Natural environment

Human activity can have a large impact on the vulnerable natural environment in Antarctica . Show respect, and do your utmost to ensure that your presence does not unnecessarily harm the environment.

• Plants in Antarctica are rare, fragile and grow slowly. Therefore, you should avoid areas where mosses and lichens grow. Use established paths and trails where these exist.
• If possible, all camping should be done in areas that have previously been used for this purpose.
• Keep your distance from animals, and be quiet and calm in their presence. Be especially alert in periods when animals breed and give birth. Do not walk through bird and seal colonies unless you are conducting approved research in the area. Avoid use of motorized vehicles closer than 200 meters from any animal.
• It is prohibited to collect plants or animals without a special permit.
• It is prohibited to bring plants and animals to Antarctica .
• Do not paint on rocks or boulders or deface these in any other manner.

Waste and environmentally harmful products

All waste must be brought out of Antarctica . This is necessary in order to maintain the continent as the largest and most untouched wilderness in the world, with unique natural qualities.

• It is prohibited to leave waste in Antarctica . Observe the waste handling strategies approved for the expedition of which you are a part.
• All open burning of waste is prohibited.
• In order to minimize the amount of waste, before leaving home you should remove redundant packaging material and other unnecessary components from all equipment that you bring to Antarctica .
• When possible re-use packaging materials, office paper and cardboard.
• Avoid bringing products such as PCBs, insecticides, polystyrene beads, chips or other similar forms of packaging materials.
• When leaving a site, it should be left in a natural state. Go through the area thoroughly before you leave, and remove waste and other effects left behind .
• Limit handling and storage of fuel in protected areas, on sea ice, near freshwater, bird and seal colonies and in vegetated areas. Always check to see whether the equipment has leaks or flaws.

Protected areas and cultural remains

Many areas in Antarctica have been given status as specially protected areas due to the presence of distinctive ecological, scientific or historic characteristics.

• Always check to see whether there are Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA), Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMA), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or registered historic sites and monuments in the areas where you are staying.
• Special permits are required for entering into or engaging in activity in ASPAs and SSSIs. You should carry the permit with you in the field.
• Most protected areas have management plans. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with and adhere to existing requirements and rules as they are articulated in the management plans.
• Cultural remains shall not be damaged, destroyed or removed.