Antarctica is the world's largest and most pristine wilderness, covering an area of nearly 14 million km2. Activities in the Antarctic are regulated by the Antarctic Treaty, 1961, which applies to the area south of 60° south latitude, including all islands and ice shelves.
Under the Antarctic Treaty System, the concept of setting aside areas for special protection was first introduced by the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, 1964 which Antarctica was designated as a 'Special Conservation Area'. Up to 1991, five categories of protected areas had been designated:
The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, 1991, designated Antarctica as a 'natural reserve devoted to peace and science', and providing for comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment. Annex V or the Protocol rationalizes the existing protected area system by creating two new designations:
Once Annex V is ratified by all the Antarctic Treaty nations, ASPAs will incorporate all SPAs and SSSIs previously designated. Entry into an ASPA is prohibited except by a permit issued under the management plan. Entry into an ASMA does not require a permit, but activities are directed by a Code of Conduct set out in the Management Plan.
As at the XXII Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) (Tromsö, 1998), the complete redesignation of protected areas as ASPAs and ASMAs had not taken place, although the Management Plan for one ASMA was voluntarily adopted at the ATCM XX (Utrecht, 1996). As Annex V is not yet in force, these web pages use the current pre-1991 designations.
Other protected areas have been designated under Conventions within the Antarctic Treaty system. Three seal reserves have been established under the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS), 1972. Under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), 1988, two CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP) sites have been agreed.