Antarctic Treaty nations discussed ASPA designation at their recent meeting and a formal application will be pursued in 2025.
“It would be unique. There’s never been an ASPA of this sort before,” said Camilla Nichol.
“And, of course, there are many other wrecks in the Antarctic which are far more accessible than Endurance, so it could become a precedent.”
When Shackleton’s ship was finally located on the seafloor, it was seen to be in astonishingly good condition. Its timbers were pristine and its basic structure was intact.
The wreck was covered in a fascinating array of filter-feeding animals – sponges, sea anemones, sea lilies and starfish.
Marine biologists will demand to study this ecosystem further. It is, in effect, an artificial reef.
