• Researchers found new krill populations during the BROKE-West voyage. Photo: Rob King

  Discuss the economic value of Antarctica. What resources are being used or could be used in the future (such as minerals [including oil], tourism, whales, seals, fish, krill, icebergs)? You could extend this discussion to the economic value of research, such as bioprospecting.
• Ask students to adopt a position and prepare and present an argument related to one of the following issues (you can hold a class debate):
  
  'Antarctica is the last frontier on earth. Australia has a justifiable claim to 42% of it and should exploit that claim for the economic benefit of its people.'
  
  'The Southern Ocean is a unique and delicate ecosystem that has developed over a long time to its present state of balance. As the last remaining wilderness on earth, as yet unspoiled by man's exploitation, it should be left alone, exactly as it is.'
  
  'The Southern Ocean holds an abundance of the rich and nutritious food that may supply the protein needs of a world where food is increasingly precious. People come first and every effort to harvest this valuable food source should be made as soon as possible.'
  
  'Who owns Antarctica and its riches?'
  
  
• Design a survey to ascertain:
  - whether people want Antarctica kept in its relatively unaltered state
  - whether Antarctic resources, living and mineral, should be exploited
  - whether tourism should be allowed
  - what forms of tourism should be permitted.
  
  
• Survey other students and members of the public (ensure that at least five different age groups are represented).
- What similarities and differences were there between your opinion and the opinions of these people?
- What are the reasons for the similarities and the differences?


• Research the harvesting of krill from the waters around Antarctica. (See also activities on krill.)
  
• Research the 'scientific' harvesting of whales by Japan and Norway. (See also activities on whales.)
  
  Further information:
  Is mining worthwhile in Antarctica?
  A time to krill
  Krill: magicians of the Southern Ocean
Information about Antarctic fisheries


• Debate the use of icebergs as a source of fresh water. Could icebergs be used to solve Australia's water supply problems? (See also activities in Unit 6.)

ISSUE - Animal Research

Heart disease is the biggest killer of adult Australians. What should we do if scientists find a substance in seal blubber that will prevent heart disease?