Policy & Access

Policy & AccessOct 29, 2026

IAATO publishes responsible communication guidance

IAATO issued responsible-communication guidance. Aurora tests AI fuel saving. Swan Hellenic adds an Antarctic photo program for 2026-27.

Policy & AccessOct 29, 2026

IAATO Communications Director Explains Its Responsibility Message

IAATO's communications director explains why the operator group does not set visitor caps and how the Treaty framework shapes its message.

Policy & AccessOct 25, 2026

IAATO Adds South Orkney Geofenced Whale Area for 2026-27 Season

IAATO will add a 10-knot voluntary speed zone around the South Orkney Islands for the 2026-27 season, starting November 1.

Policy & AccessOct 15, 2026

CCAMLR opens in Hobart with Peninsula MPA and krill on agenda

CCAMLR's Hobart meeting opened with the Peninsula MPA and krill management as priorities, while Scenic Eclipse II showed its rough-sea credentials.

Policy & AccessOct 13, 2026

ATCM 48 Closes Without Emperor Penguin Protection

The 48th Antarctic Treaty meeting closed in Hiroshima with emperor penguins still unprotected and tourism rules still voluntary, ASOC warns.

Policy & AccessOct 10, 2026

IAATO responds to study of 25 guides who quit over moral conflict

IAATO calls a study of 25 former Antarctic guides who quit a valuable perspective, while noting it does not represent all 6,605 guides.

Policy & AccessSep 14, 2026

Krill fishery hits catch limit by 12 August, closing early

The Area 48 krill fishery hit its 620,000-tonne cap on 12 August, the second early closure in a row, with catches concentrated in key feeding grounds.

Policy & AccessSep 2, 2026

New Zealand starts building the new Scott Base

New Zealand awarded the Scott Base rebuild to LT McGuinness with a 498 million NZD budget, after the 2023 pause. Completion is set for 2030.

Policy & AccessSep 2, 2026

US expeditioner flown out of Antarctica in midwinter medical rescue

An Australian Antarctic Division A319 flew from Hobart to McMurdo in winter darkness to retrieve a US expeditioner, showing how polar medevacs are staged.

Policy & AccessSep 2, 2026

Emperor penguin protection stalls as ATCM-48 closes in Hiroshima

ATCM-48 ended in Hiroshima without binding tourism rules or protected status for emperor penguins, despite an endangered listing and alarming science.

Policy & AccessSep 2, 2026

Norway to host the IPY-5 coordination office

Norway, Korea and Chile will run the IPY-5 coordination office from Tromsø, with a $10 million budget over nine years. IPY-5 itself runs in 2032-33.

Policy & AccessSep 2, 2026

Domain One: Antarctic Surfing Film Follows a Failed MPA Bid

Two brothers surf Antarctic waters in Domain One while scientists push for a Marine Protected Area. The proposal fails, blocked by Russia and China.

Policy & AccessSep 1, 2026

Ukraine and Indonesia sign five-year Antarctic research pact

Ukraine will host Indonesian scientists at Akademik Vernadsky and on the icebreaker Noosphere from December under a new five-year research agreement.

Policy & AccessSep 1, 2026

Australia closes Macquarie Island ahead of H5 bird flu season

Australia is withdrawing 24 staff from Macquarie Island research station ahead of forecast H5 bird flu. The move reflects updated biosecurity planning for sub-Antarctic operations.

Policy & AccessSep 1, 2026

IAATO Implements 10-Knot Speed Limit Around South Orkney Islands

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators is implementing a voluntary 10-knot speed limit for member vessels around the South Orkney Islands starting in the 2026-27 season, responding to scientific evidence of whale population recovery in the region.

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