Hydrographic Surveying and Charting in the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica
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WP 4 Agenda Item: ATME 3(a)(ii) Presented by: New Zealand Original: English New Zealand: Hydrographic Surveying and Charting In the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica 1 WP 4 New Zealand: Hydrographic Surveying and Charting In the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica Adam Greenland, New Zealand National Hydrographer, Land Information New Zealand Hydrographic Survey Coverage of Antarctica The majority of the Antarctic sea area remains unsurveyed or requires a modern re-survey. Less than 1% of the sea area within the 200m contour has been adequately surveyed to meet the needs of contemporary shipping entering Antarctic waters. It is important that vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area should be aware of the limitations regarding the adequacy of charts for the region. To date, the greatest effort has been focused on the Antarctic Peninsula Maritime Shipping Routes (MSR) and approaches to permanent scientific bases. Hydrographic Information Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is responsible for maintaining and delivering the NZ Government’s land and seabed information including information in respect of the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. LINZ’s survey, topographic mapping, hydrographic charting and place naming activities collectively provide key elements of a spatial infrastructure. LINZ is the government department responsible for providing authoritative hydrographic information for the primary purpose of safety of navigation. New Zealand is a member state of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and LINZ is the national hydrographic authority. Surveying and Charting in Antarctica New Zealand is a full member of the IHO Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA) which is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in International (INT) Region M - the Antarctic. Membership is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty. LINZ, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade attended the most recent HCA meeting held in South Africa in October 2009 and presented a comprehensive national report with details of past, current and intended surveys and charting activities within the Ross Sea Region. The aims of the HCA include technical cooperation in the domain of hydrographic surveying, marine cartography and nautical information within the region. In particular; to implement the INT chart scheme for the region and monitor its suitability, to define the needs for new surveys and if necessary to develop a cooperative approach to meet those needs. Essentially, the HCA works to promote, facilitate, stimulate and encourage a multilateral approach to hydrographic activity within the region. This ensures the 2 WP 4 widest possible participation and cooperation across IHO member states, relevant international organisations, industry bodies and scientific organisations. In recent years the IHO has been active in raising awareness of surveying and charting issues with Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) nations at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM). This has culminated in the adoption of Resolution 3 (2003) – ATCM XXVI – Cooperation in hydrographic survey and charting of Antarctic waters, and Resolution 5 (2008) – ATCM XXXI – Improving hydrographic surveying and charting to support safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Antarctic region. These Resolutions constitute a firm commitment by Antarctic Treaty Parties to undertake steps to improve the quality and coverage of hydrographic data in the region. NZ Hydrographic Surveying Activities During the 2001 and 2004 survey seasons LINZ contracted the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) to undertake a safety of navigation survey of a new MSR within the Western Ross Sea Region. The NIWA research vessel Tangaroa conducted the surveys using the survey launch Pelorus for shallow inshore survey work. The proposed survey area extended from Cape Adare in the north to Cape Hallett in the south, along the east coast of Victoria Land. These were identified as areas of more frequent maritime traffic, including research and commercial tourist traffic. It included three specific chart areas of Cape Adare and Cape Hallett (INT 9006) and the Possession Islands (INT 9007) as well as the MSR connecting all three areas and anchorages. In 2001 an initial lack of sea ice enabled the capture of hydrographic data in the areas of Cape Hallett and Possession Islands. Incoming sea ice forced the ship north before they could complete coverage of the Cape Adare area. Further survey work was conducted around the Balleny Islands. In 2004 the survey recommenced off Cape Adare, being the area of highest priority. However due to deteriorating weather and the increasing presence of pack ice Cape Adare was abandoned for the Balleny Islands where more productive survey work could be accomplished. In summary the various charts that existed for the Ross Sea Region prior to the recent surveys contained scant information and appeared to be compilations from various historic sources. It was noted that significant differences do exist between these charts and the survey. Many shoal soundings of doubtful data were sounded and disproved. Most of the MSR has been surveyed with the exception of areas occupied by grounded icebergs. However, in some areas it is very likely that many uncharted and dangerous shoal areas exist, for example in the near shore waters of islands and inshore landing areas. The extent of which can only be determined with more surveys. NZ Government and Science Voyages In 2006 and 2008 further surveys were conducted on an opportunistic basis by NIWA for LINZ. The areas included Scott Island (INT 9003) and Balleny Islands and Balleny Seamount (INT 9012). 3 WP 4 Other Hydrographic Data Hydrographic data received by LINZ from a scientific cruise by R/V Palmer in 2004 was processed and used to update existing charts and produce new charts of Cape Royds to Pram Point (INT 9001) and McMurdo Station and Scott Base (INT 9002). LINZ has recently received bathymetric data from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS), a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand. GNS have compiled a comprehensive database of surveys over the last 3 decades which includes multi-beam and single-beam data from various sources for the region 130º E to 110º W and from 50º S to 80º S. The data include 119 surveys – 28 of these are multi-beam. The data will be assessed for future editions of NZ charts in the Ross Sea Region. INT Chart Region M – South of 60ºS As of September 2009 a total of 60 INT charts have been produced out of the 102 INT charts which are included in the scheme. The New Zealand chart folio is produced and maintained by LINZ and consists of small and large scale INT charts extending from the Balleny Islands in the north to Ross Island in the south. Prior to the 2001 and 2004 hydrographic surveys LINZ produced two small scale overview charts of the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea. These charts were compiled using IHO information gathered mainly from vessel tracks on ocean passage shared among member states. The result of the LINZ safety of navigation surveys and availability of further information in recent years has been the production of 8 new nautical charts in the last 7 years. These are medium scale coastal/approach charts and large scale inshore landing/harbour charts. These nautical charts are available to the mariner as traditional paper charts and are included in the Raster Navigational Chart (RNC) folio, NZMariner. LINZ is in the process of producing Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) of these charts to meet the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, Mandatory Carriage Requirements for Electronic Chart & Information Systems (ECDIS). However, it should be appreciated that whilst new charts have been produced many have limited coverage surveyed to modern standards and significant unsurveyed areas and large areas of scant information remain. Ship-Borne Tourism in the Ross Sea Region From data collated from the IAATO Overview of Antarctic Tourism reports it has been possible to carry out a limited investigation and analysis of recent ship- borne tourism in the Ross Sea Region. Information from 2003 - 2008 including an estimate for the 2009-10 season was analysed and the following observations are made. Ship-borne tourism in the Ross Sea Region fluctuates annually and is largely confined to a small number of tourist vessels. The most popular seasons were 2005-06 and 2008-09 with a total of 11 and 10 voyages per season respectively 4 WP 4 and an increase in sites visited from 12 to 21 in 2008-09. The two most popular sites are Cape Adare and Cape Bird which are Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPA) as are many of the sites visited. New sites are being included in the voyages. Future Intentions Further investigation and analysis is required which will include science and government vessels to obtain a comprehensive understanding of all shipping activity in the Ross Sea Region. Actual landing locations and vessel tracking information is becoming available which can be matched to existing charting coverage surveyed to modern standards. It will highlight areas of significance to support improvements to the standard of charting where it is needed most, namely; sensitivity of the environment, needs of scientific research, demands of the tourism industry and other identified maritime activities. In accordance with initiatives agreed by the IHO HCA, LINZ will co-operate with national and international departments and organisations to identify areas of significance and develop a prioritised survey plan for the Ross Sea Region. This work will be guided by the HCA Survey Prioritisation Working Group (HSPWG) and be presented at the next HCA meeting as part of the national report for review and comment. A range of options will be considered which will include use of vessels of opportunity. This work will be a whole-of-government approach in accordance with the LINZ vision in the Ross Sea Region Strategy 2003-2012.