Antarctic Proposals and Fieldwork Planning

Antarctic Permits

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Background and Legislation

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was agreed in 1991 and came into force in 1998, once it had been ratified by all 26 (now 28) Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs). The UK has enacted domestic legislation to enforce the provisions of the Protocol through the Antarctic Act 1994. This legislation introduced a very strict environmental protection regime, with which BAS must comply. UK activities in Antarctica require permits issued on behalf of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.  

Conducting activities in Antarctica without first obtaining a permit, or breaching of permit conditions, or breach of a prohibition, is an offence punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.


Types of permit required

Section 3 permit: expedition permit

Section 3 permits are required for any person on a British expedition to Antarctica. The Antarctic Funding Coordinator will ensure that all fieldwork personnel are named on the BAS Section 3 permit. Therefore, Principal Investigators of projects that will be conducting field work in the Antarctic (and sub Antarctic) do not need to apply for a Section 3 permit.

Additional permits, as identified below, are needed by Principal Investigators whose projects involve the following:

Section 6 permit: geological samples

Collecting of any geological samples – including lake and marine sediment cores. Such samples are deemed to be ‘mineral resources’.

If your project requires a Section 6 permit, submit a completed Section 6 Antarctic Permit form, to the  Antarctic Funding Office by 24th May 2013.

Section 7, 8, 9 and 11 permits

  • Section 7 permit: Interference with fauna or flora.
  • Section 8 permit: Introduction of non-native species.
  • Section 9 permit: Entry into areas protected under the Protocol (Antarctic Specially Protected Areas) or under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
  • Section 11 permit: Entry to a site used by the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP).

If your project is likely to require a Section 7, 8, 9 or 11 permit, you should contact the Antarctic Funding Office no later than 19th April 2013. BAS has delegated authority to grant permits for Section 7, 8 or 9 activities to BAS staff only.

Summary of deadlines for permit applications:

  • Section 3 permit - please see information above
  • Section 6 permit - application to be sent to the Antarctic Funding Office no later than the 24th May 2013
  • Section 7, 8, 9 and 11 permits - contact the Antarctic Funding Office no later than the 19th April 2013 if your project is likely to require a Section 7, 8, 9 or 11 permit.