§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are in breach of the treaty protecting the Antarctic environment in the light of the existence of dilapidated whaling stations on South Georgia and Deception Island and the disused drums and gas canisters at Holluschickie Bay, James Ross Island, and what steps they intend to take to remove these items. [HL1962]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe obligation to clean up abandoned work sites in the Antarctic Treary 7WA area, is held under Annex III of the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty. No timetable for clean-up is set, however. The UK, through the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), had already removed significant quantities of waste from such sites even before the Protocol entered into force. BAS's current waste management practices fully conform with the requirements of the Protocol.
South Georgia lies outside the Antarctic Treaty area. It is not therefore bound by Antarctic Treaty regulations. Nevertheless the whaling stations on the Island are Crown Property. A major clean-up was undertaken in 1991–92. Due to concerns over further deterioration of the stations, a survey has been carried out this austral summer, with a view to further clean-up. The findings of that survey are awaited and will be incorporated into the Environmental Management Plan for the island which the Government of South Georgia will publish in the autumn.
Clean-up of the Whaling Station area on Deception Island is complicated by the fact that several Treaty Parties are involved and that the site has been designated as an Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty. Nevertheless the UK has already mounted two major clean-up campaigns in Whalers' Bay on Deception and, in view of ongoing wind damage to the buildings, consideration will be given to further clean-up. A survey of the site was undertaken in January this year.
The materials at Holluschickie Bay on James Ross Island are not believed to be British.