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SCAR Bulletin 150, July 2003

Management Plan for
Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 107
Emperor Island, Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

1. Description of values to be protected
The Dion Islands (Latitude 67°52' S, Longitude 68°42' W), on the western side of the central Antarctic Peninsula in north-western Marguerite Bay, were originally designated as Specially Protected Area (SPA) No. 8 through Recommendation IV-8 in 1966 after a proposal by the United Kingdom. All of the islands in the Dion Islands archipelago were included. Values protected under the original designation were described as the presence of the only colony of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) known to exist on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and that the isolation of this colony from others of the same species makes it of outstanding scientific interest. A management plan for the Area was adopted through Recommendation XVI-6 (1990), which reaffirmed the values of the Area. The boundaries were extended to include the intervening sea between the islands to ensure protection of the emperors at sea or on sea-ice in the immediate vicinity. Attention was drawn to the additional important value of the colony being one of only two known in which breeding occurs on land. It was also noted as the most northerly and probably the smallest of Emperor colonies, with annual numbers fluctuating around 150 pairs.
The values of the emperor penguin colony are reaffirmed in this revised management plan. The boundaries of the Area are now defined more precisely.

2. Aims and objectives
Management at Emperor Island aims to:

• avoid degradation of, or substantial risk to, the values of the Area by preventing unnecessary human disturbance to the Area;
• allow scientific research on the ecosystem and physical environment, particularly on the avifauna, provided it is for compelling reasons which cannot be served elsewhere;
• minimise the possibility of introduction of pathogens which may cause disease in bird populations within the Area;
• minimise the possibility of introduction of alien plants, animals and microbes to the Area;
• gather data on the population status of the emperor penguin colony on a regular basis, preferably at least once every five years;
• allow visits for management purposes in support of the aims of the management plan.

3. Management activities
The following management activities shall be undertaken to protect the values of the Area:

• Maps showing the location of the Area (stating the special restrictions that apply) shall be displayed prominently at any operational research station located within 50 km of the Area, where copies of this management plan shall also be made available.
• Markers, signs or other structures erected within the Area for scientific or management purposes shall be secured and maintained in good condition.
• Visits shall be made as necessary (preferably no less than once every five years) to assess whether the Area continues to serve the purposes for which it was designated, and in particular to conduct bird censuses, and to ensure management and maintenance measures are adequate.

4. Period of designation
Designated for an indefinite period, provided the Emperor penguins continue to breed in the Area.

5. Maps and photographs
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Map 1: Emperor Island, Dion Islands, ASPA No. 107, in relation to Marguerite Bay, showing the locations of the stations Teniente Luis Carvajal (Chile), Rothera (UK) and General San Martín (Argentina). The location of other protected areas within Marguerite Bay (ASPA No. 117 at Avian Island, ASPA No. 115 at Lagotellerie Island, and ASPA No. 129 at Rothera Point) are also shown. Inset: the location of Dion Islands on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Map 2: Emperor Island, Dion Islands, ASPA No. 107: topographic map.
Map specifications:
Projection: Lambert Conformal Conic;
Standard parallels: 1st 67° 0' 00" W; 2nd 68° 00' 00"S;
Central Meridian: 68° 42' 30" W;
Latitude of Origin: 68° 00' 00" S;
Spheroid: WGS84;
Datum: Mean sea level. Horizontal accuracy: ± 1.5 m; Vertical accuracy ±1 m (best accuracy of the control points); Vertical contour interval 5 m (index contour interval 15m).

Map 3: Emperor Island, ASPA No. 107: topographic map. Map specifications as for Map 2.

6. Description of the Area

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6(i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Dion Islands (Latitude 67°53' S, Longitude 68°42' W, within a region of approximately 12 km2), situated 13.5 km south of the south-western extremity of Adelaide Island in north-western Marguerite Bay (Map 1), is a small archipelago comprising the following islands, rocks and reefs: Envoy Rock, Regent Reef, Consort Islands (approximately 3 ha), Emperor Island (approximately 5 ha), Jester Rock, Noble Rocks, Courtier Islands (approximately 8 ha), Embassy Islands and Consul Reef. The islands are generally small, rocky and precipitous, especially Emperor Island, which at a maximum elevation of 46 m is also the highest. The island group contains numerous offshore islets, rocks and reefs, which are potentially hazardous to shipping. The Dion Islands have only been visited occasionally and detailed descriptions of the Area have yet to be made. The islands are generally ice-free in summer, although there are a few small patches of permanent ice and persistent snow. A meltwater pond is located on the northern side of Emperor Island. Terrain suitable for breeding birds is limited, and the colonies present are relatively small, mostly found on Emperor Island. For a detailed description of the geology and biology of the Area see Annex 1.
BOUNDARIES
The designated Area of just over 3 km2 comprises Emperor Island and the marine environment (including sea ice when present) within 1000 m of the coastline of Emperor Island (Maps 2 and 3). The 1000 m boundary is set as a precautionary limit to avoid disturbance to breeding Emperor penguins. Within this zone landing and overflight restrictions apply to aircraft during the period 1 April to 15 December (see Section 7(i) below). However, the area does not include the terrestrial areas of the Consort Islands in the north, Jester Rock in the east, or the Courtier Islands in the southwest.
6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area
None.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area
No structures are known to be present within the Area. A GPS survey station, consisting of a nail driven into a rock marked by a small cairn, was installed on the northeastern side of the largest of the Courtier Islands in March 1997 (Gray and Fox 1997).
The nearest scientific research station is 14 km north-west at Teniente Luis Carvajal (Chile), on southern Adelaide Island (Latitude 67°46' S, Longitude 68°55' W), a summer-only facility operated from October until March since 1982. Over this period the station has generally accommodated up to 10 personnel. Formerly, this facility was established and operated by the UK year-round from 1961 until 1977. The nearest year-round scientific station is Rothera Research Station (UK), 41 km to the north-east on Rothera Point, also on Adelaide Island.

6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area
The nearest protected areas to Emperor Island are Avian Island (ASPA No. 117) about 12.75 km NNW, Lagotellerie Island (ASPA No. 115) 58 km east, and Rothera Point (ASPA No. 129) 41 km to the NE (Map 1).

7. Permit conditions
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Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit issued by an appropriate national authority. Conditions for issuing a Permit to enter the Area are that:

• it is issued only for compelling scientific reasons that cannot be served elsewhere, in particular for scientific study of the avifauna and ecosystem of the Area, or for essential management purposes consistent with plan objectives such as inspection, maintenance or review;
• the actions permitted will not jeopardise the values of the Area;
• any management activities are in support of the objectives of the management plan;
• the actions permitted are in accordance with the management plan;
• the Permit, or an authorised copy, shall be carried within the Area;
• a visit report shall be supplied to the authority named in the Permit;
• permits shall be issued for a stated period;
• the appropriate authority should be notified of any activities/measures undertaken that were not included in the authorised Permit.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

• Subject to the following restrictions, access to the Area shall be by boat, aircraft or over sea ice by vehicle or foot.
• Vehicles are prohibited on land within the Area and all movement on land within the Area shall be on foot.
• Access shall be conducted so as to minimise disturbance to any fauna that may be present, and vehicles or boats should not approach closer than 200 m to any breeding colony.
• There are otherwise no special restrictions on the locations where vehicle or small boat travel or landings may be made, but this shall be by the shortest route consistent with the restrictions in this plan and the objectives and requirements of the permitted activities.
• Aircraft are prohibited from landing within the Area or overflying the Area below 1000 m in the period 1 April to 15 December inclusive.
• Vehicle, aircraft or boat crew, or other people on vehicles, aircraft or boats, are prohibited from moving on foot beyond the immediate vicinity of their landing site unless specifically authorised by Permit.
• All movement should be undertaken carefully so as to minimise disturbance to breeding birds, the soil and vegetated surfaces.
• Pedestrian traffic should be kept to the minimum consistent with the objectives of any permitted activities and every reasonable effort should be made to minimise effects.


7(ii) Activities that are or may be conducted in the Area, including restrictions on time or place

• Scientific research that will not jeopardise the avifauna or ecosystem of the Area, and which is for compelling reasons that cannot be served elsewhere;
• Essential management activities, including monitoring;

Restrictions on times and locations at which aircraft may operate within the Area apply, specified in Section 7 (i) of this Management Plan.


7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures
Structures shall not be erected within the Area except as specified in a Permit and permanent structures or installations are prohibited. Small temporary refuges, hides, blinds or screens may be constructed for the purpose of scientific study of the avifauna. Installation (including site selection), removal, modification or maintenance of structures shall be undertaken in a manner that minimises disturbance to breeding birds. All scientific equipment or markers installed within the Area must be clearly identified by country, name of the principal investigator and year of installation. All such items should be made of materials that pose minimal risk of harm to bird populations or of contamination of the Area. Removal of specific structures, equipment or markers for which the Permit has expired shall be a condition of the Permit.

7(iv) Location of field camps
Temporary camping within the Area is allowed when necessary for purposes specified in the Permit. Specific campsite locations have not been designated, but camping within 200 m of the emperor penguin colony should be avoided.

7(v) Restrictions on materials and organisms that can be brought into the Area.
No living animals, plant material, pathogens or microorganisms shall be deliberately introduced into the Area and the precautions listed in 7(ix) below shall be taken against accidental introductions. In view of the presence of breeding bird colonies on Emperor Island, no poultry products, including products containing uncooked dried eggs, including wastes from such products, shall be released into the Area, including into the sea. No herbicides or pesticides shall be brought into the Area. Any other chemicals, including radio-nuclides or stable isotopes, which may be introduced for scientific or management purposes specified in the Permit, shall be removed from the Area at or before the conclusion of the activity for which the Permit was granted. Fuel is not to be stored in the Area, unless specifically authorised by Permit for specific scientific or management purposes. All materials introduced shall be for a stated period only, shall be removed at or before the conclusion of that stated period, and shall be stored and handled so that risk of their introduction into the environment is minimised. If release occurs which is likely to compromise the values of the Area, removal is encouraged only where the impact of removal is not likely to be greater than that of leaving the material in situ. The appropriate authority should be notified of any materials released and not removed that were not included in the authorised Permit.


7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna
Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna is prohibited, except by Permit issued in accordance with Annex II to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Where taking or harmful interference with animals is involved, the SCAR Code of Conduct for the Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes in Antarctica should be used as a minimum standard.

7(vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder
Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder shall only be in accordance with a Permit and should be limited to the minimum necessary to meet scientific or management needs. Permits shall not be granted in instances where it is proposed to take, remove or damage such quantities of soil, native flora or fauna that their distribution or abundance within the Area would be significantly affected. Samples of flora or fauna found dead within the Area may be removed for analysis or audit without prior authorisation by Permit. Anything of human origin likely to compromise the values of the Area, which was not brought into the Area by the Permit Holder or otherwise authorised, may be removed unless the impact of removal is likely to be greater than leaving the material in situ: if this is the case the appropriate authority should be notified.

7(viii) Disposal of waste
All wastes, except human wastes, shall be removed from the Area. Human wastes shall be removed from the Area or disposed of into the sea.

7(ix) Measures that are necessary to ensure that the aims and objectives of the management plan can continue to be met

1. Permits may be granted to enter the Area to carry out monitoring and site inspection activities, which may involve the small-scale collection of samples for analysis or review, or for protective measures.
2. Any specific long-term monitoring sites shall be appropriately marked.
3. To help maintain the ecological and scientific values found at Emperor Island visitors shall take special precautions against introductions. Of concern are pathogenic, microbial or plant introductions sourced from other Antarctic sites, including stations, or from regions outside Antarctica. Visitors shall ensure that sampling equipment or markers brought into the Area are cleaned or sterilised. To the maximum extent practicable, footwear and other equipment used or brought into the Area (including backpacks, carry-bags and tents) shall be thoroughly cleaned before entering the Area.
4. Poultry products and other introduced avian products, which may be a vector of avian diseases, shall not be released into the Area.

7(x)Requirements for reports
Parties should ensure that the principal holder for each Permit issued submits to the appropriate authority a report describing the activities undertaken. Such reports should include, as appropriate, the information identified in the Visit Report form suggested by SCAR. Parties should maintain a record of such activities and, in the Annual Exchange of Information, should provide summary descriptions of activities conducted by persons subject to their jurisdiction, which should be in sufficient detail to allow evaluation of the effectiveness of the management plan. Parties should, wherever possible, deposit originals or copies of such original reports in a publicly accessible archive to maintain a record of usage, to be used both in any review of the management plan and in organising the scientific use of the Area.