Biosecurity in Antarctica

Humanity has only been visiting Antarctica for a very brief time. Captain James Cook’s ship HMS Resolution made the first recorded crossing of the Antarctic Circle in 1773, and the first person to step foot on the continent did not do so until nearly 50 years later. Even today when there are around 80 Antarctic research stations, only around 1000 people over-winter every year and there is no permanent human population. But numbers of visitors are on the increase, and this brings an increased burden of responsibility to protect this long-isolated corner of the globe.

Like anywhere in the world, travel to Antarctic carries an environmental cost through carbon emissions, from flying to gateway cities to the fuel used by the ships needed to get around. Conversely, scientists are also beginning to understand the role that the Southern Ocean around Antarctica acts as an important carbon sink. For these reasons alone it is vital that we understand the role we can play as responsible travellers to help protect this extraordinary but fragile part of our planet for future generations.

Antarctica is a place with no flags – it relies on the collaboration of all nations to protect it. In 1959 the Antarctic Treaty was signed to preserve the continent as a place of peace and science. In 1991 when Antarctic tourism was still in its infancy, a group of tour operators founded the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), a voluntary organisation that advocates for safe and environmentally responsible travel to Antarctica, in line with the tenets of the Antarctic Treaty. We are proud to be an associate member of IAATO.

IAATO has developed a set of guidelines for responsible tourism to Antarctica, as well as protocols for expedition cruise ships sailing to the white continent. These range from biosecurity protocols during a visit to codes of conduct needed at different landing sites. IAATO has also introduced monitoring of the fuel consumption of the polar fleet in order to meet the International Maritime Organisation target of at least 50% emissions reductions by 2050 compared with 2008 levels and the global goal of net zero before 2050. 

As associate members of IAATO we strictly adhere to their guidelines throughout our work. For us, that means everything from ensuring the photos on our website reflect the wildlife-watching guidance, to guaranteeing every single one of our customers receives IAATO's information booklet before departure – you can find these in your Adventure Planner.

We only work with tour operators that are part of IAATO, and who abide by regulations that will protect the continent we love. To keep up to date, every year we join hundreds of others at IAATO's annual meeting to understand the latest best practices, changing guidelines, and to contribute to the conversation about sustainable tourism in Antarctica.

The cold waters of the Antarctic convergence that constantly circle the continent and the vast buffer of sea ice that guard its shores have left Antarctica as one of the last regions on the planet to remain largely unimpacted by invasive species from the outside. As a result, the continent's ecosystems have been left to evolve undisturbed. Antarctica’s seas teem with life in a food web that reaches from the smallest phytoplankton to the largest whales, but the picture on shore is very different. Terrestrial biodiversity is incredibly low, and is restricted to a handful of simple plants such as lichens, mosses and liverworts and no animal species larger than the tiny Antarctic midge, an endemic flightless insect that is specially adapted to the frozen climate.

From the moment the first explorers brought sledge dogs to Antarctica at the beginning of the 20th century, there has been a risk of damaging these fragile systems through the introduction of non-native species. Although the Antarctic Treaty mandated the removal of the last remaining dogs in 1994, the ever-growing number of people and ships visiting Antarctica, plus the increased warming being experienced in the polar regions, mean that there is always the possibility of the accidental introduction of invasive plants and animals.

Preparation for your arrival in Antarctica begins when you are packing for your trip (take a look at our packing guidelines for some tips). Although the Virkon disinfectant used on all ships won't damage your items, it will make them wet, so we recommend taking a dry bag for when you're on shore, which will also help protect your gear from spray on a zodiac trip. If you can, avoid bags with mesh and velcro: these are perfect for accidentally catching seeds and dirt, so you should carefully pull out any organic debris before you board the ship. 

Passengers must go through a Virkon foot bath prior to boarding their zodiacs for a landing. Boots are scrubbed on returning to the ship to ensure nothing is brought on board – an important step if you've visited a site covered with lots of penguin guano! 

Each landing site you visit in Antarctica has its own specific visitor guidelines as outlined by the Antarctic Treaty, and your guides will brief you on specific codes of conduct when you land, such as restrictions on where you are allowed to walk. These are for your safety as well as that of the local wildlife. You'll be asked to follow IAATO guidelines for wildlife watching, including specific guidance for certain species. 

The key rule is you must always minimise your impact on wildlife behaviour. This includes keeping a minimum distance of 5m away from wildlife and quietly retreating if approached, and always giving animals the right of way. As well as keeping wildlife safe, this allows you to observe the unaltered behaviour of the animals – something you've travelled a long way to see.

As per IAATO regulations you should not sit, kneel or lie on the ground or snow, or place bags on the ground. The only items in contact with the ground should be the soles of your boots. Squatting or crouching down just off the ground is also not permitted. For photographers looking to get a lower angle, we recommend bringing a camera with an articulated screen. 

If you trip or slip over at any point, please make sure anything that touched the ground is disinfected when you return to the ship, paying special attention to your clothing and washing your hands carefully. Trekking poles and tripod feet must also be thoroughly cleaned, just like your boots. This is everyone's responsibility, so if you see someone in your zodiac forgetting to do this amid the excitement of completing a landing, please speak up: your guides and Antarctica's wildlife will thank you.

Avian Flu (avian influenza) is a virus that exists in wild birds and is spread by faeces and respiratory secretions. In many parts of the northern hemisphere, it already has decimated domestic poultry populations as well as wild birds – particularly seabirds. It carries a very low risk to humans but a much higher risk to animals. The virus can survive for long periods in sub-zero conditions and can easily be carried on clothing and other kit.

In October 2023, Avian Flu was detected on the island of South Georgia, leading to restrictions being put in place for some landing sites. For more information, see our Avian Flu in South Georgia page. 

As of 25th February 2024, Antarctica has a small number of confirmed cases of Avian Flu at a single site. It’s possible that this may lead to the closure of some other nearby landing sites. However, Antarctica is vast, and bursting with spectacular locations to explore and flexibility has always been key in expedition cruising. We are confident that this will not impact the experience of those on expedition voyages between now and the end of this Antarctic season at the end of March.

IAATO has worked with scientists and other researchers to introduce additional biosecurity protocols that came into effect in the 2022/23 season. These protocols are mandatory for all IAATO operators and their staff working in Antarctica. These rules will be included as part of your onboard biosecurity briefing but include the introduction of mandatory minimum distances between visitors and wildlife, and extra cleaning and disinfecting of any item that may come into contact with the Antarctic environment.

Behind the scenes, there has been much hard work to ensure that polar guides have received training on recognising Avian Flu in wild bird populations. During your visit, guiding protocols include extra scouting of landing sites before deciding to allow passengers to disembark, as well as streamlined reporting about landing sites between ships and IAATO throughout the season.

While the biosecurity procedures you'll be asked to adhere to may initially sound daunting (especially prior to travel), they quickly become a routine part of your polar visit. By sticking to the protocols and any extra advice from your guides, you can take pride in knowing that you're helping to keep Antarctica and its penguins and other wildlife safe from Avian Flu and other pathogens.