Antarctica

April 1, 1981 Resolutions

Number: 1981-02

 

WHEREAS, the Antarctic Continent is one of the last unspoiled natural environments in the world, offering an area of unparalled importance for baseline and other scientific studies; and

WHEREAS, the highly simplified ecosystems of Antarctica are extremely fragile and slow to recover from any disturbance; and

WHEREAS, while a huge continent, Antarctica has only a small ice-free coastline and it is extremely important to living resources of the region; and

WHEREAS, oil companies from several countries appear willing to begin exploration activities in Antarctica; and

WHEREAS, onshore developments will have major impacts on seals, birds and other living resources; and

WHEREAS, oil drilling in offshore shelf areas will be extremely hazardous due to the presence of enormous ice masses which move about in high winds; and

WHEREAS, oil spills might result in damage to krill, the basis for the entire marine ecosystem and an important food source, as well as to whales, including several endangered species;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, hereby expresses it support of the following principles:

  1. That the United States should support early ratification of the Convention of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which embodies an important ecosystem conservation standard;
  2. That governments signatory to the Convention should:
    • immediately begin research to determine whether krill fishing will harm the recovery of endangered whale species;
    • design and fund at adequate levels the types of cooperative, long-term biological research needed to implement the ecosystem standard;
    • ban krill fishing in feeding zones of blue and humpback whales until research determines safe limits of krill harvest;
    • protect endangered whales from krill fishing and oil exploration activities; and
    • protect Antarctica and its surrounding oceans from oil exploration and development unless these activities are performed in closely regulated and environmentally-acceptable manners monitored by an international organization with enforcement capabilities.