On October 4, 1991, the Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on the Protection of the Environment (also known as the Madrid Protocol) was signed in Madrid, which was born from the need to increase the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems. The Protocol designates Antarctica as a “nature reserve dedicated to peace and science” (art. 2). Article 3 sets out the basic principles applicable to human activities in Antarctica.
The Protocol has six annexes, Annex II prohibits the harmful taking or intrusion of indigenous flora and fauna from the Antarctic Treaty Area, and Annex V states that any area, including a marine area, may be designated as Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ZAEP) and Antarctic Specially Administered Areas (ZAEA). In such areas the activities will be prohibited, restricted or managed according to the adopted management plans.
The Protocol established the Committee for Environmental Protection (CPA) as a group of experts to provide advice and make recommendations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCR) on the implementation of the Protocol. The CPA meets every year on the occasion of the RCTA.