Bill On Protection Of Antarctica

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 1

Bill On Protection Of Antarctica

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 9. Measures aimed at conserving and protecting Antarctic fauna and flora are contained in the Antarctica Amendment Bill, introduced in Parliament today.

Enactment of the bill will allow the Government to pass regulations prohibiting the wilful killing, injuring, molesting or taking of any native mammal or native bird in Antarctica, unless a permit has been issued.

Native plants will be protected in prescribed areas, vehicles and aircraft will be barred from such areas, and importation of most animals or plants will be banned. The regulations, when passed, will apply to New Zealanders in the Antarctic as members of an expedition, aircraft or ships’ crews, or merely visiting citizens. The measures have been adopted by parties to the Antarctic Treaty. Provisions for permits will allow the taking of specimens so long as animals or birds can normally be replaced by natural reproduction in the next breeding season, or if the natural balance of the ecology is maintained. Harmful Acts Acts and activities described by the bill as harmful are: allowing dogs to run free, operation of aircraft and vehicles within 200 yards of concentrations of birds or animals, the use of explosives or firearms within a similar range of a concentration, or disturbance of bird or seal colonies by “persistent attention” from people on foot. Animals and plants that may be imported are: sledge dogs, domestic animals and plants, and laboratory, animals and plants. But dogs must be inoculated. Live poultry is banned. The bill, introduced by the Minister of Science (Mr Talboys) was given a first reading. _