Antarctica Rules: No Wildlife Disturbance, No Pets, No Waste, No Permanent Structures Without Permit

The Antarctic Treaty System (1959 + Protocol 1991) imposes strict prohibitions on all visitors (scientists, tourists, staff):

• Wildlife protection: No approach within 5 m of seals, 15 m of penguins (colony boundaries wider). No feeding, touching, disturbing.
• No non-native species: Dogs, cats, plants, seeds, soil prohibited (since 1994).
• No removal: Cannot take rocks, fossils, bones, artifacts, biological material.
• No waste discharge: All human waste, gray water, trash, food scraps must be removed. No dumping at sea/ice.
• No permanent structures without Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) approval. Temporary field camps allowed for research.
• Aircraft restrictions: No flights Aug 1–Oct 31 (winter) without ATCM authorization (protects breeding wildlife).
• Radio silence: No frequencies interfering with scientific research.
• No weapons: Firearms, explosives banned (except authorized research/defense).
• Vehicle use: Only for science/logistics; stay on designated routes.

Enforced by national programs and observer inspections. Violations = expulsion, fines, criminal liability under national laws implementing the Treaty.