INITIATIVE TO EXTEND THE BOUNDARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION’S ANTARCTIC SPECIAL AREA NORTHWARD TO THE ANTARCTIC CONVERGENCE

At the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the United States proposed the adoption of a resolution urging Antarctic Treaty Parties to recommend the extension of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Antarctic Special Area northward to the Antarctic Convergence. The IMO has designated Antarctica as a Special Area under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I (oil), Annex II (noxious liquid substances), and Annex V (garbage). Recognizing CCAMLR’s and the Antarctic Treaty’s respective interests in protecting the marine environment of Antarctica, the ATCM adopted Resolution 1 (2009) citing the importance of cooperation among Parties in enhancing environmental protection for the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem and directing the ATCM’s Chairman to seek the views of CCAMLR on the possibility of asking the IMO to amend the Antarctic Special Area to extend its boundary northward to the Antarctic Convergence. Those views will be particularly helpful in deliberations on whether to recommend that further steps be taken at the IMO.