Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty requires Management Plans to be developed for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMAs). In addition to the need to develop plans for sites at which they were lacking, existing plans need to be revised to conform with the requirements of Annex V. The Guide to the Preparation of Management Plans - Antartic Specially Protected Areas was adopted by the Antartic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) through Resolution 2 (1998). The guide, developed by the ATCPs from advice originally provided by SCAR, has several key objectives:

1. To assist those preparing Management Plans for ASPAs;
2. To help achieve consistency of Management Plans and to expedite their review, adoption and implementation;
3. To help ensure that Management Plans meet the requirements of the Protocol.

Guidance is provided on the standard format for Antarctic management plans, the content and level of detail usually required, and the approval process within the Antarctic Treaty System. In addition, appendices include:

1. The full text of Annex V to the Protocol;
2. The plan and location and site maps for a 'model' site, ASPA No. 109 Moe Island (formerly SPA No. 13);
3. Guidelines for the production of maps;
4. The agreed standard reporting form for visits to ASPAs;
5. A selected bibliography; and
6. A list of national point of contact.

The complete Guide to the Preparation of Management Plans is available here for download as a .pdf document (550KB) in English. This version includes the maps for the model plan and minor updates to reflect the new numbering system for ASPAs which came into effect when Annex V entered into force on 24 May 2002. The original document is also available in Microsoft Word format on the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) web site in English, French, Spanish and Russian.

Guidelines have been set out on the procedures for considering new and revised draft management plans for protected areas.

Guidelines have also been developed for implementation of the framework for Protected Areas set forth in Article 3, Annex V of the Madrid Protocol - available in English, French, Spanish and Russian.