As is evident from the title, Antarctica cruising guide is aimed primarily at ship-borne tourists to the region. It is a small, compact publication designed to fit easily in the pocket of most red parkas, and is both a wildlife field guide and gives a brief description of 11 ‘landing’ sites in the South Shetland Islands, and 14 sites on and around the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica cruising guide does not include sites in any other location, on the grounds that the vast majority of tourists visit the Peninsula region, and the guide is written for them. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout, with photographs taken mainly by the authors. It is worth buying for the illustrations alone.
The book is divided into four basic sections. First, there is an introduction to Antarctica, comprising sections on physical geography, geology, and glaciology. The section concludes with a very quick summary on ‘political Antarctica,’ which includes a description of territorial claims and the origins of the Antarctic Treaty and the Environmental Protocol. There is also a page on ‘Antarctica facts and figures,’ which is plagued by the common problem of there being no consistency among differing publications regarding the mean thickness of the ice sheet, the area of summer and winter ice cover, and even the precise height of the Vinson Massif.
The second section describes some of the landing sites and scenic spots in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. These are well done. They comprise a short block of text, accompanied by photographs of the site, the wildlife that might be expected, and some of the scenery. There is also a summary of information, so the visitor can see at a glance what might be expected. For example, the entry for Half Moon Island has as its main points of interest the Argentine base, the chinstrap penguin colony, lichens and mosses, and the remains of a wooden boat. A second column itemises the specific wildlife that might be seen, with the page number on which that particular species is described.
The third section comprises the bulk of the book, and is a description of the wildlife to be found in the region. Serious birdwatchers or biologists will prefer more detailed guides, but for the beginner, Antarctica cruising guide is clear, succinct, and easy to use. It begins with a brief overview of the terrestrial ecosystem, with a report on plants and land-based animals. Then there is an overview of the marine ecosystem, with sections on the Southern Ocean, the marine food web, plankton, sea-floor dwelling organisms, fish, and other vertebrates. Next comes birds, divided into seabirds and penguins, followed by mammals, with sections on whales and seals. This is perhaps the book's greatest strength, and contains some of the best photographs of Antarctic wildlife I have seen. Neither of the authors is a professional photographer, but their combined illustrations show an attention to detail and a desire to capture some of the sights with which any experienced Antarctican will identify – for example, a southern giant petrel with a red-stained face after feasting on a freshly dead seal (page 104), a black-browed albatross ‘running’ across a calm sea to take off (page 116), a group of Adélie penguins leaping off an ice floe (page 159), and the pink, gaping maw of a sleepy leopard seal (page 180). These make a pleasant change from the standard ‘bird standing in the water’ shots of many field guides.
The final section, again brief, is about threats to Antarctic conservation, and is a necessary addendum to any guide to this vulnerable region. It begins with the Antarctic Treaty, listing those countries that have so far acceded to it. The next section is about conservation, making the point that a third of the species described in the wildlife section are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The section on sealing notes the early slaughter of Antarctic fur seals, but not elephant seals. The following section on whaling is a little more detailed, noting the rapid success of the industry in the early part of the twentieth century, followed by the IWC moratorium in 1986. It concludes by noting Japan's continued harvest of southern whales, and raising the possibility of establishing a sanctuary in Antarctica for protecting these animals. I imagine most of the people reading this guide, having experienced the majesty of a baleen whale in its natural environment, would be inclined to think it a very good idea. The section continues with a description of fishing and the problems arising thereof, and the issue of invasion by alien species. The book finishes with ozone depletion and global warming.
The books finishes with a useful glossary, and the Guidelines for Visitors as set out by Recommendation XVIII-I of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting of 1994. The increasing numbers of visitors to the Antarctic are going to have an impact on its ecosystems at some point. Indeed, some people believe the impact is already being felt. However, the general public will not be much interested in protecting (and paying for the conservation of) a continent from which they are banned, and that only scientists are permitted to see. Ergo, tourism is here to stay, whether we approve of it or not. However, it can play an important role in the continent's future, by keeping it in the public eye. Many of us who work on cruise ships encourage passengers to talk about the area to schools and youth groups, in the hope that a younger generation will see this as an area to preserve. Antarctica cruising guide is an excellent souvenir for any passenger to the area, and its stunning photographs and friendly text will hopefully remind them of the fragile beauty of the place. It may also remind them that here is something worth protecting for the future.
