Antarctic conservation

Press, 15 February 1986, Page 5

Antarctic conservation

PA Wellington A New Zealand organisation focused solely on Antarctic conservation will be established, says the Antarctic campaigner, Ms Cath Wallace.

The formation of the Antarctic conservation network was agreed to at a meeting of about 150 people in Wellington, Ms Wallace said.

She said it would be sponsored by the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (A.5.0.C.) of organisations. Ms Wallace said there was a need for a New

Zealand organisation concerned with Antarctic conservation, and that the new group would eventually join A.S.O.C. and the Environment and Conservation Organisations (E.C.C.). The public meeting was attended by members of the Greenpeace Antarctic campaign who have returned from the Ross Sea.

The meeting also resolved to urge:

• The New Zealand Government to support and negotiate the establishment of Antarctica as a protected international

wilderness area for ever. • The New Zealand Government to oppose the exploration for or extraction of minerals in Anrrti r* Ji • The Antarctic Treaty Consultative parties to open up the treaty meetings to non-governmental organisations and to greater public scrutiny. The meeting was addressed by Ms Wallace, a Canterbury University biologist, Dr Laurie Greenfield, and the Greenpeace Antarctic campaign co-ordinator, Mr Peter Wilkinson.