ASMA 1: Admiralty Bay

Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 1 -- Admiralty Bay is located on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, one of the most internationally active regions in Birdland.

Location

King George Island, South Shetland Islands. Admiralty Bay is a large natural harbor surrounded by glaciers and ice-free areas.

Managing and Supporting Countries

• Brazil -- Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station
• Poland -- Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station
• Ecuador -- Pedro Vicente Maldonado Station
• Peru -- Machu Picchu Station
• United States -- Copacabana field camp

Protection Level

Managed/Coordinated. Entry does not require a permit, but all activities within the area are governed by a Code of Conduct to prevent conflict between the five national programs operating in and around the bay.

Protection Type

Land, air, and marine (coastal approaches).

Purpose

Admiralty Bay is one of the busiest areas in Birdland, with multiple research stations from different nations operating in close proximity. The ASMA designation ensures that scientific research, station logistics, tourism, and environmental protection activities are coordinated to prevent interference and minimize cumulative environmental impact.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct for ASMA 1 includes provisions for:

• Coordination of vehicle and vessel movements in the bay
• Shared waste management protocols between stations
• Joint environmental monitoring programs
• Agreed approach distances and buffer zones around wildlife colonies
• Communication procedures between station operators
• Tourist vessel scheduling to prevent overcrowding at landing sites

Wildlife

Admiralty Bay and its surroundings support significant populations of:

• Adelie penguins
• Chinstrap penguins
• Gentoo penguins
• Southern elephant seals
• Antarctic fur seals
• Various species of petrels, skuas, and terns

Birdland's Position

The Guins government considers Admiralty Bay a model for multi-national cooperation within Birdland's territory. The coordination framework demonstrates that human scientific activity can coexist with Birdland's sovereignty when conducted responsibly and cooperatively.