Presentation of AECO ― Assiociation of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators

ILJA LANG AECO General Presentation 2014 ―Responsible, environmentally-friendly and safe tourism ―35 members. 20 of which operate approximately 25 expedition cruise vessels all over the Arctic ( passengers) Association for Arctic Expedition cruise operators (AECO)

―All AECO members have an obligation not only to operate in accordance with local, national and international laws and regulations, but also to comply with AECO guidelines and by-laws. ―AECO has an office in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway and an office in Copenhagen, Denmark AECO General Presentation 2014 AECO

AECO General Presentation 2014EXPEDITION VESSELS & CAPACITY MEMBER/ ORIGINVESSELPASSENGERS Abercrombie & Kent - USALe Boreal264 Albatros Travel - DenmarkSea Explorer114 Aurora Expeditions - AustraliaPolar Pioneer54 G Adventures - CanadaExpedition 124 Grand Espaces - SwitzerlandPolaris12 Ocean Nova73 Ortelius100 Rembrandt van Rijn34 Hanse Explorer - GermanyHanse Explorer12 Heritage ExpeditionsSpirit of Enderby48 Hurtigruten - NorwayFram318 Lindblad Expeditions - USANational Geographic Explorer148 Noble Caledonia - United KingdomCaledonian Sky110 One Ocean Expeditions - Canada Akademik Sergey Vavilov110 Akademik Ioffe110

AECO General Presentation 2014EXPEDITION VESSELS & CAPACITY MEMBER/ ORIGINVESSELPASSENGERS Oceanwide Expeditions - NetherlandsNoorderlicht20 Ortelius100 Plancius114 Rembrandt van Rijn34 Origo Expeditions - SwedenStockholm12 Polar Quest - SwedenStockholm12 Quest53 Ocean Nova73 Poseidon Expeditions50 Years of Victory130 Quark Expeditions - CanadaSea Spirit Years of Victory130 Sea Explorer111 Silversea Cruises - MonacoSilver Explorer132 Tallship Company - NetherlandsAntigua32 69 Nord - NorwaySouthern Star10

―AECO’s objective is to ensure that expedition cruises and tourism in the Arctic is carried out with the utmost consideration for the fragile, natural environment, local cultures and cultural remains, as well as the challenging safety hazards at sea and on land. ―AECO also advocate for the expedition cruise industry's interests. AECO General Presentation 2014 AECO’s Objectives

Environmentally friendly and safe activities, consideration of and respect for local cultures. ―Encourage use of highest qualified guides and staff ―Incorporate standards and guidelines ―Encourage coordination/co-operation ―Education of visitors ―Advisory group to governments ―Interaction with NGOs ―Recognized as one of the primary expedition cruise organizations in the Arctic AECO’s Strategies AECO General Presentation 2014

AECO’s Structure ―By-laws ―Guidelines ―Cruise database / coordinated landing-schedule ―Close contact and co-operations with authorities ―Hearing and processes ―Projects ―Co-operation with other industry organizations such as IAATO, CLIA, Cruise Norway etc. ―Annual conference and meeting AECO General Presentation 2014

 Norwegian ship safety Act  Norwegian Harbor and fairway Act  Port state control in Svalbard  Regulation regarding duty to report position in Svalbard  Regulation relating the use of Bellsund – vanMijen waters  Duty to notify ship accidents and incidents  NOx tax Norway  Jan Mayen nature reserves  Protected areas regulations in Svalbard  Eastern Svalbard issue  Pilot Act Svalbard  Duty to carry observer in Greenland  Management plan for Greenland national park  Executive Order on tourism in Greenland  New regulations for vessels in Greenland Hearing & regulation processes AECO General Presentation 2014

THE ARCTIC AECO uses the same definition of the Arctic as the IMO, i.e.:  60 degree north, with exceptions AECO General Presentation 2014  AECO’s core areas are Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland, Canada and the national park “Russian Arctic” (Franz Josef Land and northern Novaya Zemlya)

Conventional cruise vessels and expedition cruise vessels AECO General Presentation 2014 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. Cruise Passenger Svalbard, Greenland, Jan Mayen, Canada & “Russian Arctic”

AECO General Presentation 2014 AECO Passengers Svalbard, Greenland & Jan Mayen

Operational guidelines Visitors guidelines Wildlife guidelines Biosecurity guidelines Site specific guidelines AECO’s comprehensive guidelines for cruise operators in the Arctic AECO’s guidelines for visitors to the Arctic NEW animated (due 2014) Considerations to prevent disturbance of wildlife Research-based measures to prevent the introduction of alien species Site specific guidelines for sites in Svalbard (ongoing work on additional sites/areas) AECO guidelines AECO General Presentation 2014

HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012 Operational guidelines Ilja Leo Lang ―Detailed regulations for Arctic operations on environmental and safety considerations, as well as cultural and social interactions ―Operational guidelines are developed and decided by the members ―All members are obliged to comply with these AECO General Presentation 2014

HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012 Operational guidelines Ilja Leo Lang  Planning procedures  Co-operation  Contacts  Education- and information requirements  Equipment  Group sizes, distances, speed, noise and paths  Considerations, behavior etc.  Reports ― Content AECO General Presentation 2014

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  Do not pick flowers  Walk around not on or in between cultural remains  Ask before you take photos  Ensure local benefits  Work against prejudiced attitude AECO General Presentation 2014

Operational guidelines ― Further information AECO’s comprehensive operational guidelines is available in full text onboard every AECO vessel and can be found online at:  AECO General Presentation 2014

Ilja Leo Lang  Take nothing with you – leave nothing behind  Avoid disturbance of animals and birds  Leave the plants and flowers  Do not damage cultural remains  Respect local culture and support local communities AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

DURING LANDINGS  Avoid walking on wet vegetated areas  If possible, do not step on flowers or plant beds.  Do not build Cairns  Do not touch dead birds or animals – there has been rabies in Arctic regions HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012Ilja Leo LangAECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

TENDER BOATS/SMALL BOAT EXCURSIONS  Be sure to always have your life vests on properly  One passenger enters and leaves the boat at a time.  Use the sailors grip when embarking and disembarking the boat.  Always remain seated. Never more than one standing passenger at any time.  Secure equipment and belongings to avoid losing items overboard AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

POLAR BEARS  Take the polar bear danger seriously  Your guides will carry firearms and other bear deterrents  The guides have been trained in use and handling of firearms  Always follow instructions given by your expedition leader or guide AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

ARCTIC DOGS  Potentially dangerous  Never approach or attempt to pet or feed Arctic dogs without permission and supervision from the dog owner/handler. AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

CULTURAL INTERACTION  Respect local cultures  Respect privacy; keep a good distance from private houses and never glance or photograph through private windows  Ask before you photograph – a hesitation means no.  Do not alter cairns – may be signposts  Buy local souvenirs and products – look for CITES. AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING  Tourism can be a great way of learning about, promoting and creating tolerance between people with different backgrounds and cultures  Do not judge other cultures based on own sense of reality, norms and values  Cultures are qualitatively different  Do not expect to find everything as it is at home – you have left home to find things different AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ―A few basic rules for our guests

 English:  Norwegian:  German:  NEW: Animated film in development AECO General Presentation 2014 Visitors guidelines ― Available in three languages, both digitally and on print

Wildlife guidelines ― Walrus guideline AECO General Presentation 2014

Biosecurity guidelines ― New biosecurity guidelines AECO General Presentation 2014

Site guidelines AECO General Presentation 2014

 AECO’s site specific guidelines for Svalbard can be found online at: AECO General Presentation 2014 Site guidelines ― Further information

HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012 Ilja Leo LangAECO General Presentation 2014 More Information AECO web site: Facebook: We wish you a safe, environmentally-friendly, respectful and unforgettable Arctic experience. Thank you!