ACT ON ACTIVITIES IN THE ANTARCTIC AREA AND THE PROTECTION OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the protection of the Antarctic environment and the development of science and technology pertaining to Antarctica by providing for matters necessary for activities in the Antarctic area to actively participate in the international cooperative system for Antarctica, including the implementation of the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020>

1. The term "Antarctic area" means the land, ice shelves (large sheets of ice floating on the ocean surface that are connected to landmasses), waters, and skies in and over the area south of the 60 degree South Latitude;

2. The term "Antarctic environment" means the natural system and its dependent and associated ecosystems in the Antarctic area;

3. The term "activity in the Antarctic area" means any activity undertaken in the Antarctic area, including scientific research, installation of facilities, exploration, tourism, and other similar activities, but excluding the following activities:

(a) Simple transit through the Antarctic area by aircraft, ship, or any other means;

(b) Fishing for commercial purposes only;

4. The term "Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party" means the Contracting Party State to the Antarctic Treaty recognized as the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings under subparagraph 5 in return for the establishment of a scientific station in the Antarctic area, the dispatch of a scientific expedition to the area, or the engagement, otherwise, in substantial scientific research activities in the area;

5. The term "Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting" means any meeting held for the exchanges of information about the Antarctic area and the formulation of, and deliberation on, recommendations regarding the Antarctic area to provide such recommendations to Contracting Parties pursuant to the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (hereinafter referred to as the "Protocol");