Call for limit to Antarctic visitor numbers
Environmentalists say unchecked tourism could lead to ecological disaster
Environmentalists are claiming that visitor numbers to the Antarctic need to be restricted to save the continent from ecological disaster.
A report in today’s Guardian newspaper states that some 17,000 people visited the world’s last great wilderness last year – visitor numbers are doubling every three to four years – to sample the superb scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for adventure. But members of the Antarctica Treaty System, who are meeting in Madrid this week, say they want numbers to be restricted.
One of the key concerns, according to the newspaper, is that a ship carrying tourists will one day hit an iceberg and spill its load of oil, which would be extremely difficult to clear up in the region’s icy waters. The Guardian reports that the New Zealand delegate Trevor Hughes told the conference: “One of the key areas is safety as there is no Antarctic code of shipping. The idea of vessels that are full of heavy bunker oil navigating in these waters is a worry.”
New Zealand and Australia are now reportedly pushing the other 47 countries that administrate the continent to bring in rules for tour operators, ensure that they clean up any mess they make, and for tourist numbers to be capped. Mr Hughes continued: “We believe that overall limits do need to be considered though that may be a bit more of a difficult discussion. There are economic interests involved.”
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