Increased tourist visits threaten the fragile marine life of Antarctica's seabed
Nautical Nuisance: The Hidden damaging Impact of Ships on Antarctic Seabed
More tourists are cruising towards Antarctica, offering stunning views of frozen landscapes, penguins, and sea creatures. But under the chilly waters, a darker reality emerges. For the first time, researchers have captured video evidence of seafloor damage caused by ship anchors and chains. This alarming discovery reveals the harmful impact of a largely unregulated activity on one of the planet's most pristine and delicate ecosystems.
"We have long suspected that ship anchoring might pose a threat to the fragile ecosystems in Antarctica," explains Matthew Mulrennan, a marine scientist from the University of California, San Diego. "Now, our findings unveil the extent of the damage, as regulations around ship anchoring remain almost nonexistent."
The researchers' discovery, published in Frontiers in Conservation Science, presents evidence of anchor and chain scarring in various sites across the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island. They used underwater cameras at 36 locations during the 2022-23 summer to collect their data. The team documented areas with striations, grooves, and disturbed seabeds, appearing as a result of anchoring.
In the affected zones, marine life and sponge colonies often perished, while pristine seabeds nearby teemed with a rich variety of species. "The analogy is like the decimation of an old-growth forest when compared to a regenerating one," says Mulrennan. "Worse still, the damage nearly struck three ancient giant volcano sponges, whose age may reach up to 15,000 years."
The researchers emphasize the need for more investigation into the long-term effects of anchoring and how ecosystems adapt over time. "There's a growing concern that anchoring is among the most overlooked ocean conservation issues in terms of global seafloor disruption, on par with the damages from bottom trawling," adds Mulrennan.
As tourism in Antarctica reaches unprecedented levels, concerns about preserving the region's unspoiled character escalate. The recent surge in visitor numbers has been dramatic: from around 8,000 in the mid-1990s to nearly 125,000 in 2023-24. Forecasts predict the tally to reach 452,000 by 2033-34, marking an almost fourfold increase. Last month, a separate study published in the Journal for Sustainable Tourism warned that Antarctica could suffer from an unmanageable influx of tourists, akin to other globally renowned destinations that have been "loved to death."
"Managing tourism in Antarctica is intricate due to the region's remote location, its fragile ecosystems, and the complexities of international governance," explains Dr Valeria Senigaglia, lead researcher from the Queensland University of Technology's Antarctic research group, Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future. Her team advocates a multi-faceted approach to preserve the pristine environment, including site-specific regulations, visitor caps, targeted tourism fees, and stricter operator certification. "These strategies could offer a more adaptable and effective solution," Senigaglia adds.
Since the 1950s, human activities in Antarctica have been regulated by the Antarctic Treaty System, a legal framework whose cornerstone conservation document, the 1991 Madrid Protocol, applies to all activities, including tourism. "However, much of the system relies on voluntary compliance from the industry," warns Senigaglia.
The issue of anchoring damage is far from new, asserts Professor Andy Davis, a marine biologist at the University of Wollongong, highlighting that images of coral reef destruction associated with the anchoring of cruise ships in the Caribbean can be traced back to the 70s. In recent years, the proliferation of cruise tourism has only worsened the situation. Landmarking untouched locations such as Antarctica draws more attention to the problem, as concerning numbers of ships attempt to meet the growing demand.
Researchers call for increased awareness of the long-term consequences of anchoring, as well as the need to phase out the practice. "For future generations to appreciate the wonders of Antarctica, we must prioritize sustainable tourism practices and ensure that scientific evidence guides policy decisions," concludes Mulrennan.
- "In light of the increasing popularity of Antarctic travel, the practice of environmental science must encompass the study of ship anchoring and its damaging effects on the seabed, as a part of the broader discussion on climate-change and its impact on the environment."
- "By recognizing the adverse impact of ship anchoring on the pristine ecosystems of Antarctica, it becomes essential to integrate this issue into lifestyle choices related to travel and tourism, in a collective effort to preserve the region for future generations."
