What are the current threats to the Antarctic environment?
Permanent Stations Antarctica is largely untouched with little or no evidence of human impact over vast regions. The scientific stations situated along the edge of the continent are associated with significant environmental problems. Fisheries Virtually all Antarctic life depends for its existence on the seas surrounding the continent. The Southern Ocean contains living resources potentially several times greater than the combined resources of all other fisheries. There is a long history of over-exploitation of Antarctic marine living resources, with consequent damage to the ecosystem. A number of species have become threatened by over-harvesting and illegal fishing, and others are vulnerable because of human intrusion into their habitat. The impacts of Antarctic fishing are as yet poorly known, though it is likely that many of the species taken are long lived, making them more vulnerable to over harvesting. This could markedly alter the ecosystem in heavily fished areas. The question
