The Antarctic Conservation Act, enacted in 1978 by the
95th United States Congress (), and amended by , is a
United States federal law
The law of the United States comprises many levels of Codification (law), codified and uncodified forms of law, of which the supreme law is the nation's Constitution of the United States, Constitution, which prescribes the foundation of the ...
that addresses the issue of
environmental conservation Environmental conservation may refer to:
* Environmental protection
* Nature conservation
{{disambiguation ...
on the continent of
Antarctica
Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. ...
. The Departments of
the Treasury,
Interior and
Commerce
Commerce is the organized Complex system, system of activities, functions, procedures and institutions that directly or indirectly contribute to the smooth, unhindered large-scale exchange (distribution through Financial transaction, transactiona ...
are responsible for the Act's enforcement.
The Act can be found in .
Purpose
Until the 1960s, few rules existed regarding activities in Antarctica. Fishing, whaling and sealing were uncontrolled, and various species were threatened with extinction. Tourists and research stations littered and polluted. In 1961 the
Antarctic Treaty was established to protect the continent, and establishes major restrictions and responsibilities on visitors and uses.
As part of its responsibilities as a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, the United States passed the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 to establish rules for all U.S. citizens, U.S. corporations, and certain persons who participate in U.S. government expeditions visiting or operating in Antarctica, as well as U.S. citizens who handle certain Antarctic animals and plants, and other persons handling Antarctic animals and plants while in the U.S.
The act makes it:
“(…) unlawful, unless authorized by permit, to:
#take native mammals or birds
#enter specially designated areas
#introduce nonindigenous species to Antarctica
#use or discharge designated pollutants
#discharge wastes
#import certain antarctic items into the United States”
Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978
See also
* Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora
References
External links
Summary from Federal Wildlife Laws HandbookAntarctic Conservation Act
National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an Independent agencies of the United States government#Examples of independent agencies, independent agency of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that su ...
1978 in American law
1978 in international relations
United States federal environmental legislation
Antarctica agreements
Environment of Antarctica
1978 in the environment
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