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SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA No 27)
for Historic Site No. 15 (containing the historic hut of Sir Ernest Shackleton and its precincts)

Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island

1. Description of Values to be Protected

The hut was built in February 1908 by the British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition of 1907-1909 which was led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. Structures associated with the hut include stables, kennels, a latrine and a garage created for the first motor vehicle in Antarctica. Other significant relics in the Area include an instrument shelter, supply depots, and a rubbish site. Numerous additional artefacts are distributed around the Area.

2. Aims and Objectives

3. Management Activities

4. Period of designation

Designated under Measure 1 (1998) for an indefinite period.

5. Maps

Map A: Cape Royds regional map.
Map B: Cape Royds Area map.

6. Description of the Area

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

Cape Royds is an ice free area at the western extremity of Ross Island, approximately 40 km south of Cape Bird and 35 km north of Hut Point Peninsula. The ice free area is composed of till covered basalt bedrock. The designated Area is located to the north east of Cape Royds adjacent to Backdoor Bay. It is immediately to the east of the existing SSSI No. 1, an Adélie penguin rookery. The Area is centred on Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition hut.
The boundaries of the proposed Area are: South and East, by the shoreline of the eastern coast of Cape Royds including Arrival and Backdoor Bays; West, by a line following the boundary of SSSI No. 1 from the coastline at Arrival Bay to a signpost (77°31´12.6"S, 166°10´01.3"E) and then continuing to follow the boundary of SSSI No. 1 for 40m in a NE direction; Northwest, by a line extending in a NW direction from the boundary of SSSI No. 1 and following the shore of a small lake to the NW of Pony Lake and then along a gully leading to a point at 77°33´7.5"S 166°10´13"E; North, by a line extended due east from a point at 77°33' 7.5" S, 166°10'13" E to the coastline of Backdoor Bay.
Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from the adjacent rookery at Cape Royds often transit the Area. Skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) nest in the vicinity.

6(ii) Restricted zones within the Area

None.

6(iii) Structures within the Area

Apart from a Treaty plaque all structures within the Area are of historic origin.

6(iv) Location of other Protected Areas within close proximity

SSSI No 1 Cape Royds is immediately adjacent to this Area. SSSI No 2 Arrival Heights, Hut Peninsula is 32 km south; and SSSI No 11 Tramway Ridge is 20
km east. SSSI No 10, New College Valley, and SPA No 20, Caughley Beach are located 35 kmnorth in the vicinity of Cape Bird. SPA No. 25, Cape Evans is 12 km south, and SPA No. 26, Lewis Bay is 36 km north east. All sites are located on Ross Island.

7. Permit Conditions

Entry to the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a permit.

7 (i) Access to and movement within the Area

Control of movement within the Area is necessary to prevent damage caused by crowding around the many vulnerable features within the Area. The maximum number in the Area at any time (including those within the hut) is: 40 people
Control of numbers within the hut is necessary to prevent damage caused by crowding around the many vulnerable features within the hut. The maximum number within the hut at any time (including guides) is: 8 people Avoidance of cumulative impacts on the interior of the hut require an annual limit on visitor numbers. The effects of current visitor levels (approximately 1,000 per calendar year) suggest that an increase of more than 100% could cause significant adverse impacts. The annual maximum number of visitors is: 2000 people
Helicopter landings are prohibited within the Area. Landings may be made at the designated landing sites (see Map B.). Vehicles are prohibited within the Area. Landings from the sea by boat, or vehicle travelling on the sea ice, may be made by approaching from Backdoor Bay.

7(ii) Activities which may be conducted within the Area

Activities which may be conducted within the Area includes:

7(iii) Installation, modification and removal of structures

No new structures are to be erected in the Area. No historic structure relic or artefact shall be removed from the Area only in accordance with a permit.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Use of the historic hut for living purposes is not permitted. Camping is prohibited within the Area.

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

No living animals or plant material shall be introduced to the Area. No food products shall be taken into the Area. Chemicals which may be introduced for management purposes shall be removed at or before
the conclusion of the activity for which they are required. Fuel or other materials are not to be left in depots in the Area. Use of combustion type lanterns is not permitted in the hut under any circumstances.
Smoking in the Area is not permitted.

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

This activity is prohibited except in accordance with a separate permit.

7(vii) Collection of anything not introduced by a visitor

Material may be collected and removed from the Area only for restoration, preservation or protection purposes, or scientific reasons consistent with the objectives of this plan, and only in accordance with a permit. Visitors must remove objectsintroduced by them.

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All waste generated by visitors shall be removed.

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

The provision of information for visitors. The development of skills and resources to assist with the protection of the Area’s values.

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.