Author Question: Although there has never been permanent human habitation on Antarctica, it is still subject to ... (Read 102 times)

sabina · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Although there has never been permanent human habitation on Antarctica, it is still subject to environmental pressures.How have the waters around Antarctica been mismanaged, and what action has been taken to protect Antarctica's natural resources until 2048?

Question 2

One of the largest issues of contention between Australia's indigenous people and the white majority is land rights.Describe how the Native Title Bill and Wik Case expanded aboriginal rights to land.

Mochi · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Some of Antarctica's waters are overfished, and illegal fishing remains a continual problem. China has announced plans to harvest over 2 million tons of Antarctic krill per year, alarming conservationists (krill are a vital part of the marine food chain). Japanese whalers have been active in the Antarctic for many years, taking 250 minke whales in 2014, though the UN has ruled Japan's whale hunts illegal.
The Antarctic Treaty, negotiated in 1959 and signed by 45 countries, including those laying claims, forbids any exploitation of the continent's natural resources until 2048.

Answer to Question 2

The Native Title Bill addressed the aboriginal peoples' major objections, giving them the right to claim land leased to mining concerns once leases expire, and allowing them to buy land to which they have proved native title. The Native Title Bill is of great consequence in the states of South Australia and Western Australia, where there is much vacant Crown land, and many Aborigines are able to file claims on it. Members of Australia's Mining Industry Council are unhappy with this legislation and worry that their mine leases will run out before the minerals do, which will require them to negotiate with the Aboriginal titleholders.
Potential Aboriginal claims to land expanded vastly in 1996 with another Australian High Court ruling on what is known as the Wik Case, named after the indigenous people of northern Queensland who initiated it. The court concluded that Aborigines could claim title to public lands held by farmers and ranchers under long-term pastoral leases granted by state governments