In a new report by The Australian Strategic Policy Institute it is claimed that the validity of Australia’s territorial claim over 42 percent of Antarctica will face more challenges.
“There is going to be a lot more pressure on Antarctica – climate change, illegal fishing, more tourists, bio-prospectors,” he said.
“If peak oil hits stratospheric levels, there could be an Antarctic cold rush, prospects for an iceberg harvesting industry – there is going to be more interest.”
Ian Mott has emailed me that the the legitimacy of the southern ocean whale sanctuary, which has been a point of significant discussion at this blog, is contingent on international recognition of Australia’s claim to Antarctic territory. He also mentioned that many nations have not recognised our claim but have also not contested it, yet.
I am also told Australia maintains a policy of nil exploration and nil access to resources at Antarctica.
Download the report here: http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=120&pubtype=6
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
As the Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary is mentioned , I want to say that that I’m opposed to whaling in the Sanctuary. I also wish that the Japanese respect the Australian Whales Sanctuary.
If the Japanese want to eat whale meat they should only be allowed to hunt coastal whales and maybe a small number of whales in the North Pacific.
What is Australia doing with Antratica anyway??
What fish pirates from where? So is the Australian taxpayer now responsible for the management a huge area of coastal waters and oceans too?
When did fish suddenly become quasi private property?
Whenever it was it seems to have created a opportunity for the establishment of massive bureaucracies to manage this private (quotas that can be traded) public (fish owned by ‘starlians ‘don’t you wogs ‘n slants touch em or we’ll get ya and jail ya) resource.
And the cost of policing the worlds smallest
OECD fishery on the world’s third largest fishing ground?
Take time to browse this site http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/bd/toc.htm
Stock assessments presented orally, blackmailing countires to regulating ‘IUU’ fisheries.
Another bureacracy grown in the quest for resource management efficiency
Bob – what’s anyone doing anywhere. Answer for Australia is a long history of exploration and science.
Why do we need some bureaucracy – ans: – see southern tuna debacle. Say no more.
Here’s a good one for you on Sanctuaries Ann:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5731/51e
And more interesting stuff from IWC in 2002:
“… the Scientific Committee Chair admitted that she was tempted to resign…”
http://luna.pos.to/whale/iwc_chair02_10.html
http://www.localnewsleader.com/brocktown/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=88582
Riches await as Earth‘s icy north melts
Brocktown News, Nevada, USA
31 March, 2007
By DOUG MELLGREN, Associated Press Writer Sat Mar 24, 6:34 PM ET
HAMMERFEST, Norway – Barren and uninhabited, Hans Island is very hard to find on a map. Yet these days the Frisbee-shaped rock in the Arctic is much in demand — so much so that Canada and Denmark have both staked their claim to it with flags and warships.
The latest report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the ice cap is warming faster than the rest of the planet and ice is receding, partly due to greenhouse gases. It‘s a catastrophic scenario for the Arctic ecosystem, for polar bears and other wildlife, and for Inuit populations whose ancient cultures depend on frozen waters.
The U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey estimates the Arctic has as much as 25 percent of the world‘s undiscovered oil and gas. Russia reportedly sees the potential of minerals in its slice of the Arctic sector approaching $2 trillion.
“Even though they say it is about fish, it is really about oil,” said Jensen, the consultant in Hammerfest.
In 2004, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the sovereignty issue “a serious, competitive battle” that “will unfold more and more fiercely.”
[more of this story at the link above.]
Careful Schiller – you’re making a prediction of further warming !
Hi Ann,
The Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary is not a good means of protecting migratory species which summer in the Southern Ocean unfortunately. It was hoped the Southern Ocean Sanctuary would address this.
From one of the links above I find the following interesting in light of your frequent comments drawing attention to the ‘culling’ of marine mammals in competition with fisheries:
“Noting the different views expressed and that there was no consensus to abolish the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, Japan withdrew its proposed Schedule amendment. However, Japan drew attention to the declining condition of the bigeye tuna stock in the Indian Ocean that is now at 40% of its sustainable level and causing concern within the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). It further reported that 30% of the tuna hooked by fisheries in this area is estimated to be consumed by cetaceans, a problem recognised at the IOTC by countries including Oman and Kenya, i.e. countries that at this IWC meeting had promoted retention of the sanctuary. Japan believed that better internal communication is necessary.”
I seem to have read or seen lately an item about the the CIA setting up a new section to examine situations where nations could go to war over natural resources and environment policy.
It is actually the same old issue. On one hand we have those who want to centralise environmental management (ie stuff it up with bureaucratic incompetence based on the assumption of wide powers with no associated responsibility) and govern by expedient.
And on the other hand we have the sustainable users with strong emphasis on local management of local issues, private ownership and management of resources, property rights and associated responsibility, and liability in law for damages inflicted on others.
Whether we like it or not, we live in interesting times.