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SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 152
Western Bransfield Strait

1. Description of values to be protected

Western Bransfield Strait, particularly its benthic fauna, is of exceptional scientific interest and requires long-term protection from potential harmful interference.
The Area is important for studies of the composition, structure and dynamics of the marine communities. It is recognized as an important spawning ground for several fish species, including the rock cod Notothenia coriiceps and the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus. The Area is within the research area of the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program; fish collected from the Area are used in the study of biochemical and physiological adaptations to low temperatures. Some of the fish collected have been used for comparative studies with the more heavily impacted Arthur Harbour area. Scientific research is also being undertaken on the benthic faunal communities.

2. Aims and objectives

3. Management activities

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map 1: ASPA No. 152 Western Bransfield Strait bathymetric map.

6. Description of the Area

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

The Area lies approximately 80 km west of the Antarctic Peninsula, mostly within the 200 m isobath directly south and west of Low Island. To the west and south of Low Island, and for approximately 20 km from the shore, the sea floor slopes gently from the intertidal zone to depths of approximately 200 m. The sea floor slopes steeply to the east of Low Island, reaching depths of up to 1200 m in this part of Bransfield Strait.
The boundaries of the Area at Western Bransfield Strait are defined in the north as the line of latitude at 63°15’S and in the south at 63°30’S; in the east the boundary is defined as the line of longitude at 62°00’W and in the west 62°45’W (Map 1). The northeastern boundary is defined as the shoreline of Low Island, extending from 62°00’W, 63°20’S in the south-east (approximately two kilometers from Cape Hooker) to 62°13’30"W, 63°15’S in the north-west (Cape Wallace).
The predominantly soft sand/mud/cobbled-rock substrate supports a rich benthos with numerous fish species, invertebrates (sponges, anemones, annelids, molluscs, crustaceans, asteroids, ophiuroids, echinoids, holothurioids, brachiopods, tunicates), and marine plants, in several distinct communities.
Fish species include Chaenocephalus aceratus, Harpagifer bispinis, Notothenia coriiceps, N. gibberifrons, Parachaenichthys charcoti and Trematomus newnesi. The Low Island shelf appears to be a spawning ground for several fish species, eg Chaenocephalus aceratus and N. coriiceps. The Area is a mating ground for Yellowbelly rock cod (Notothenia coriiceps). Larval species recorded in the Area include Bathylagus antarcticus, Electrona antarctica, Gymnodraco acuticeps, Nototheniops larseni, Notothenia kempi and Pleuragramma antarcticum (Sinque et al., 1986; Loeb et al., 1993; Morales-Nin et al., 1995).
The following benthic amphipod species have been recorded within the Area: Ampelisca barnardi, A. bouvieri, Byblis subantarctica, Epimeria inermis, E. oxicarinata, E. walkeri, Eusirus antarcticus, E. perdentatus, Gitanopsis squamosa, Gnathiphimedia sexdentata, Jassa spp., Leucothoe spinicarpa, Liljeborgia georgiana, Melphidippa antarctica, Oediceroides calmani, O. lahillei, Orchomenella zschaui, Parharpinia obliqua, Parepimeria bidentata, Podocerus septemcarinatus, Prostebbingia longicornis, Shackeltonia robusta, Torometopa perlata, Uristes georgianus and Waldeckia obesa (Wakabara et al., 1995).
In 1987 approximately 295,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) were breeding at five locations on Low Island.
No data are available on the numbers of ship movements through the Area, although the South Shetland Islands and northwestern Antarctic Peninsula are popular destinations for tourist ships. Numerous research cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula have included sampling stations within the Area.

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 within or near the Area. The nearest scientific stations are Decepción (Argentina) and Gabriel de Castilla (Spain), both on Deception Island.

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

The nearest protected areas to Western Bransfield Strait are Eastern Dallmann Bay (ASPA No. 153), and Port Foster and other parts of Deception Island (ASPAs No. 140 and No. 145 respectively).

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 into the Area shall be by sea, over sea ice or by air. Anchoring should be avoided within the Area.

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

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures

Structures or scientific equipment shall not be installed within the Area except as specified in a Permit. All markers, structures or scientific equipment installed in the Area shall be clearly identified by country, name of the principal investigator and year of installation.

7(iv) Location of field camps

None.

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

No living animals, plant material, pathogens or microorganisms shall be deliberately introduced into the Area. No herbicides or pesticides shall be introduced 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 used in the minimum quantities necessary to achieve the purpose of the activity for which the Permit was granted.

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.

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

Collection or removal of anything shall only be in accordance with a Permit. Permits shall not be granted if there is a reasonable concern that the sampling proposed would take, remove or damage such quantities of substrate, native flora or fauna that their distribution or abundance within the Area would be significantly affected.

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

1. Permits may be granted to carry out biological monitoring and site inspection activities.
2. Any specific sites of long-term monitoring should be appropriately marked on site and on maps of 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.