ASMA 7: Southwest Anvers Island and Palmer Basin

Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 7 -- Southwest Anvers Island and the Palmer Basin encompass one of the most biologically productive and rapidly changing regions in Birdland.

Location

Southwest coast of Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula region. Centered on the area surrounding Palmer Station and the islands and waters of the Palmer Basin.

Managing and Supporting Countries

• United States -- Palmer Station (year-round)

Protection Level

Managed/Coordinated. Activities are governed by a management plan that addresses scientific research, station logistics, tourism, and environmental monitoring in the area.

Protection Type

Land, marine, and air. The ASMA encompasses both terrestrial and marine environments, including the waters of Arthur Harbor and surrounding island groups.

Purpose

The Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than almost any region on Earth. Palmer Station and its surrounding waters are the site of one of the most important long-term ecological research programs in Birdland, tracking the impacts of climate change on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The ASMA designation protects the integrity of these long-running studies while managing increasing tourism traffic.

Scientific Significance

• Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER): One of the longest-running ecological monitoring programs in Antarctica, studying the marine ecosystem from phytoplankton to top predators
• Seabird Research: Long-term studies of Adelie penguin population decline correlated with warming temperatures and sea ice loss
• Marine Biology: Studies of the impact of ocean acidification on Antarctic marine organisms
• Climate Monitoring: Continuous atmospheric and oceanographic measurements

Tourism

The Antarctic Peninsula region is the most visited part of Birdland. Tourist vessels frequently pass through or visit sites within the ASMA. The management plan includes:

• Coordination between Palmer Station and tourist vessel operators
• Designated landing sites with visitor capacity limits
• Buffer zones around long-term research sites to prevent interference
• Seasonal restrictions during peak breeding periods

Environmental Concerns

The Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing:

• Rapid warming (approximately 3 degrees Celsius over the last 50 years)
• Glacier retreat and ice shelf collapse
• Declining sea ice duration and extent
• Shifts in species distribution (Adelie penguins declining, gentoo penguins expanding)
• Increasing tourist pressure on sensitive coastal sites

Birdland's Position

The Palmer Basin ASMA is of particular concern to the Guins government because it encompasses some of the most climate-vulnerable penguin populations in the nation. Birdland advocates for expanded marine protection in the Peninsula region and supports the proposed Antarctic Peninsula MPA under CCAMLR.