Don’t Pack a Pest

The Antarctic Treaty prohibits introducing non-native species to Antarctica. As a guest to the Antarctic, you have an crucial role in protecting the white continent’s unique environment. Thank you for doing your part!

ANTARCTICA AT RISK 

Non-native species are organisms that do not naturally occur in an area and are most frequently associated with human activity. They have both direct and indirect impacts on the Antarctic ecosystem which has been documented in many regions of the Antarctic. 

Examples of non-native species and related items include, but are not limited to: 

• Plants: Seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, dried plants 

• Animals: Rodents, insects, feathers 

• Soil: Mud, dirt, rocks 

• Microscopic organisms: Bacteria, yeast

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME: INSPECT & CLEAN YOUR GEAR 

Inspect and clean your belongings before you leave home. This will enable you to meet biosecurity measures in countries you will travel through and is essential before boarding your flight or vessel to Antarctica. If you are trekking, backpacking, guiding, hiking or visiting farms before your trip, this is especially important. 

Thoroughly examine and clean everything you plan to bring. Non-native species can hitch a ride on many types of gear including: 

• Boots and shoes 

• Trouser cuffs

• Pockets 

• Velcro®, fleece, and outer clothing. Bringing any clothing or equipment with Velcro is discouraged. 

• Backpacks and camera bags 

• Outdoor equipment, including research gear 

• Hiking poles and tripods 

WHEN IN ANTARCTICA / SUB-ANTARCTIC: PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION

It’s important to avoid transporting any species between regions within Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. Always inspect your gear between locations and clean it thoroughly to minimise the potential to inadvertently spread species. 

When traveling on a vessel and participating in shore landings, utilise the on-board “boot wash” station to clean and disinfect boots, clothing, hiking poles, traction devices, etc., prior to going ashore and when you return to the vessel. The boot-washing station is a facility on the vessel, at the head of the gangway, or close to where passengers board the ship. It allows staff, crew and guests to thoroughly disinfect, brush and clean debris from boots and clothing, ensuring complete decontamination. The disinfectant should not be rinsed off but allowed to air-dry thoroughly on articles. 

Non-native species can’t always be seen with the naked eye, so please do your best to clean thoroughly. 

Be careful when walking in areas that contain organic matter as this can be easily transported to other sensitive areas. Try not to put equipment on the ground. Anything that touches the ground, such as backpacks, will need to be checked and disinfected. 

STEPS TO PROTECT THE ANTARCTIC AND SUB-ANTARCTIC
1.   Clean And Check Your Gear between landings, camps and regions: This includes boots, equipment cases, day packs, clothing, and anywhere else that non-native species could hide. If you are moving between sites, camps or regions, clean clothing and gear thoroughly before leaving the site and use a disinfectant wash. Ensure the disinfectant dries on boots and equipment between landings.

2.   Report a “Pest”: All non-native species are considered “pests” to the Antarctic environment. Tell your guides if you think you have found a non-native species. You guides will contact environmental@usap.gov to report any findings of non-native species.3.  Clean your gear regularly. This includes boots, equipment, day packs and camera bags, trouser hems and turn-ups, fleece clothing Velcro® fasteners for outer clothing, etc.

3.   Spread the Word: Share this information with others. We all contribute to the health of the Antarctic environment!