effort involves scientists from Argentina and Chile, as well as 

 from the United States. 



The Bahia Paraiso was the third ship to sink in the 

 Antarctic since 1980. In December 1981, the Gotland II , an ice- 

 strengthened West German research ship, sank off the coast of 

 northern Victoria Land. In January 1986, the Southern Quest , a 

 private expedition ship, sank near McMurdo Station. The latter 

 two ships were crushed by the pack ice and sank in deep water. 



As tourism and other human activities increase in 

 Antarctica, the potential for such accidents increases. 

 Therefore, as noted earlier, it is becoming increasingly 

 important to identify and take such steps as may be possible to 

 avoid and minimize the environmental impacts of such accidents. 

 In 1990, the Commission will work with the Department of State, 

 the National Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies to 

 assist in promoting development of contingency plans and other 

 measures to avoid and minimize pollution of the Southern Ocean. 



New International Interest in Antarctica 



As noted in previous Commission reports, there is growing 

 international interest in Antarctica. This growing interest 

 reflects, in part, recognition of the unigue scientific value of 

 Antarctica and the influence of Antarctica on global climate and 

 weather patterns. The interest also reflects efforts by a number 

 of countries to identify and exploit undeveloped fishery 

 resources in areas not under national jurisdiction, and 

 speculation about potential non-living mineral resources, 

 particularly possible offshore oil and gas resources. In 

 addition, as noted earlier, there is also growing interest in 

 tourism and an increasing tourist industry. 



Speculation about possible non-living resources appears to 

 have been a major factor in stimulating an initiative started by 

 Malaysia in 1983 to involve the United Nations in Antarctic 

 matters. In 1989, the "Question of Antarctica" was raised again 

 during the Forty-fourth Session of the United Nations General 

 Assembly. A resolution subsequently adopted by the General 

 Assembly urges all members of the international community to 

 support efforts to ban mineral prospecting and mining in and 

 around Antarctica; expresses the conviction that the estab- 

 lishment, through negotiations with the full participation of all 

 members of the international community, of Antarctica as a nature 

 reserve or a world park would insure the protection and 

 conservation of Antarctica and its dependent and associated 



The information summarized here is derived from reports 

 published in the June 1989 edition of the Antarctic Journal of 

 the United States . 



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