Decline of periglacial zones: biodiversity at risk

Near Antarctica and the Arctic, cold regions known as 'periglacial zones'  may almost disappear by the end of the century due to climate change, according to recent research. If this happens, it will cause major harm to biodiversity and it…

No agreement on protected area off East Antarctic coast

Despite pressure from Australia, France and the EU, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) recently failed to reach agreement on creating a new Marine Protection Area (MPA) off the East Antarctic coast.…

Methane-eating bacteria found under West Antarctic ice sheet

Scientists from the University of Aberystwyth, Wales, involved in Antarctic research have found ‘methane-eating’ bacteria that act as a kind of biological filter in water samples from Lake Whillans. These potentially beneficial bacteria…

The Antarctic Treaty and its consequences

Joseph Nolan, from the European Polar Board, introduces Yves Frenot, Director of the French Polar Institute (Institut Paul Emile Victor, IPEV), who tells us about the Antarctic Treaty and the importance to protect this vulnerable environment.…

Life under the ice

A research team from Helsinki (Finland) will explore how climate change affects the marine biodiversity in Antarctica. Virtual reality will enable the general public to learn more about scientific research and findings. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/sustainability/filming-under-water-life-in-antarctica-in-360deg-virtual-reality Source:…

Défi technique : La station Halley VI du BAS se déplace

Suite au réchauffement climatique qui touche tout particulièrement le continent Antarctique, l’actuelle station de recherche britannique Halley VI a dû être déplacée sur 23 km. La base britannique a été créée en 1956 et a justement…
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Belém agreement: expanding research in the Southern Ocean

In July, there was an announcement about the European Union expanding its research agreements with Brazil and South Africa. This 'Belem statement' is primarily about the South Atlantic. But oceans are connected to one another, so it is important…
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Expédition en Antarctique: Chronique de Concordia, Conférence de Didier Schmitt

Le 2 octobre dernier, notre collègue Didier Schmitt, Conseiller sur les questions spatiales au Service d'action extérieure européen https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/eeas_fr nous a raconté sa fantastique épopée…

Volcanoes discovered under ice

Scientists recently discovered almost 100 volcanoes below Antarctica. That was totally unexpected. Volcanic eruptions could melt the ice from beneath. Scientists are actively working to check how active are these volcanoes. The alarming theory…
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About fisheries

Sustainable fishing in antarctic waters is a serious issue. Ernesto Penas Lado, a Commission colleague, gives us a documented overview about the EU policy on fisheries in his book ".The Common fisheries policy: the quest for sustainability".…