Managing the frozen commons - Antarctica: Global Science from a Frozen Continent - page 298

Figure 10.12 Patagonian tooth sh, the

primary target of the illegal fishing
in the Southern Ocean. (Credit: Paul
Rodhouse, BAS)

Operators) and ASOC (Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition), the umbrella
organisation of the environmental groups. Both have around 100 members, are based in
the United States, and are invited to participate at the ATCMs. ASOC maintains that
tourism should be restricted to reduce the environmental impacts, while IAATO
maintains that tourism is a legal activity and that they are leading in their adherence
to the Environmental Protocol. Some maintain that tourism is an activity for the
pleasure of the individual, and so higher environmental standards should be set for
such presence compared with science that advances public knowledge. Others maintain
that tourism also functions as an important vehicle for positive promotion of Antarctica
anditsmanagement,asthosewhogototheAntarcticgenerallyarehighlydedicated
people.
Whatever the merit of these arguments, it can be seen that tourism increased
greatly until 2007 08, when it reached a maximum with 32 000 visitors going ashore

from cruise ships, and an additional 13 500 observing from over

-

ying aircraft or cruise
ships. The numbers have decreased strongly since then, presumably because of global

finances. Recent prohibition of use of heavy fuels is also likely to reduce the number of