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Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 153
EASTERN DALLMANN BAY

1. Description of values to be protected

Eastern Dallmann Bay was designated on the grounds that “the shallow shelf west of East Dallmann Bay is one of only two known sites near Palmer Station that are suitable for bottom trawling for fish and other benthic organisms. The Site and, in particular, its benthic fauna, are of exceptional scientific interest and require long-term protection from harmful interference”.
The boundaries of the Area have been revised, based on new bathymetric data, to focus on the shallow shelf down to 200 m depth to the west and north of Brabant Island, while excluding deeper water of to the west (Map 1).
The Area continues to be important for obtaining scientific samples of fish and other benthic organisms and is an important habitat for juvenile fish species, including the rockcod Notothenia coriiceps and the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus. The Area is within the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program; fish collected from the Area are used to study biochemical and physiological adaptations to low temperatures.

2. Aims and objectives

3. Management activities

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map 1: ASPA No. 153 Eastern Dallmann Bay bathymetry.

6. Description of the Area

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

The Area is defined in the south by latitude 64°20’S, extending from Fleming Point westward for 2 km to 62°40’W. From here, the western boundary extends due north on longitude 62°40’W for 18.5 km to 64°10’S,then NNW almost 19 km to 62°45’W, 64°00’S and then approximately 13 km due north on longitude 62°45’W to latitude 63°53’S, the northern boundary of the Area. The northern boundary lies approximately 23.4 km along latitude 63°53’S from 62°45’W to 62°16’W. The eastern boundary extends due south approximately 16 km along 62°16’W to the eastern extremity of Pasteur Peninsula, Brabant Island, at 62°16’W, 64°02’S. From there, the eastern boundary is defined as the mean high water mark of the northern and western coastline of Brabant Island. The total area is approximately 580 km2.
Fish commonly collected include Notothenia gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Champsocephalus gunnari, Pseudochaenichthys georgianus and Chionodraco rastrospinosus. Specimens of Trematomus newnesi and Notothenia coriiceps have only rarely been collected. Larval species include Artedidraco skottsberg, Notothenia gibberifrons, N. nudifrons and Pleuragramma antarcticum. Invertebrates collected have included varieties of sponge, anemone, annelid, mollusc, crustacean, asteroid, ophiuroid, echinoid, holothurioid and tunicate.
Aggregations of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) have been recorded in the upper 120 m of the water column.
Two colonies of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) have been recorded on the northwestern coast of Brabant Island immediately adjacent to the Area. Other birds observed breeding on the western coast of Brabant Island and frequenting the Area are: Antarctic fulmars (Fulmaris glacialoides), Antarctic terns (Sterna vittata), black-bellied storm petrels (Fregetta tropica), blue-eyed cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps), brown skuas (Catharacta loennbergi), cape pigeons (Daption capense), greater sheathbills (Chionis alba), kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus), snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea), south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) and Wilson’s storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus). Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica antarctica), black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophris), southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) commonly forage in the Area.
Marine mammals observed in Dallmann Bay have included humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer whales (Orcinus orca), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), numerous Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli).

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 the Area. Structures and other material from the UK Joint Services Expedition to Brabant Island (January 1984 to March 1985) may remain on the western shores of Brabant Island, particularly at Metchnikoff Point. The nearest stations are President González Videla (Chile), Paradise Harbour; Port Lockroy (UK), Goudier Island, Yelcho (Chile), approximately 80 km south-west on Doumar Island; and Palmer (USA), approximately 90 km WSW on Anvers Island.

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

The nearest protected areas to Eastern Dallmann Bay are Western Bransfield Strait (ASPA No. 152), which lies about 55 km to the NNW, and Biscoe Point (ASPA No. 139) and Litchfield Island (ASPA No. 113), both of which lie approximately 80 km to the south-west on the southern coast of Anvers Island (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 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 enter the Area 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.