IAATO: an association of Antarctic tour operators

Abstract

NOTES alongside a large ice floe about 2 km away. Initially, conditions were foggy with visibility limited to 200 m or less. Later it cleared, but there was heavy snowfall, and, by 16:30, a pallid sun appeared through the mist. There was virtually no wind, and the mean air temperature was 0°. The ship remained at the site until 17:30 (Moscow time); no birds were sighted while the vessel was stationary near the Pole. A ringed seal (Phoca hispida) made a brief appearance in the open water behind the vessel. Two of the ship's domestic animals were brought onto the ice.At 18:15 a black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) was spotted at 89°58.9'N, 74°58.5'E, flying north. By this time, the sky was partially clear and visibility was at least 3 km. The adult-plumaged gull flew within 100 m of the slow-moving ship and proceeded along the channel through the ice made by the icebreaker over the Pole. There can be little question that the gull flew directly over the Pole.Icebreakers going to the North Pole possibly influence bird distribution. North of Zemlya Frantsa-Iosifa, large numbers of black-legged kittiwakes and some northern fulmars often followed the ship, presumably feeding in the open water of the resulting channel. As the vessel crashed through the ice, small fish (5-8 cm) were swept onto the surface. The kittiwakes immediately swooped down and consumed them. The broken ice probably also brought other food to the surface that would normally be inaccessible to the birds. The lower surface of the young ice, as well as the multi-year ice broken and over-turned by the ship, was often yellowish in colour, presumably a result of diatomaceous growth. Dark stringy algae were also observed in the ice below water level and on the bottom of overturned ice. Such growth was observed as far as 90°N. Thus, opportunistic birds encountering the partly open water of the icebreaker channel might follow it, ultimately being led to the Pole. These considerations cannot apply to submarines or aircraft, however.

Guidelines for people approaching breeding groups of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae)

“…Voluntary guidelines exist that specify minimum approach distances to Antarctic penguins as well as codes of personal behaviour that people should adopt when moving around breeding penguins. Approach distances of 5 m are commonly deemed appropriate (Naveen and others 1989;Stonehouse 1992), and, generally, visitors are instructed, in relatively non-specific terms, to 'avoid [causing] disturbance' to the animals (Naveen and others 1989: 6). However, the precedent for such recommendations appears indeterminable, and the impacts of these approach distances and visitor behaviours on the penguins has received limited scientific assessment (but see Wilson and others 1991).…”

Antarctic tourists: ambassadors or consumers?

“…Also in 1991, a group of Antarctic operators formed the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to represent the industry to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties, national science organisations and the worldwide public (Stonehouse 1992). Currently Antarctic tourism is largely self-managed through IAATO guidelines although the ATP, during the 1994 Kyoto Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, adopted two recommendations to manage the tourism industry: the Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic and the Guidance for those Organizing and Conducting Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in the Antarctic.…”

Centennial of Historic Huts in Antarctica: A Tourism Attraction

“…Nearly all operators are members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), founded in 1991 'to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible privatesector travel to the Antarctic' (from IAATO Bylaws). Further information on IAATO, its history, and performance since 1991 can be found in Stonehouse (1992) and Splettstoesser (2000), and at the IAATOwebsite-http:/ /www.iaato.org.…”