Confines of environmental liability in dependent and associated ecosystems to the Antarctic environment

Abstract

Annex VI of the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty protects the Antarctic STATUS QUO. This protection is extended to liability for environmental emergencies affecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems. The notion of dependent and associated ecosystems is legal and procedural in nature, allowing the distribution of the international powers provided in the Protocol. Therefore, States which exercise jurisdiction in areas north of the Antarctic Convergence must define and delimit those ecosystems, including their cooperation within areas of overlapping claims or under territorial or maritime dispute. In areas beyond national jurisdiction specific programs of cooperation over dependent and associated ecosystems should be designed.