group of Specialists on Seals and its APIS programme. Two offers to host the 9th Antarctic Biology Symposium in 2005 had been received.
J Manning, Chairman of the Working Group on Geodesy and Geographic Information, presented a report on progress with the principal activities of the Group. These included the Geodetic Infrastructure for Antarctica (GIANT) Programme; the Geographic Information Programme (GIP); and the Outreach Programme. He also reported that SCAR is now a Class A liaison member to the International Standards Organization-Technical Committee (ISO-TC) 211 that has a mandate to develop an integrated set of standards for geographic information.
P E O'Brien presented the report of the Working Group on Geosciences. The group had identified the following major issues to be addressed by the Standing Scientific Group on Geosciences: Antarctic neotectonics; climate and environmental change; observatory geophysics; subglacial lakes; subice geology; Antarctic basement geology; permafrost and surficial processes; geological and geophysical data exchange and management; environmental impacts of marine acoustic technology; and Antarctic continental margin evolution. A proposal for a new international research initiative to study the climate and glacial history of Antarctica through palaeoclimate and ice-sheet modelling investigations (Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE)) was presented.
The report of the Working Group on Glaciology was introduced by J Turner on behalf of Qin Dahe, the Chief Officer. A key activity of the meeting was discussion of reports on various glaciological programmes and projects including SALE, PICE, ISMASS, VELMAP, GLASS, FRISP, EPICA, WAIS, ITASE, ASPeCt and IDEA. The 7th International Symposium on Antarctic Glaciology will be held in Milano, Italy, 25-29 August 2003.
A Peri presented the report of the Working Group on Human Biology and Medicine. Comprehensive reports on polar medical practice were presented by National Representatives and discussions had ranged across a large number of emergent topics. Reports were given on current and new initiatives covering a wide range of fundamental and applied research. The presentation of work on "Guidelines for Health Care Services in Antarctica" was welcomed and publication of the national standards and procedures in use for medical screening was proposed.
J Turner reported on the activities of the Working Group on Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere. Short scientific symposia were held on "Progress with understanding the Antarctic ozone hole" and "Antarctic climate change over the last 50 years-results of the SCAR READER project". PACA proposed to extend the READER project for a further two years under the Physical Sciences SSG so that upper air data can also be collected and analysed. The project will end in 2004. PACA was also involved in the planning of the SCAR symposium on "The Antarctic sea ice zone - Physical and biological processes and interactions".
M Candidi, Chairman of the Working Group on Solar-Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research, reported to the Delegates. An astronomy symposium comprised nine papers on various subjects, ranging from cosmic background radiation observations to infrared astronomy programmes, to solar observation programmes and neutrino detection experiments; a Solar-Terrestrial Physics symposium comprised 31 papers covering the conjugacy of phenomena among the two hemispheres; satellite observations and their relation to Antarctic observations of geospace; reports from national programmes and reports from some ground-based radar arrays and geospace observatories.
The Delegates adopted all these reports and the President thanked the Chief Officers for their presentations, noting that these would be the final reports from the SCAR Working Groups, prior to their re-organization into Standing Scientific Groups.
4.2 Reports of Groups of Specialists
A S Blix reported on the meeting of the Group of Specialists on Seals held in Shanghai immediately prior to XXVII SCAR. In particular, he reviewed the returns under the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS) and reported on specially protected species in relation to Annex II of the Protocol. He outlined progress in the Antarctic Pack Ice Seals (APIS) Programme with respect to the circumpolar survey of abundance and distribution of seal species and the future work of APIS. He summarized the work of the Group of Specialists on Seals and spoke of the proposal to establish a new seals group under the Life Sciences SSG.
D W H Walton, Convenor of the Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation (GOSEAC), reported on the GOSEAC XII meeting held in April 2002. The Group had provided comments on scientific aspects of eleven draft protected area management plans; considered a draft Working Paper for the scoping exercise for a State of the Antarctic Environment Report; and prepared and contributed to draft papers for submission by SCAR to XXV ATCM
T J Wilson (Convenor) reported on the activities of the Group of Specialists on Antarctic Neotectonics (ANTEC). These included a Workshop on ANTEC science objectives and implementation strategies, presentations at EGS and AGU international symposia, and a major poster session at XXVII SCAR. She outlined a wide range of research programme achievements, planned research programme activities, and plans for several future symposia and workshops during the next two years.
M C Kennicutt, Secretary of the Group of Specialists on Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration, gave a brief account of the Group's activities. The first meeting had been held in Bologna, Italy in November 2001 and a second meeting had been held in Palisades, New York in May 2002. Many new remote-sensing data had been gathered around Lake Vostok. The Group had considered a proposal to drill a further 50 m into the accreted ice above Lake Vostok and had sought additional advice from experts outside the Group. A SCAR Recommendation (XXVII-20) supports further study before the additional drilling is undertaken in the existing borehole.
4.3 Reports of other subsidiary groups
M R Thorley, Chairman of the SCAR-COMNAP Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) reported on progress in the continuing development of the Antarctic Master Directory (AMD). The number of metadata records had increased by 79% in the past 14 months, and the number of "hits" in the first quarter of 2002 had increased by 200% of the corresponding period in 2001. The Committee proposed that, following completion of the development work by the end of 2002, SCAR and COMNAP should continue to fund the GCMD to operate and support the AMD for the benefit of both the Antarctic scientific and operational communities. (See also Appendix 3, item 2.)
4.4 Reports of COMNAP and SCALOP
O Orheim presented the following report on behalf of K A Erb, Chairman of COMNAP.
At the XIV COMNAP meeting the following Working Papers were developed in response to requests from XXIV ATCM:
| • | Worst case and less than worst case scenarios for environmental emergencies; |
| • | A review of Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEEs); |
| • | Best practice to avoid waste water discharges in ice-free inland areas; |
| • | Revision of a previous Working Paper on environmental emergencies incorporating new data. |
COMNAP also developed Information Papers on:
| • | Practical guidelines for environmental emergencies. |
| • | Tourism issues relevant to National Antarctic Programmes; |
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom had asked several questions concerning Antarctic Shipping; responses to these were prepared.
Offers to host the COMNAP Secretariat had been invited. The offer from the State of Tasmania to host the Secretariat from September 2003 was accepted. The current Executive Secretary Mr. Jack Sayers will retire at this time and will be succeeded by Dr Antoine Guichard.
The Joint (SCAR-COMNAP) Committee on Antarctic Data Management had submitted a report for funding to allow the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) to continue developing and populating the Antarctic Master Directory. In response, COMNAP decided:
a. that insufficient information had been provided in the proposal to determine the long term value of the project to the National Operators (i.e. COMNAP).
b. that the main value is to the science community and thus it is primarily an issue for SCAR
c. that if SCAR decides to continue funding beyond December 2002 when the current funding for the GCMD expires, then the COMNAP Executive would be prepared to provide modest bridge funding, provided that a more informative proposal is received in time for analysis, discussion and decision before December 2002.
d. That the question of continued funding beyond December 2003 would need to be considered by the COMNAP Plenary in Brest, France, 8-12 July 2003.
The COMNAP XV Meeting will be in Brest when AEON had been encouraged to hold an environmental education and training workshop in conjunction with COMNAP's education and training network (TRAINET).
4.5 Reports of Scientific Standing Groups (SSGs)
The implementation of the re-organization of the SCAR structure required that the existing Working Groups and Groups of Specialists be amalgamated into three new Standing Scientific Groups. Brief reports of the Chief Officers of these new groups, that met on 18 and 19 July 2002, are given here, listing the new officers of each group and the various subsidiary groups established under each Standing Scientific Group.
Delegates noted that the provision in the implementation document for "Action Groups" with a limited lifespan as the principal type of sub-group of an SSG did not accommodate instances where a much longer or even unlimited lifespan may be needed. As a result, Delegates agreed that an additional type of sub-group, an "Expert Group", could be established where a long-term need for a sub-group was perceived.
P E O'Brien (Australia) was elected Chief Officer, A Capra (Italy) Deputy Chief Officer and B C Storey (New Zealand) Secretary.
The SSG established the following subsidiary groups:
| • | Scientific Programme Group - Antarctic Neotectonics (ANTEC) |
| • | Scientific Programme Group - Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration (SALE) |
| • | Science Programme Planning Group - Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE) |
| • | Action Group - Age, Growth and Evolution of Antarctica (AGEANT) |
| • | Action Group - Permafrost (PAG) |
| • | Action Group - Communication and Outreach |
| • | Expert Group - Geospatial Information |
S L Chown (South Africa) was elected Chief Officer, L Palinkas (United States) Deputy Chief Officer and A H L Huiskes (The Netherlands) Secretary. Delegates agreed that G di Prisco should serve as an additional Deputy Chief Officer until XXVIII SCAR in 2004 to facilitate the process of transition.
The Life Sciences SSG made a specific request to the Delegates meeting for the addition of a second Deputy Chief Officer from the marine biological community. After considerable discussion, the Delegates agreed that, exceptionally, a second Deputy Chief Officer could be appointed for the next 2 years until XXVIII SCAR to facilitate the continuing process of transition. Therefore, the appointment of G di Prisco was approved by the Delegates.
The SSG established the following subsidiary groups with the approval of Delegates:
| • | Scientific Programme Group - APIS |
| • | Scientific Programme Group - EASIZ |
| • | Scientific Programme Group - RiSCC |
| • | Scientific Programme Group - EVOLANTA |
| • | Scientific Programme Planning Group - to study integration of the RiSCC, EVOLANTA and EASIZ programmes |
| • | Scientific Programme Planning Group - Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica: The Response of Life to Change |
| • | Action Group - Global International Waters Assessment (Area 66 - the Antarctic) |
| • | Action Group - Best Practice in Conservation |
| • | Action Group - to organize a workshop on Biological Monitoring |
| • | Expert Group - Seals |
| • | Expert Group - Bird Biology |
| • | Expert Group - Human Biology and Medicine |
J Turner (United Kingdom) was elected Chief Officer, M Candidi (Italy) Deputy Chief Officer and T H Jacka (Australia) Secretary.
The SSG established the following subsidiary groups:
| • | Scientific Programme Planning Group - Interhemispheric Conjugacy in Environmental, Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Research (ICESTAR); |
| • | Scientific Programme Planning Group - Antarctica and the Global Climate System; |
| • | Action Group - Plateau Astronomy Site Testing in Antarctica (PASTA); |
| • | Action Group - Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and Relativistic Electron Precipitation (MADREP); |
| • | Action Group - Antarctic Peninsula Tropospheric-Ionospheric Coupling (APTIC); |
| • | Action Group - Oceanography; |
| • | Action Group - READER; |
| • | Action Group - Antarctic Katabatic Winds; |
| • | Action Group - Antarctic Tropospheric Aerosols and their Role in Climate (ATAC); |
| • | Expert Group - Operational Meteorology in the Antarctic; |
| • | Expert Group - ISMASS; |
| • | Expert Group - ITASE; |
| • | Expert Group - ASPECT; |
| • | Expert Group - Solar-Terrestrial Processes and Space Weather (STEPS); |
| • | Expert Group - Antarctic Astronomy and Astrophysics (AAA); |
4.6 Review of SCAR Recommendations
Delegates reviewed the recommendations adopted at XXVI SCAR and agreed that 12 of these should be revised and re-adopted as XXVII SCAR recommendations. Delegates also adopted seven new SCAR recommendations. The list of XXVII SCAR Recommendations is shown in Appendix 2.
5. SCAR Global Change Research
5.1 Group of Specialists on Global Change and the Antarctic
The Group of Specialists on Global Change and the Antarctic (GLOCHANT) was established at XXII SCAR (Bariloche, Argentina, June 1992) and at this meeting will have been in operation for 10 years, the normal life-span for a Group of Specialists. A H L Huiskes, the Acting Convenor of the Group of Specialists presented a report of the Group's activities. Since 1999 the Group has focused on the production of a document on the status of Global Change Research in the Antarctic (the Silver Book); the coordination of GLOCHANT programmes; and the future of the Group. He reported that, for a variety of reasons, the Silver book will not now be produced. The GLOCHANT programmes ANTIME, ITASE and ASPeCt will continue.
5.2 Developing WCRP programmes in the Antarctic
Following the decision of Delegates at XXVI SCAR, C G Rapley and the Executive Secretary had met Dr H Cattle, Chairman of the Scientific Steering Group for the WCRP Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) programme to explore the possibility for SCAR to be a joint sponsor of the programme. Subsequently, the Joint Scientific Committee of the WCRP had welcomed the proposal for SCAR to provide two members of the CliC Scientific Steering Group whose membership would be 12 in total, with four providing Antarctic expertise. The SCAR representatives would constitute two of the latter. This would require a financial commitment of $6,000 per annum from SCAR. Delegates approved this arrangement.
In addition, the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee invited SCAR to provide and support a representative on the CliC Data Management and Information Panel, and on the Numerical Experimentation Group or Observation Products Panel. SCAR contributions to the support of workshops, publications and networking would also be welcome. The Delegates did not approve a financial allocation for these purposes.
5.3 International relations
Delegates noted that stronger ties are being developed with SCAR and the International Permafrost Association (IPA). They also noted that the existing GLOCHANT programmes had established links with other relevant international programmes and that these would continue.
5.4 A strategy for Antarctic Global Change Research
Delegates agreed to establish a Scientific Programme Planning Group (SPPG) on global change research that will be jointly coordinated by all three SSGs within the new SCAR structure. The SPPG will also continue to coordinate SCAR research with other international programmes, such as IGBP and WCRP, as appropriate
6. Implementation of the new SCAR structure and organization
6.1 General considerations
The President gave a brief account of the history of the internal review of SCAR conducted by the ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy. He then reviewed the recommendations made by the ad hoc Group and listed those that had been implemented, those that are in the process of implementation, and those that have yet to be addressed, particularly the matter of awareness outside SCAR. He reported on the progress made during the previous week by successfully amalgamating the former Working Groups and Groups of Specialists into the new Scientific Standing Committees. He explained that the transition period will extend over the next two years to XXVIII SCAR in Germany by which time all the changes should be in place and operational. However, he pointed out that there was still much to do, particularly with regard to refining terms of reference for, and making appointments to, the Standing Committees. Some of this work would be tasked to the Delegate Committees at this meeting (see Appendix 1).
6.2 Secretariat staffing
The ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy proposed that: "The new Executive Office should consist of three positions: Executive Director (upgraded from the current Executive Secretary position), Programme Officer (a new position), and Administrative Assistant (an existing position)." At its meeting in Amsterdam during 2001, the SCAR Executive Committee agreed to postpone the employment of the Programme Officer and to initiate the employment procedure for an Executive Director. Subsequently this had also been postponed because the Executive considered that SCAR had insufficient funding to sustain this appointment at the level of the anticipated costs while continuing to provide the existing level of financial support to its scientific groups. Following the discussion of some financial scenarios (see 7.3.3) Delegates agreed that the primary need for SCAR is the employment of an Executive Director and the Executive Committee was asked to pursue this as soon as possible.
6.3 Secretariat premises
The Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, a sub-department of the Department of Geography in the University of Cambridge, England, had agreed to provide additional space for an enlarged Secretariat. This will be made available in two stages. The first stage will be a move later this year from the present Executive Secretary's office to a larger office for the Executive Secretary. The second stage will be the provision of an additional office of similar size for the Executive Director when he/she is appointed. The SCAR Administrative Assistant will continue to occupy the current space in the Institute's General Office.
The President expressed his satisfaction at the provision of the additional space and thanked the Director, Professor J A Dowdeswell, for the Institute's consideration of SCAR's needs. He also reminded Delegates that SCAR is not charged any rent for its office premises and is able to make extensive use of the various facilities available in the Institute.
6.4 SCAR Constitution
ICSU had agreed that the SCAR Constitution could be suspended and disregarded where necessary to allow the provisions of the review to be implemented. The President proposed that he would undertake to revise the SCAR Constitution, SCAR Rules of Procedure and Rules of Procedure for SCAR Subsidiary Groups to accommodate the changes. The first draft would be tabled at the meeting of the Executive Committee in July 2003, after which a final draft would be circulated to National Committees for comment so that an approved version could be adopted by Delegates at XXVIII SCAR. The new SCAR Constitution would then be submitted to ICSU for approval by the Executive Board.
7.1 Internal
The review of SCAR Working Groups, Groups of Specialists and other subsidiary groups was regarded as redundant because they had all been overtaken by the re-structuring into the new Scientific Standing Groups and their subordinate Action and Expert Groups.
7.1.1 Review of SCAR Working Groups
7.1.2 Review of SCAR Groups of Specialists
7.1.3 Review of other subsidiary groups
7.1.4 Review of National Reports to SCAR
A paper was tabled showing the current status of National Reports to SCAR held by the SCAR Secretariat. It was noted that some reports had not been received, that some National Committees now provided reports in digital format and that some reports were available only on websites. Some Delegates questioned the value of National Reports but it was agreed that they had both a current value and an historical value; the Secretariat was encouraged to ensure that paper copies of all National Reports are made and stored for archival purposes.
The current format of the Reports is based on the disciplinary fields of the former Working Groups. The Secretariat was asked to revise this format to reflect the new structure of Standing Scientific Groups.
There was discussion of the rationalization and unification of the various national reporting requirements under SCAR, COMNAP and the Antarctic Treaty that had been examined by a contact group under the Antarctic Treaty. The Secretariat was asked to survey national and other websites to determine which of these could be linked to the SCAR website to ensure that the required information was available and to reduce the labour of posting individual reports on the SCAR site.
7.1.5 Publications
There was a short discussion on the future requirements for publication in hard copy, particularly as each issue of the SCAR Bulletin and the SCAR Reports is now routinely posted on the SCAR website. For the same reasons, the need to continue publishing the SCAR Bulletin in Polar Record was discussed but it was agreed that this should continue and be subject to periodic review as web-based publication becomes more widely used.
7.1.6 Activities of the Executive
A paper was tabled, listing the activities of the Executive Committee since XXVI SCAR, and listing the meetings at which members of the Executive and the Executive Secretary had represented SCAR. Apart from the Executive Committee Meeting held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, August 2001, SCAR representations included meetings of the Antarctic Treaty; a meeting of ICSU Unions at the ICSU Secretariat, Paris, France, February 2001; the meeting of the SCOR Executive Committee in Mar del Plata, Argentina, October 2001; the GOSEAC XII Meeting in College Station, Texas, USA, April 2002, and two meetings of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.
7.2 External
7.2.1 Antarctic Treaty System
The reports of the SCAR observers at XII ATSCM (The Hague, The Netherlands, September 2000) and at XXIV ATCM (St Petersburg, Russia, July 2001) were tabled.
Delegates considered several draft papers for submission to XXV ATCM (Warsaw, Poland, 10-20 September 2002). Most of these papers were approved but, after some discussion and consideration of the likely focus of the agenda at XXV ATCM, it was agreed that a proposed presentation and some papers of a less urgent nature should be held over to XXVI ATCM when the meeting should have more time to consider scientific matters.
The following papers will be submitted:
Working Papers
Marine Acoustic Technology and the Environment
Scoping the Data for a State of the Antarctic Environment Report
Revision of Annex II
Specially Protected Species
Information Papers
SCAR Report to XXV ATCM
Marine Acoustic Technology and the Environment: Workshop Report
Exploring Subglacial Antarctic Lakes: A SCAR Report on Progress
CCAMLR
A report by the SCAR observer at CCAMLR was tabled and approved by the Delegates. The importance of maintaining close contact with the Antarctic Treaty was emphasized and it was agreed that there should be closer contact with the Scientific Committee of CCAMLR in matters of mutual interest.
7.2.2 Other Organizations
ICSU
The SCAR Reports to ICSU for 2000 and 2001 were tabled for information.
IPY
The year 2007-08 will be the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY). This is an important anniversary for SCAR because it was the unprecedented success of the IGY in the Antarctic that prompted ICSU to establish the Special (subsequently Scientific) Committee on Antarctic Research at a meeting (I SCAR) in The Hague, The Netherlands, during February 1958.
H Miller gave a short presentation on a proposed programme to investigate the Ice Divide of Eastern Antarctica (IDEA). This would involve a surface traverse of the ice sheet of Eastern Antarctica over a four-year period (2007-11) making a series of glaciological, geological, geophysical and climatological studies. Several Delegates suggested other studies that might be included during the traverse that would complement existing and planned research. The programme would be truly international and echo many of the aims of the IGY. There was general support for the proposal and the President suggested that a small group should be established to consider how the plans could be best elaborated and advanced, noting that other ICSU bodies might be interested in taking part. H Miller agreed to lead the group that should present a report to the Executive Committee at its meeting in July 2003.
Delegates suported the proposal that there should be an IPY programme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IGY and it was suggested that enquiries should be made to ICSU and IUGG. C G Rapley agreed to follow up this proposal.
SCOR, IOC
The President reported briefly on his discussions with the SCOR Executive Committee at its meeting during October 2001 in Argentina. He also reminded the meeting that the President of SCOR, Professor R A Duce, had attended the first week of the SCAR meeting in Shanghai. He noted that the Physical Sciences SSG had established an Action Group on Oceanography and that SCAR is co-sponsoring a symposium session on the Southern Ocean at the IUGG meeting in Sapporo, Japan, during 2003.
C G Rapley gave a brief presentation of a new European initiative in the Southern Ocean. He reported that more than 50 countries and organizations, including several SCAR members that are also members of the European Union, will be involved. He also said that China had expressed interest in taking part through its scientific relationship with the European Union. He forecast that this initiative would be fully international when it finally becomes operational.
Others: GIWA
The Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) has approached SCAR to provide an assessment for the Antarctic region, to include the continent and the Southern Ocean. C Howard-Williams agreed to coordinate this activity for the Antarctic and E S E Fanta offered to host a 3-day workshop in Curitiba, Brazil, at which the report will be developed by a small group of invited scientists. Some funding from GIWA is available for the workshop and there will be minimal cost to SCAR.
7.2.3 Bi-polar relations
SCAR was not formally represented at the IASC Science Summit Week in April 2002. It was noted that some new scientific initiatives may be relevant to Arctic studies and may involve liaison with IASC.
7.3 Financial
7.3.1 Report of the XXVII SCAR Finance Committee
The Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee presented the report of the XXVII SCAR Finance Committee. He introduced the Income and Expenditure statements for 2000 and 2001 and explained the reasons for differences between the projected and actual figures.
7.3.2 Financial statements for 2000 and 2001
The SCAR Financial Statements for 2000 and 2001 were tabled and approved by the Delegates.
7.3.3 Financial strategy
The Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee reminded Delegates that at XXVI SCAR it had been suggested that the annual contributions to SCAR might be increased by 10% in 2004 to take account of inflation, there having been no increase since 1996 when the new contribution categories were introduced. Although there were some expressions of approval there was no consensus on this issue and several Delegates said that their National Committees would not agree to any increase. Finally he drew attention to those members who are in arrears with their contributions and urged that these should be settled as soon as possible.
He also presented some financial scenarios by which it would be possible to pay for one or two additional staff in the Secretariat without reducing the level of support for science. There was considerable discussion of the scenarios and Delegates agreed that an Executive Director should be sought and be engaged for a period of up to 5 years. The SCAR balance should be progressively reduced to fund this appointment without jeopardizing the existing level of science support. The Programme Officer post should not be filled at this time but the situation should be kept under review.
7.3.4 Budget for 2002
The revised budget for 2002 was presented by the Chairman of the Finance Committee and adopted by the Delegates.
7.3.5 Budgets for 2003 and 2004
The SCAR Budgets for 2003 and 2004 were presented by the Chairman of the Finance Committee and adopted by the Delegates, subject to minor revisions to accommodate some additional allocations approved by the Delegates.
8.1 XXVIII SCAR
8.1.1 Arrangements for XXVIII SCAR
Professor Dr J Thiede, Delegate from Germany, made a brief presentation of the arrangements being planned for the XXVIII SCAR meeting. This will be held in two parts as proposed in the re-organization of SCAR meetings. A preliminary announcement was distributed at the meeting.
8.1.2 Activities at XXVIII SCAR
The Scientific Standing Groups will hold their meetings in Bremen, Germany, during the week 25-31 July 2004 around an interdisciplinary science symposium. The Delegates agreed to establish a small group to organize the symposium.
The Delegates Meeting will be held in Bremerhaven, Germany, during the week 3-9 October 2004.
8.2 SCAR Executive Meeting
The SCAR Executive Committee will meet in Brest, France, 8-11 July 2003 in conjunction with the COMNAP XV Meeting. The two Executive Committees will hold a joint meeting at this time.
8.3 XXIX SCAR (Hobart, Australia)
Dr I Allison, Delegate of Australia, confirmed the kind offer of the Australian National Committee to host the XXIX SCAR meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, during 2006.
The Secretariat had also received expressions of interest from Finland, Russia and Uruguay to host future SCAR meetings.
A draft Final Report of the XXVII SCAR Delegates Meeting was adopted by Delegates on the last day of the meeting, on the understanding that the final draft with some additional material would be circulated to Delegates and National Committees for approval prior to publication.
About Acrobat/PDF files