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Adapted from a BBC online articles: Monday 31 March 2008 & Monday 7 April

	Emperor penguins are among wildlife depending on a clean shoreline

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has invited nations to submit proposals to limit shipping's impact on Antarctica's unique environment.

The IMO's environment committee recognised campaigners' fears that the continent's waters were at risk from the rising number of ships in the area.

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean constitute the planet's last great wilderness; they are the unique home to several varieties of penguin, an important base for others such as seals, and a vital feeding ground for whales. Yet even that far-away region is becoming increasingly overcrowded.

You just don't get such abundance of wildlife in an undisturbed environment anywhere else in the world Vassili Papastavrou, International Fund for Animal Welfare

More tourists than ever before are visiting Antarctica, some in ships not designed for the harsh conditions. There are fishing boats, both legal and illegal, including a new breed that vacuum krill from the sea. There are research ships, private yachts, whaling fleets, and supply vessels.

The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) had asked the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to strengthen its rules.

Six incidents have occurred in little more than a year which carried a risk of major contamination, the most notable being the holing of M/S Explorer - probably by an iceberg - which resulted in the vessel sinking and an international rescue mission for passengers and crew.

	The M/S Explorer sinking acted as a wake-up call to act, say campaigners

Antarctica is heavily regulated by the Antarctic Treaty. It bans mineral exploitation, limits uses of the continent to "peaceful purposes", and requires member governments to protect the unique environment. But the treaty has only 46 members, and governments broadly supporting the bid for greater regulations - including the UK - will have to convince the much larger IMO membership that the extra curbs are necessary. Requiring ice-strengthening and banning ships fuelled by heavy oil would have an impact on businesses currently operating in the region.

SIMPLY THE BEST - THAT'S THE SEA CADETS !