Applicable institutions depend on the location relative to 60°S, the CCAMLR Convention Area, protected areas and relevant national maritime positions.
Southern Ocean governance
Ocean iron fertilisation: Antarctic and CCAMLR waters.
Antarctic Treaty geography, the CCAMLR Convention Area and national implementing systems overlap but are not interchangeable.
Jurisdiction
Location and activity classification.
- 01
- 02
The expedition’s authorizing Party, vessel flag, operator and ports establish connections to national implementing authorities.
- 03
Environmental evaluation, CCAMLR conservation measures, protected-area and species rules, marine-pollution controls and national legislation may apply together.
Competent authorities
Regulatory bodies and rightsholders.
- Relevant national Antarctic competent authority
- Antarctic Treaty environmental-assessment process
- CCAMLR and the relevant Member authority
- Protected-area and species authorities
- Flag, loading and port States
Legal conditions
Applicable legal frameworks.
- The Environmental Protocol requires prior assessment of Antarctic activities and contains dedicated annexes for EIA, fauna and flora, waste, marine pollution and protected areas.
- A potentially more-than-minor-or-transitory impact triggers the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation pathway described by the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat.
- Applicable CCAMLR conservation measures and ecosystem obligations depend on the activity and location.
- LC/LP and flag/loading/port rules may remain relevant alongside Antarctic institutions.
Project-specific questions
Applicability and authorization.
- Which Party has jurisdiction over the expedition and implements the Protocol process?
- What impact level applies and is an IEE or CEE required?
- Which current CCAMLR conservation measures, MPAs or research rules intersect the footprint?
- How are cumulative, downstream and dependent-ecosystem effects assessed?
Primary legal sources
Official sources.
Treaty participation, territorial application and national implementing law determine which obligations apply.
Related jurisdictions