Copenhagen, January 2016 Sustainable Arctic Expedition Cruise Operations Society for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and IDA Maritime, January 2016, Copenhagen Ilja Leo Lang, Office Manager Denmark
AECO and AECO s Members Copenhagen, January 2016 Member organization founded in 2003 with the overall goal to: ensure environmentally friendly, responsible and safe cruise tourism in the Arctic, and advocate for the expedition cruise industry, and AECO s members interests AECO currently have 50 members. 26 of which operate approximately 32 expedition cruise vessels all over the Arctic
Arctic Cruise Tourism Status, trends and stats Copenhagen, January 2016 Cruise patterns Expedition cruise traffic Conventional cruise traffic
Arctic Cruise Tourism Status, trends and stats Copenhagen, January 2016 Cruise passengers Svalbard, Greenland, Franz Josef Land, Canada Conventional cruise vessels and expedition cruise vessels 60000 50000 40000 30000 Svalbard Greenland Franz Josef Land Canada 20000 10000 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Arctic Cruise Tourism Status, trends and stats Copenhagen, January 2016 AECO passengers Svalbard, Greenland, Jan Mayen, Canada & Russia Numbers include all commercial cruise traffic; passengers on small, medium and large conventional cruise vessels as well as passengers on small expedition cruise vessels. Sources: Governor of Svalbard and Statistics Greenland. Numbers for Canada is an Estimate mad by researchers from University of Ottawa and Lakehaed University. Numbers from Franz Josef Land has been provide by Russian Arctic.
Arctic Cruise Tourism Risks Copenhagen, January 2016 Arctic Cruise Tourism Risks ENVIRONMENT Oil spill Endangering wildlife Ruined vegetation (paths, marks) Cultural remains (wear & tear, stealing) Signs & markings Transport of non -native species Garbage / pollution SOCIAL/CULTURAL Strains on small communities Disrespect Prejudices (both ways) Export of banned substances Traditions / traditional activities at risk Ignorance in regard to the importance of providing local benefits SAFETY Remoteness Cold temperatures and water Ice Limited charts Limited search and rescue facilities Communication limitations Weather- and ice predictability limitations
HRG Measures, STAFF Projects SEMINAR & Strategies 2012 Copenhagen, Ilja January Leo Lang 2016 Measures, Projects & Strategies AECO Guidelines AECO s Cruise database Vessel tracking Crowd sourcing SAR projects Marine Mammal Sighting project Conferences & training Other developments Clean Up Svalbard
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 AECO guidelines Operational guidelines Visitors guidelines Wildlife guidelines Biosecurity guidelines Site specific guidelines AECO s comprehensive guidelines for cruise operators AECO s guidelines for visitors to the Arctic New animation bit.ly/1g2btw6 Measures to prevent disturbance of wildlife Measures to prevent introduction of alien species 20 different site specific guidelines for Svalbard
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Operational guidelines Examples Do not land more than 100 guests in one general area At least one guide per 20 passengers Keep at least 150 meters from walrus cows and calves Keep at least 200 meters from glaciers Never follow a polar bear Etc.
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Visitors guidelines Examples Examples Leave no lasting signs Do not pick flowers Walk around not on or in between cultural remains Ask before you take photos Take the polar bear danger seriously Pay attention to your guide Ensure local benefits Work against prejudiced attitude NEW: Animation http://www.bit.ly/1g2btw6
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Wildlife guidelines Walrus guideline More Wildlife guidelines ready in 2016!
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Biosecurity guidelines New biosecurity guidelines
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Site guidelines
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 AECO guidelines Operational guidelines Visitors guidelines Wildlife guidelines Biosecurity guidelines Site specific guidelines AECO s comprehensive guidelines for cruise operators AECO s guidelines for visitors to the Arctic New animation bit.ly/1g2btw6 Measures to prevent disturbance of wildlife Measures to prevent introduction of alien species 20 different site specific guidelines for Svalbard
HRG Measures, STAFF Projects SEMINAR & Strategies 2012 Copenhagen, Ilja January Leo Lang 2016 Measures, Projects & Strategies AECO Guidelines AECO s Cruise database Vessel tracking Crowd sourcing SAR projects Marine Mammal Sighting project Conferences & training Other developments Clean Up Svalbard
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 AECO s Cruise Database
HRG Measures, STAFF Projects SEMINAR & Strategies 2012 Copenhagen, Ilja January Leo Lang 2016 AECO s Vessel Tracker
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Crowd sourcing of depth soundings Olex based solution to crowd sourcing of historical depth soundings Developed by Capt. Leif Skog
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Clean Up Svalbard Cruise industry initiative Collection of sea-transported garbage 10 years experience hundred tons of waste Cooperation with the Governor of Svalbard
AECO Measures, input Projects til Albatros & Strategies Travel Staff Seminar Copenhagen, January 2016 SAR Projects Arctic Zephyr table-top 2014 Arctic Security Forces RT 2015 Sharing of contingency plans with Joint Rescue Coordination Centers Sharing of Cruise Database entries (sailing plans collective reports) with SAR authorities Sharing of vessel Tracker information with relevant SAR authorities AECO SAR table-top exercise 2016
AECO Measures, input Projects til Albatros & Strategies Travel Staff Seminar Copenhagen, January 2016 Marine Mammal Sighting Project
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 AECO events, conferences & training Annual Arctic cruise conference Annual meeting (members and special invitees only) Industry-research workshops Expedition leader Conference Member staff seminars Expedition leader conferences
Measures, Projects & Strategies Copenhagen, January 2016 Other Developments ArcticWeb involvement with the Danish Maritime Authorities Research collaboration (ice, communication, flora and Western Svalbard Administrative Plan involvement fauna, social sciences etc.)
Copenhagen, January 2016 Thankyoufor listening! AECO - responsible, environmentally-friendly and safe expedition cruise tourism in the Arctic