Specially Protected Areas in the British Antarctic Territory

The Coopermine Peninsula, Robert Island

An Antarctic Specially Protected Area is an area on the continent of Antarctica, or on nearby islands, which is protected as such by international treaty. Scientific missions to Antarctica and a number of international bodies are concerned with the protection of these areas. Many lie within the British Antarctic Territory.

The protected areas were established in 1961 under the Antarctic Treaty System, which governs all the land and water south of 60 latitude and protects against human development. A permit is required for entry into any ASPA site. The sites across Antarctica are protected by the governments of Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Argentina, Poland, Russia, Norway, Japan, India, Italy, and South Korea. There are currently 72 sites across the continent and islands, or which 32 lie within the British Antarctic Territory.

List of sites in the British Antarctic Territory

No.	Name	Area	Co-ordinates	Description
107	Emperor Island, Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay	1.8 sq miles	67°52’0"S, 68°42’0"W	The Dion Islands, a small archipelago comprising several islands, rocks and reefs, are situated 8.4 miles south of the south-western extremity of Adelaide Island in Marguerite Bay. The site contains the only colony of emperor penguins known to exist on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, and the isolation of this colony from others of the same species makes it of outstanding scientific interest. It is also the most northerly and probably the smallest emperor penguin colony, and one of only two in which breeding occurs on land. Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags also breed here. Proposed by the United Kingdom
108	Green Island Berthelot Islands	42 acres	65°19’0"S, 64°9’0"W	Green Island is a small island situated 165 yards north of the largest of the Berthelot Islands group in Grandidier Channel, approximately 2 miles off the Graham Coast. The vegetation on the area is exceptionally rich, with well-developed continuous banks of moss turf and small patches of Antarctic hair grass. While the vegetation on Green Island is not as regionally diverse as once thought, in recent years it has largely escaped significant damage to its moss banks that more northerly islands have been subjected to by Antarctic fur seals. A large blue-eyed shag colony, brown skuas, south polar skuas and hybrids are also found. The colony of blue-eyed cormorants is possibly one of the largest along the Antarctic Peninsula. Proposed by the United Kingdom
109	Moe Island South Orkney Islands	296 acres	60°43’60"S, 45°40’60"W	Moe Island, South Orkney Islands, is a small irregularly shaped island lying 300 yards off the south-western extremity of Signy Island, from which it is separated by Fyr Channel. It provides a representative example of the maritime Antarctic ecosystem, including large banks of moss turf and colonies of chinstrap penguins, Cape petrels and Antarctic prions. Weddell seals and fur seals also haul out on the island's beaches. Moe Island is protected as a control area for future comparison with neighbouring Signy Island, which has been subjected to intensive scientific research and major changes in its low altitude terrestrial system due to disruption from fur seals. Additionally, Moe Island contains the greatest continuous expanses of Chorisodontium-Polytrichum moss turf found in Antarctica. Proposed by the United Kingdom
110	Lynch Island South Orkney Islands	37 acres	60°39’10"S, 45°36’25"W	Lynch Island is a small island situated at the eastern end of Marshall Bay in the South Orkney Islands, about 200 yards south of Coronation Island and 1½ miles north of Signy Island. The area includes the whole island above the low tide water level, excluding offshore islets and rocks. The island supports one of the most extensive and dense stands of Antarctic hair grass known an outstanding example of a rare natural ecological system. Several species of moss are unusually fertile, and the soil contains a rich invertebrate fauna. Most species of Antarctic seals are common around the island. Despite localised damage from Antarctic fur seals, limited human disturbance via visitation, scientific research and sampling, means the area has potential value as a reference site to measure against comparable ecosystems which are experiencing substantial changes as a result of fur seal activities. Proposed by the United Kingdom
111	Southern Powell Island and adjacent islands, South Orkney Islands	9 sq miles	60°42’0"S, 45°1’0"W	The area includes all of Powell Island south of the latitude of the southern summit of John Peaks (1230 feet), together with the whole of Fredriksen Island, Michelsen Island, Christoffersen Island, Grey Island and unnamed adjacent islands. Southern Powell Island and the adjacent islands support flora and a considerable bird and mammal fauna representative of the natural ecology of the South Orkney Islands, which are rendered more important by the presence of a small, long-established breeding colony of fur seals. Proposed by the United Kingdom
112	Coppermine Peninsula, Robert Island South Shetland Islands	165 acres	62°22’60"S, 59°42’0"W	Coppermine Peninsula is situated on the west side of Robert Island, which lies between Nelson Island to the east and Greenwich Island to the west, midway along the South Shetland Islands archipelago. It is a biologically diverse area, supporting rich vegetation, together with a variety of terrestrial fauna and a rich avifauna. It has one of the largest continuous moss stands in the Antarctic. Chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels, Wilson's storm petrels, Antarctic terns, Dominican gulls, elephant seals, Weddell seals and fur seals can also be found. Proposed by Chile
113	Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbour Anvers Island	89 acres	64°46’0"S, 64°5’60"W	Litchfield Island lies within Arthur Harbour, south-west of Anvers Island amongst the Palmer Archipelago. Together with its littoral zone, it possesses an unusually high collection of marine and terrestrial life, is unique amongst the neighbouring islands as a breeding place for six species of native birds and provides an outstanding example of the natural ecological system of the Antarctic Peninsula area. In addition, Litchfield Island possesses rich growths of vegetation and has the most varied topography and the greatest diversity of terrestrial habitats of the islands in Arthur Harbour. Proposed by the United States of America
114	Northern Coronation Island South Orkney Islands	35 sq miles	60°33’-0"S, 45°34’60"W	The area includes the region of northern Coronation Island (the largest of the South Orkney Islands) between Conception Point to the west and Foul Point to the east. The site embraces areas of coastal ice-free terrain with large seabird colonies and lichen-dominated cliffs. Permanent ice rising to the Brisbane Heights plateau provides an excellent representative area of a pristine ice environment near the northern limit of the maritime Antarctic. The interrelated terrestrial, ice and marine components of the area comprise an integrated example of the coastal, permanent ice, and sublittoral ecosystems typical of the maritime Antarctic environment. he primary potential value of the area is as a reference site for use in comparative studies with more heavily impacted sites. Proposed by the United Kingdom
115	Lagotellerie Island Marguerite Bay	400 acres	67°52’60"S, 67°24’0"W	Lagotellerie Island is situated in Marguerite Bayoff the Fallières Coast of Graham Land, 46km SE of Rothera Point on Adelaide Island, 11km south of Porquois Pas Island, and 3.25km west of the south end of Horseshoe Island. The island contains relatively diverse flora and fauna typical of the southern Antarctic Peninsula. Of particular interest is the abundance of the only two Antarctic flowering plants, which form stands of up to 10m2, and are amongst the largest stands known south of the South Shetland Islands The shallow loamy soil developed beneath the plant swards and its associated invertebrate fauna and microbiota are probably unique at this latitude. There is also a colony of about 1000 pairs of Adélie penguins and one of the southernmost colonies of blue-eyed shags. Numerous pairs of brown and south polar skuas also breed on the island. Proposed by the United Kingdom
117	Avian Island Marguerite Bay	277 acres	67°46’0"S, 68°54’0"W	description=Avian Island is situated in north-western Marguerite Bay, 400m south of Adelaide Island, on the western side of the central Antarctic Peninsula. The site is of outstanding ornithological importance and unique in the Antarctic Peninsula region for its abundance and diversity, with six different seabirds breeding in such close proximity to each other. These include Adélie penguins, blue-eyed cormorants, southern giant petrels, kelp gulls, skuas, and Wilson's storm petrels. Several of these colonies are at the southernmost limits of their ranges, and are significant contributors to their total regional populations. Proposed by the United Kingdom
119	Davis Valley and Forlidas Pond Dufek Massif	22 sq miles	82°27’0"S, 51°21’0"W	description=Davis Valley and Forlidas Pond are situated in the north-eastern Dufek Massif of the Pensacola Mountains, part of the Transantarctic Mountain range. The area contains some of the most southerly freshwater ponds known in Antarctica, which are protected as examples of unique near pristine freshwater ecosystems and their catchments. They provide unique opportunities for the scientific study of biological communities near the extreme limit of the occurrence of these environments. The area is believed to be one of the most pristine ice-free valley systems in Antarctica, and is therefore considered to possess outstanding potential as a reference area for studies understanding the response of the Antarctic ice sheet to climate change. Proposed by the United State of America
125	Fildes Peninsula King George Island	0.9 sq miles	62°12’0"S, 58°58’0"W	The Fildes Peninsula is the most extensive coastal area free of snow in summer in King George Island (25 de Mayo), with a length of around 7km. It is one of the areas in Antarctica of greatest paleontological interest, owing to the presence of outcrops with fossil remains of a wide range of organisms, including vertebrate and invertebrate ichnites, and abundant flora with impressions of leaves and fronds, trunks, pollen grains and spores that date from the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene period. Proposed by Chile
126	Byers Peninsula Livingston Island	35 sq miles	62°34’35"S, 61°13’7"W	Byers Peninsula is situated at the west end of Livingston Island. Designated to protect three smaller ice-free sites on the peninsula of Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary and fossiliferous strata, it is considered of outstanding scientific value for study of the former link between Antarctica and other southern continents. The area is also known for its considerable biological and archaeological importance, with coastal and inland lakes with particularly important biota. The inland lakes contain aquatic mosses and serve as breeding sites for the midge Parochlus steinenii, the only native winged insect in the Antarctic. The peninsula is also of exceptional historical interest, containing the greatest concentration of 19th century historical sites in Antarctica, such as the remains of refuges, contemporary artefacts, and shipwrecks of early nineteenth century sealing expeditions. Proposed by the United Kingdom and Chile
128	Western shore of Admiralty Bay King George Island	7 sq miles	62°10’60"S, 58°27’0"W	The area supports an exceptional assemblage of Antarctic birds and mammals close to Arctowski Station (Poland), which is frequently visited by tourist ships. An important aim of the area is to protect long-term research programmes, conducted on the site since 1976, from accidental disturbance, especially during the breeding season. Proposed by Poland
129	Rothera Point Adelaide Island	10 acres	67°34’0"S, 68°5’60"W	Rothera Point is situated in Ryder Bay, at the south-east corner of Wright Peninsula on the east side of Adelaide Island, south-west Antarctic Peninsula. The site serves as a biological research site and control area, against which the effects of human impact associated with the adjacent Rothera Research Station (UK) can be monitored in an Antarctic fellfield ecosystem. The area itself has little intrinsic nature conservation value. South polar skuas and kelp gulls nest at the site. Proposed by the United Kingdom
132	Potter Peninsula King George Island	536 acres	62°15’0"S, 58°39’-0"W	The Potter Peninsula is located on the east coast of Maxwell Bay, south-west of King George Island, between the southern tip of Mirounga Point (North-west of Potter Peninsula) and the outcrop known as “Spur 7” on the north-eastern border of Stranger Point. It hosts important bird colonies, marine mammal breeding areas and diverse vegetal species. It is close to the Argentine Jubany Base. Long-term research programmes on the breeding ecology of elephant seals and birds (carried out in the area since 1982) could be endangered by accidental disturbance, especially during breeding periods. Proposed by Argentina
133	Harmony Point, Nelson Island	12 sq miles	62°18’-0"S, 59°10’60"W	This area is located on the west coast of Nelson Island, between King George Island to the north-east and Robert Island to the south-west. It includes Harmony Point, the Toe, the adjacent ice and the surrounding marine zone. It is an area rich in avian species, with large breeding colonies of eleven seabird species, including one of the largest single colonies of chinstrap penguins in Antarctica. Vegetation cover is extensive and comprises a rich flora including mosses, lichen, and species of flowering plants. Proposed by Argentina and Chile
134	Cierva Point and offshore islands, Danco Coast	23 sq miles	64°10’0"S, 61°1’0"W	Cierva Point is located on the south coast of Cierva Cove, to the north of Hughes Bay, between the Danco and Palmer Coasts, in the north-western portion of the Antarctic Peninsula. The site sustains important avian populations, extensive vegetation and a diverse flora including the two Antarctic flowering plants, several liverworts and invertebrate fauna. The unique topography of the area together with the abundance and diversity of the vegetation create highly favourable conditions for the formation of numerous microhabitats which, in turn, support the development of biodiversity and give the area exceptional aesthetic value. Proposed by Argentina
139	Biscoe Point, Anvers Island	148 acres	64°48’-0"S, 63°46’60"W	Biscoe Point is at the western extremity of a small island located close to the southern coast of Anvers Island, in the region west of the Antarctic Peninsula known as the Palmer Archipelago. The site contains a large but discontinuous stand of the two native vascular plants of Antarctica, Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort. A relatively well developed loam occurs beneath the closed swards of the grass, and contains rich biota including the apterous midge Belgica Antarctica. It has not yet been substantially damaged by Antarctic fur seals, so the area is a potential control site for assessing Antarctic fur seal impacts on vegetation and soils in this region. It is also valuable for ornithological research. Long-term studies are being conducted on both Adélie and gentoo penguin colonies present within the area, which could be jeopardised by interference from nearby Palmer Station and from tourist ships. Proposed by the United States of America
140	Parts of Deception Island South Shetland Islands	1 sq mile	62°57’0"S, 60°37’60"W	Deception Island is an active volcano located in the South Shetland Islands The area comprises 11 sub-sites, lettered A to L (but excluding I), in a clockwise direction from the south-west of the Deception Island caldera, and referred to by the most prominent named geographical feature associated with each site. Due to major volcanic eruptions in 1967, 1969 and 1970, the island offers unique opportunities to study colonization processes in Antarctic environments. The flora of the island is unique in Antarctic terms, particularly where associated with these geothermal areas, but also because of the recently formed surfaces which provide known-age habitats for the study of colonization and other dynamic ecological processes by terrestrial organisms. Proposed by the United Kingdom
144	Discovery Bay, Greenwich Island	163 acres	62°29’6"S, 59°41’27"W	The area comprises two small areas of benthic habitat in Chile Bay. It has been the location of continuous benthic research since 1967, following the volcanic eruption on Deception island. Data being accumulated provides a baseline for long-term scientific investigations. Proposed by Chile
145	Port Foster, Deception Island	553 acres	62°55’51"S, 60°37’30"W	The area comprises two sub-areas in Port Foster, Deception Island: benthic habitat A, with depths of between 50 and 150m; and benthic habitat B, between 100 and 150 m deep. The area is of exceptional ecological interest because of its active volcanic character. It also has a diversity of benthic fauna on two different kinds of sea bottom substrates. These two habitat areas are subject to long-term research on the ecological process of recolonisation after volcanic eruption, and it is necessary to reduce the risk of accidental interference which could jeopardize these studies. Proposed by Chile
146	South Bay, Doumer Island Palmer Archipelago	237 acres	64°52’0"S, 63°34’60"W	Doumer Island lies at the south-west entrance to the Neumayer Channel. It is separated from Wiencke Island by the Peltier Channel. South Bay lies on the south coast of Doumer Island. The site consists of a small area of coastal and subtidal benthos down to 45 m depth. It is the subject of a long-term study on marine ecology, focused on the study of the relationships between the marine organisms in the area. Proposed by Chile
147	Ablation Valley and Ganymede Heights Alexander Island	42 sq miles	70°49’60"S, 68°30’0"W	Ablation Valley – Ganymede Heights is situated on the east side of Alexander Island, the largest island off the western coast of Palmer Land, Antarctic Peninsula. The site is one of the largest ice-free ablation areas in West Antarctica, making it an area of outstanding scientific interest. The site contains the only known area of unbroken exposure of rocks spanning the Jurassic – Cretaceous boundary in the Antarctic. There is also an exceptional and unique contiguous geomorphologic record of glacier and ice-shelf fluctuations extending over several thousand years, together with an outstanding assemblage of other geomorphologic features. Two perennially frozen freshwater lakes, which have the unusual property of contact with the saline waters of George VI Sound, are also a site for research activity. The area also has the greatest bryophyte diversity of any site at this latitude in Antarctica. Proposed by the United Kingdom
148	Mount Flora, Hope Bay	86 acres	63°25’0"S, 57°1’0"W	Mount Flora is situated on the south-eastern flank of Hope Bay, on the Antarctic Peninsula. The area contains rich fossil flora, which was among the first fossil floras discovered in Antarctica. It has played a significant stratigraphic role in deducing the geological history of the Antarctic Peninsula. The area requires protection because of its long history as a geological research site, and its easy accessibility makes it vulnerable to souvenir collectors. Proposed by the United Kingdom
149	Cape Shirreff and San Telmo Island, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands		62°27’30"S, 60°47’17"W	Cape Shirreff is situated on the northern coast of Livingston Island, between Barclay Bay and Hero Bay. The Antarctic fur seal and penguin breeding colonies and krill fisheries within the foraging range of these species make this a critical site for ecosystem monitoring. A survey of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula identified Cape Shirreff – San Telmo Island as the most suitable site to monitor Antarctic fur seal colonies that could be affected by fisheries around the South Shetland Islands. The fur seal colony itself is the largest in the Antarctic Peninsula region, and has undergone monitoring since 1965, making it one of the longest continuous Antarctic fur seal monitoring programmes. Proposed by the United States of America
150	Ardley Island, Maxwell Bay King George Island	301 acres	62°13’0"S, 58°54’-0"W	The area comprises most of the island, and is linked to King George Island (25 de Mayo) by an isthmus that remains submerged at high tide. The eastern part of the isthmus, that remains dry during high tide, is included in the area as it is part of the island. The island was designated as a protected area on account of the diverse assemblage of bird species that breed on it, and in order to allow a study of their ecology and the factors that affect their populations. It also possesses a developed and outstanding flora, with several species of lichens, mosses and vascular plants. Proposed by Chile
151	Lions Rump, King George Island		62°7’60"S, 58°7’0"W	Lions Rump is located on the southern coast of King George Bay, King George Island. The area is representative of the terrestrial, limnological and littoral habitats of the maritime Antarctic. There is rich lichen flora, and two native flowering plants. Twelve species of birds, including colonies of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, nest within the area. There are large numbers of elephant seals and fur seals on the beaches. The area has had minimal disturbance from human activity, except for occasional monitoring studies of the mammal and bird populations, geological and geomorphologic studies, and should be protected against damaging activities. Proposed by Poland
152	Western Bransfield Strait	354 sq miles	63°22’60"S, 62°21’0"W	This marine ASPA lies off the western and southern coasts of Low Island, South Shetland Islands. The shallow shelf south of Low Island is one of only two known sites in the vicinity of Palmer Station that are suitable for bottom trawling for fish and other benthic organisms. From an ecological standpoint, the Low Island site offers unique opportunities to study the composition, structure, and dynamics of several accessible marine communities. The Site, and in particular, its benthic fauna, is of exceptional scientific interest and requires long-term protection from potential harmful interference. Proposed by the United States of America
153	Eastern Dallmann Bay	235 sq miles	64°10’0"S, 62°49’60"W	This marine ASPA lies off the western and northern coasts of Brabant Island, Palmer Archipelago, situated 65 km west of the Antarctic Peninsula, between Brabant and Anvers Islands, with Bransfield Strait to the north and Gerlache Strait to the south. It is one of only two known sites near Palmer Station that are suitable for bottom trawling for fish and other benthic organisms. The Site and, in particular, its benthic fauna, are of exceptional scientific interest and require long-term protection from harmful interference. Proposed by the United States of America
170	Marion Nunataks, Charcot Island	69 sq miles	69°45’0"S, 75°15’0"W	Charcot Island is roughly circular in shape, approximately 50km across and is separated from north-west Alexander Island by Wilkins Sound and Wilkins Ice shelf. It is ice-covered with the exception of Marion Nunataks, which form a 7.5 mile chain of rock outcrops that overlook the mid-north coast of Charcot Island. The area was designated to protect its outstanding environmental values and to facilitate ongoing and planned scientific research. The nunataks have several unique characteristics including two lichens species that have not been recorded elsewhere in Antarctica, mosses that are rarely found at such southerly latitudes and, perhaps most significantly off all, a complete lack of predatory arthropods and Collembola which are common at all other equivalent sites within the biogeographical zone. Proposed by the United Kingdom
171	Narebski Point, Barton Peninsula King George Island	220 acres	62°14’3"S, 58°46’5"W	Narebski Point is located on the southeast coast of Barton Peninsula, King George Island. The area is rich in flora and fauna, of which the abundance of some species is exceptional. The cover of mosses and lichens is very extensive. There are large numbers of chinstrap and gentoo penguins and the breeding areas of seven other birds including the nests of the southern giant petrel. The high diversity in relief and coastal forms, due to the presence of different geologies and a prominent system of fractures, in addition to an extensive and varied vegetation cover, provides unusual scenic diversity in the Antarctic environment. Proposed by South Korea

Outside links

• Official List of ASPA sites
• ats.aq: The Official Guide to the Preparation of Management Plans for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas