pdf WP029: Proposed Update to the Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions Popular

ATCM XL and CEP XX 2017, Beijing, China

Working Paper

WP029: Proposed Update to the Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions (with Australia and New Zealand)

Submitted: 06/04/2017

Summary:

At CEP XV (2012) the Committee endorsed the Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions (ACBRs), and agreed that they should be used consistently and in conjunction with other tools agreed within the Antarctic Treaty system as a dynamic model for the identification of areas that could be designated as Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, within the systematic environmental-geographic framework referred to in Article 3(2) of Annex V of the Protocol. The ATCM welcomed the ACBRs through Resolution 6 (2012). Information Paper 15 summarises a recent revision of the ACBRs, reflecting updates in underlying spatial layers, together with the results of new analyses justifying the inclusion of an additional (16^th) biologically distinct large-scale ice-free area in the Prince Charles Mountains region (Annex to Attachment A). Australia, New Zealand and SCAR propose that the Committee endorses the revised ACBRs (ACBRs Version 2) and, if agreed, forwards the draft Resolution at Attachment A to the ATCM for approval.

See also Attachment 24 ( pdf ATT024 (346 KB) )