Annual reports

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Annual Report 2009-10

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2010
ISSN 1441-9335

Outcome 3 - Protecting Antarctica

Advancement of Australia's strategic, scientific, environmental and economic interests in the Antarctic by protecting, administering and researching the region.

Main responsibilities for this outcome
  • Antarctic Treaty System
  • Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment protection
  • Australian Antarctic Territory and Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands administration
  • Antarctic and Southern Ocean research
 Australian Antarctic Division

Highlights

Objectives

Antarctic policy

Antarctic science

Results

Antarctic science

In 2009-10 Australia undertook a highly collaborative scientific program to support national policy and environmental management priorities. The following statistics summarise the scale of the research undertaken:

Antarctic policy

Antarctic support services

Strategies

Antarctic policy

The department, through the Australian Antarctic Division, actively participates and leads discussion in key forums including: the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM); the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP); the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).

Australia is committed to valuing and protecting Antarctica, and demonstrates this commitment by: developing internationally accepted environmental protection measures through the Antarctic Treaty system, and pursuing the agreement of other nations to them; developing, implementing and managing practical ways to minimise the effects of our own activities; restoring past work sites; and undertaking research to ensure that management of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is based on sound scientific principles and the best available scientific knowledge. Australia's research contributes to understanding environmental systems and the effects of global climate change. Australia also has a significant role in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Southern Ocean.

Antarctic science

Australia continues to undertake scientific research in accordance with: the Science Strategy for Australia's Antarctic program (2004-05 to 2010-11); Australia's National Research Priorities; and the nation's policy interests and associated government goals. This priority science supports Australia's interests in environmental protection, determining the role that Antarctica plays in the global climate system, and gaining an understanding of how organisms and ecosystems are adapting to an extreme and changing environment.

Evaluation

As well as the unanticipated involvement in the successful evacuation of an injured Chinese expeditioner, a sick French expeditioner and two US personnel from Antarctica in three separate operations, the Australian Antarctic Division successfully:

As part of its focus on improving performance, the Australian Antarctic Division pursued its roadmap objectives to achieve the following outcomes, to:

The following achievements were progressed during the year:

Case Study 1: Antarctic Ice Sheet - climate past, present and future

To gain a much better understanding of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet structure (ice thickness, ice elevation and information on the bedrock), together with its dynamics and likely future change, a joint Australian, USA and UK project ICECAP (Investigating the Cryospheric Evolution of the Central Antarctic Plate) has successfully completed the second of three summers conducting aerial geophysical surveys from Casey Station. In the 2009-10 season, nine flights out of Casey produced 17,000 line kilometres of data. Flights from McMurdo and Dumont D'Urville added data from a further 62,000 line kilometres. The data is revealing information about the ice sheet that will be fundamental for modelling to predict its future change. The data is revealing a wide variety of landscapes beneath the ice, from smoothly rolling plains in the deep basins, to large mountain ranges cut by deep valleys, and many indications of wet subglacial conditions and new lakes beneath the ice. It is also revealing areas of very deep ice that are more extensive than previously thought and regions where the ice rests on bedrock below sea-level.

A ski-equipped Basler BT-67 turboprop aircraft in flight

A ski-equipped Basler BT-67 turboprop (an upgraded DC-3) from Kenn Borek Air Ltd, of Canada, carried a suite of geophysical instruments to explore the glaciological and geological properties of the vast Aurora and Wilkes subglacial basins.

Photo: Australian Antarctic Division

The Antarctic ice sheet traps a valuable archive of past and present climate information. By retrieving ice cores scientists can answer a series of important climate questions. Variations in trace impurities trapped with the snowfall that makes up the ice carries information on past climatic conditions:

While ice cores tell us much about the past climate, ice shelves can tell us a lot about the present and likely future changes. Ice shelves are in contact with the atmosphere above, and the ocean below, making them the most vulnerable component of the Antarctic cryosphere. They have a buttressing effect on the ice sheet, slowing the discharge of inland ice from the continent, so that changes in ice shelf shape and size can affect the flow of ice from the interior of the continent.

The Amery Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in the Australian Antarctic Territory, is at the edge of the Lambert Glacier (the largest glacier in the world); that is, where it flows into (floats on) the ocean at Prydz Bay. Ocean water penetrates over 550 km under the Amery, which thins as it flows towards Prydz Bay and loses mass by calving of icebergs at its face. It is also diminished by melting where it meets ocean water underneath, an interaction with potential implications for the flow of the glaciers. Some of the supercooled water under the ice shelf flows out into Prydz Bay, where its interactions with ocean water and ice influence the bay's circulation and thus the local ecosystem. It also contributes to the formation of dense 'Antarctic Bottom Water', which ventilates the deep ocean.

In 2009-10 the Amery Ice Shelf Oceanographic Research project drilled two new 600 metre deep boreholes on the Amery Ice Shelf: the first on the marine ice flowline to enhance understanding of the re-freezing process beneath the shelf; and the second in a region of known interest for circulation patterns in the ocean cavity below the shelf. Instrument deployments at both sites should provide valuable annual cycle data over the next four to five years.

Case Study 2: Whale research in Eastern Antarctica

Whale Survey Team 2010 - Casey vicinity

Whale Survey Team 2010 - Casey vicinity.

Photo: Natalie Kelly, AAD

The Australian Antarctic Program conducted a very significant and highly successful whale research program during 2009-10 including:

Together with these two large field projects, ongoing whale population genetic and acoustic research projects, are also yielding valuable results. In 2009-10 the deployment of bottom mounted acoustic recording devices off Casey Station will enable the continuous acoustic monitoring of this location over a year-long time frame. These acoustic techniques will help provide answers to important questions about the presence, relative abundance, seasonality, movements, and distribution of Southern Ocean marine mammals, that are necessary for effective management.

Results for deliverables and performance indicators

Program 3.1: Antarctic Science, Policy and Presence

Program 3.1 Deliverables
The deliverables and further specific targets for this program are outlined in the tables below		 2009–10 Results
Delivering Australian Antarctic science for the period 2004-05 to 2010-11 that is guided by a science strategy.The effectiveness of this strategy will be reviewed and a new 5-year strategy has been developed this year. Deliverable achieved. Antarctic science has been guided by a science strategy since 2004.

New science Plan 2011-12 to 2020-21 developed and approved by the Minister for Environment Protection for publication in 2010-11.
Conducting high priority scientific research to understand the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global climate system, to protect the Antarctic environment and undertake work of practical, economic and national significance. Deliverable achieved. The department undertook scientific research in accordance with the Science Strategy for Australia's Antarctic program (2004-05 to 2010-11).
Pursuing Australia's Antarctic policy objectives through participation in the Antarctic Treaty system and related forums, including meetings of:
  • the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and the Committee for Environmental Protection;
  • the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
  • the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
  • the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs
  • the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.
Deliverable achieved. The department participated in the Antarctic Treaty system and related forums as listed in the following KPI table.
Administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, including the authorisation and management of Australian activities in accordance with relevant legislation and environmental protection measures. Deliverable achieved. The territories were administered in accordance with relevant legislation and environment protection measures.
Maintaining three stations in the Australian Antarctic Territory and one station in the sub-Antarctic, listed below:
  • Casey Station (Antarctica)
  • Davis Station (Antarctica)
  • Mawson Station (Antarctica)
  • Macquarie Island Station (sub-Antarctic).
These stations provide Australia with a permanent presence in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic and support Australia's scientific research in the region.		 Deliverable achieved. The 4 permanent research stations were maintained providing a permanent presence and support for research.
Operating a transport and logistics network using shipping and air services to:
  • transport expeditioners and cargo between Australia, Antarctica and sub-Antarctic Islands
  • support scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
 Deliverable achieved. The Aurora Australis operated 199 shipping days, the Tangaroa operated for 42 shipping days and L'Astrolabe for 12 days. Of the 253 days, 30 were externally funded for the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Program (18) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency project (12).
Key Performance Indicator 2009–10 Results
The effectiveness of the Australian Antarctic program in conducting and supporting internationally recognised scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean can be measured by the number of published scientific papers and the number of international institutions collaborating in the Australian Antarctic program. 245 scientific papers published.

Institutions from 24 countries participated.

The department has met this KPI over many years and particularly since 2004.
Governments have consistently taken the view that the Antarctic Treaty system is the best way of advancing Australia's Antarctic policy interests. The Australian Antarctic Division, as the leader of Australia's Antarctic program, plays a key role in maintaining the Antarctic Treaty system and enhancing Australia's influence in it, including through participation in its various forums. In 2009-10 Australia was active in the Antarctic Treaty system and led negotiations on a number of important initiatives in all of the scheduled meetings. These included: the 33rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the 13th meeting of the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP), the 28th meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and an Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts (ATME) on Ship-borne tourism, and another on the implications of climate change for Antarctic management and governance.

The department has met this KPI over many years.
Measures of our influence include the extent to which Australia's objectives are achieved and the number of senior positions (for example Chair or Vice-Chair held by Australia). At the 33rd ATCM, Australia was re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection for a further two-year term. Australia was also elected as the Chair of the Legal and Institutional Working Group of the ATCM. AAD scientists also continued to hold positions as convenors of two of the Scientific Committees to CCAMLR's working groups.
Australia demonstrates its commitment to protecting the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean environment by ensuring that its Antarctic program complies with all Australian Antarctic environmental protection legislation. The program's target is 100% compliance. Compliance is audited insofar as logistic support can be made available. Two potential breaches of the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 are currently being investigated.

The department has met this KPI over many years.
The program's success is dependant upon the performance of its shipping and air services. The effectiveness of these services can be measured by combining the number of expeditioners and the volume of cargo transported during the year. General cargo moved to Antarctica consisted of 12.2 tonnes by air and 1,564 tonnes by sea. Total general cargo returned to Australia was 8.77 tonnes by air and 837 tonnes by ship.

14 flights by A319 aircraft were made in direct support of the AAD, of which one flight went to McMurdo and the remaining 13 to Wilkins. 5 A319 flights were made in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) during the season, in return for two USAP LC130 flights from McMurdo to Casey skiway.

A charter to carry members of the Italian Antarctic program occurred in mid-November. This flight took Italian program members from Christchurch in New Zealand to McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

In late February 2010 a flight evacuated two USAP members from McMurdo Station to Christchurch NZ.

The flights moved a total of 337 Australian Antarctic program expeditioners to and from Antarctica and a further 410 passengers for other nations as part of our international collaboration program.

CASA 212 fixed-wing intercontinental aircraft flew over 445 hours, with helicopters flying 747 hours in support of the Australian Antarctic program during the 2009-10 Austral Summer.
The program operates permanent stations as a demonstration of Australia's continued presence and commitment. The level of utilisation (measured by the number of expeditioners and occupied bed nights) is an indicator of the program's performance in maintaining Australia's presence. The 4 permanent research stations were operated, maintained and developed.

Over the last 12 months 78.74% of bed capacity was used. This equals 33,399 bed nights.
Key Performance Indicator 2009–10 Budget Target 2009–10 Results
Scientific Research
  • number of scientific papers produced in the previous calendar year
 200 245
  • number of international institutions collaborating in the Australian Antarctic program.
 150 187
Senior positions held on Antarctic Treaty related organisations. [number] 2 4
Australian Antarctic program compliance with Antarctic environmental protection legislation. [%] 100 100
Logistics
  • number of expeditioners transported to Australia's Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic stations. [Round Trips]
 350 337
  • Volume of cargo transported to Australia's Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic stations. [Cubic Metres]
 10,000 6,852
Station Utilisation
  • number of occupied bed nights.
 35,000 33,399

Resources

Refer to Appendix 2: Resources for Outcomes - Expenses and Resources for Outcome 3.

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