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You are in:  Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 151

SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 114
Northern Coronation Island, South Orkney Islands

Decision 1 Decision 2 Decision 3 Decision 4 Decision 5 Resolution 1 Resolution 2 Resolution 3 Resolution 4 Measure 1 Measure 2

ASPA 114 ASPA 118 ASPA 130 ASPA 135 ASPA 137 ASPA 143 ASPA 147 ASPA 148 ASPA 152 ASPA 157

1. Description of values to be protected

Northern Coronation Island, South Orkney Islands, “embraces areas of coastal ice-free terrain (Conception, Prong and Foul Points) with large seabird colonies and lichen-dominated cliffs, and permanent ice rising to the Brisbane Heights plateau which provides an excellent representative area of a pristine ice environment near the northern limit of the maritime Antarctic and the Antarctic Treaty Area, and that the interrelated terrestrial, permanent ice and marine components of this area comprise an integrated example of the coastal, permanent ice and sublittoral ecosystems of the maritime Antarctic environment”.
The Area is difficult to access, few site visits have been made and there is little baseline or up-to-date information available on the ecosystems. The original values cited for the Area cannot be reaffirmed as insufficient information exists for the values to be substantiated.
In view of its assumed pristine condition, the primary potential value of the Area is as a reference site for use in comparative studies with more heavily impacted sites. Before this value can be realised, baseline studies are required on the environment and ecosystems present.

2. Aims and objectives

• preserve the ecosystem of the Area in a largely undisturbed state for its potential as a reference area;
• avoid degradation of, or substantial risk to, the potential value of the Area as a reference site;
• ensure that the purpose, nature, methods and conditions of observation and / or sampling are clearly defined before access is allowed;
• ensure that visits for management purposes are in support of the aims of the management plan

3. Management activities

• Copies of this management plan shall be made available at Signy (UK) and Orcadas (Arg.) research stations.
• Visits to assess whether the Area continues to serve the purposes for which it was designated.

4. Period of designation

Designated for a period of five years to allow opportunity for site visits to be made. If access to the site remains unachievable during this time, consideration should be given to terminating the site’s status as an ASPA.

5. Maps and photographs

Map 1: Northern Coronation Island, Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 114: Boundaries and physical features.

6. Description of the Area

6(i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features

Coronation Island (Latitude 60°33' S, Longitude 45°35' W, 478 km²) is the largest of the South Orkney Islands, extending approximately 48 km with a west-north-west to east-south-east orientation (Map 1). It is largely ice-covered and the northern coastline is indented and generally precipitous, with sharp rocky ridges forming bold headlands between ice cliffs. Exposed boulder beaches are present at the base of many of the ice and rock cliffs. The interior of Coronation Island rises to its maximum height of 1266 m at Mount Nivea. The Area includes two glacial catchments draining northwards from Mount Nivea and the Brisbane Heights plateau. The Area totals approximately 92 km². The land within the Area is dominated by permanent ice, with outcrops and cliffs in a few places.

The Area lies between Conception Point to the west and Foul Point to the east. The eastern boundary follows a ridge from Foul Point southwards to the summit of Mount Nivea (1266 m), thence west-south-westwards down the ridge to the col at High Stile. From High Stile, the boundary continues WSW following the ridge of Brisbane Heights to Wave Peak (960 m). From Wave Peak it extends due north, thence west and in a northwesterly direction following the broad ridge of Brisbane Heights. It then extends due north along the main ridgeline to Conception Point. The actual summits of Mount Nivea and Wave Peak and the southern side of High Stile are outside the Area. The northern boundary is a straight line from Conception Point to Foul Point.

No climate data are available but conditions are expected to be broadly similar to those at Signy Island.

Coronation Island comprises regionally metamorphosed rocks belonging to the Scotia metamorphic complex. The rocks were deformed and metamorphosed to albite--epidote-amphibolite-facies grade during or prior to the late Triassic but the true age of the original sedimentary sequences is uncertain.

No information on streams and lakes is available.

There is little information available on the biological communities in the Area. Breeding chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) occupy the few flat and gently sloping parts of the Area at Conception Point, with numbers roughly estimated to be around 5000 in 1997. Crags are occupied by nesting cape petrels (Daption capense) and snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea). Skuas (Catharacta sp.) and sheathbills (Chionis alba) have been noted at Conception Point, while southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Antarctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), prions (Pachyptila sp.), and Wilson’s and black bellied petrels (Oceanites oceanicus, Fregetta tropica) have been observed close to the coast .

Seals have not been observed within the Area.

White, yellow and orange encrusting lichens are present, often on ice-free cliffs on the coast, along with patches of the common alga Prasiola crispa .

There is no information on the marine environment.

There have been few reported visits and human impacts are considered to be minimal.

6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area

None.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area

There are no structures known to be present in the Area. The nearest scientific research station is Signy Research Station 12 km south of the Area on Signy Island.

6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area

The nearest protected areas are Lynch Island (ASPA No. 110) and Moe Island (ASPA No. 109) (Map 1).

7. Permit conditions

Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit issued by an appropriate national authority.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

• Access to and movement within the Area shall be on foot, by small boat or by helicopter. Land vehicles are prohibited.
• There are no special restrictions on overland access routes.
• There are no special restrictions on landings from the sea.
• Landing of helicopters in or close to sites occupied by concentrations of breeding birds is prohibited.
• Helicopters may land elsewhere within the Area when necessary.
• Use of helicopter smoke grenades is prohibited.
• Pilots, air or boat crew, or other people on helicopters or boats are prohibited from moving on foot beyond the immediate vicinity of their landing site.
• All movement within the Area should be kept to the minimum consistent with the objectives of any permitted activities.

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

• scientific research for compelling reasons that cannot be served elsewhere;
• collection of baseline information on the Area;
• essential management activities, including site inspection or monitoring.

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures

Structures shall not be erected within the Area.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Camping is permitted within the Area for purposes consistent with the objectives of this management plan.

7(v) Restrictions on materials and organisms which can be brought into the Area

No living animals, plant material or microorganisms shall be deliberately introduced into the Area and precautions shall be taken against accidental introductions. No poultry products, including products containing uncooked dried eggs, including wastes from such products, shall be released into the Area or into the adjacent sea. No herbicides or pesticides, nor any other chemicals, including radio-nuclides or stable isotopes, shall be brought into the Area. Fuel may be used for essential transport within the Area, although fuel and other materials shall not be stored in the Area.

7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna

Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna is prohibited.

7(vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder

Material may be collected or removed from the Area only in accordance with a Permit.

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All wastes shall be removed from the Area.

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

To help maintain the values derived from the historically low level of human impact at Northern Coronation Island special precautions against introductions shall be taken. To the maximum extent practicable, all equipment brought into the Area shall be thoroughly cleaned before entering the Area.

7(x) Requirements for reports

Parties should ensure that the principal holder for each Permit issued submits a report describing the activities undertaken to the appropriate authority.