Arctic History, Arctic Tourism Challenges and Polar Law Symposium
Alexandra Middleton
Arctic and Sustainability Researcher| Sustainability reporting, ESG, TNFD, TCFD | Science Diplomacy. Circular economy in the Arctic | Citizen Science Ambassador for Finland | Fulbright Arctic Initiative Fellow
Dear readers, in this edition the following topics are covered:
Scottish Trace on Svalbard
?"From Bo'ness to Svalbard: the coal mining ambitions of the Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate (1909-1952)" by Phil Stone and Peder Aspen is an interesting read in terms of Scotland’s interests on Svalbard.
William Speirs Bruce, a Scottish polar explorer, played a significant role in the Syndicate's formation, driven by his interest in the Arctic and the potential for mineral resources, including coal, oil shale, and possibly oil. The Syndicate's expeditions aimed to establish claims in Spitsbergen, which was considered terra nullius at the time, and involved geological surveys and mining trials.
The Scottish Spitsbergen Syndicate began its coal mining ambitions in Svalbard around 1909. This period marked the initial exploration and interest in the region for its coal resources. Throughout the early to mid-20th century, the syndicate worked on developing mining operations. This involved setting up infrastructure and overcoming the challenges posed by the harsh Arctic environment.
The 1919 expedition was notable for its large team, including miners from Bo'ness, and was well-equipped with geological expertise, featuring veterans from Shackleton's Antarctic expedition.
Despite initial enthusiasm and some promising findings, the Syndicate faced challenges such as thin and poor-quality coal seams, economic depression, and geopolitical changes, which eventually led to the Norwegian government taking over their interests in 1952.
The article highlights the scientific contributions of individuals like George Tyrrell, who advanced his career through research on Svalbard's geology, and the adventurous spirit of the Bo'ness miners.
Solving an Old Mystery: DNA Analysis Unveils Identity of Franklin Expedition Officer
The paper titled?“Identification of a senior officer from Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage expedition ” authored by?Douglas R. Stenton,?Stephen Fratpietro, and?Robert W. Park brings some new evidence on Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage.
The Franklin expedition, consisting of H.M. Ships Terror and Erebus, set out in 1845 to find the Northwest Passage. The ships became beset by ice, leading to their eventual abandonment on April 22, 1848.
?Sir John Franklin died on June 11, 1847. Following his death, James Fitzjames assumed command of HMS Erebus, and Captain Francis Crozier took overall command of the expedition.
As the situation worsened, the crew attempted to reach safety by heading towards Back's Fish River. However, they faced severe hardships, including starvation, which led to evidence of cannibalism among the crew? Over the years, remains of the crew were found, including those of James Fitzjames, identified through DNA analysis. These discoveries provided insights into the tragic end of the expedition.
Inuit testimony in 1854 provided the first concrete news of the expedition's fate, leading to further search efforts. These searches uncovered more remains and evidence of the crew's desperate attempts to survive.
This research is unique in its use of DNA analysis to identify the remains of sailors from the Franklin expedition. This involves comparing Y-chromosome profiles from archaeological samples with those from living descendants, which is a novel approach in historical identification. The research involved a large-scale collection of samples, analyzing 46 archaeological samples from various sites and obtaining samples from 25 eligible descendant donors. The study combines DNA analysis with genealogical research.
Murmansk Tour Operators Concerned Over Influx of Independent Chinese Tourists
The recent influx of Chinese tourists booking the majority of hotel rooms in Murmansk for the winter season has caused concern among local tour operators. According to?SeverPost, these tourists are highly independent and do not utilize guides or transportation services, which is a significant drawback for tour operators. Elena Purlitsis, CEO of Polar Star, highlighted that while not all tourists are Chinese, the trend of independent travel is prevalent among them.
Previously,?Hibiny?reported that a Chinese blogger and traveler visited Murmansk specifically to witness the Northern Lights. This phenomenon has sparked a trend among Chinese tourists, including those from Taiwan and Hong Kong, to visit the Kola Peninsula during winter. According ?to a Chinese legend seeing the Northern Lights brings good luck in family life and the birth of healthy children.
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Marina Levchenko, a board member of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, noted that the high demand might necessitate the construction of more hotels to accommodate the influx of tourists. (Source: here )
?Yamalo-Nenets Authorities Announce Support Measures for Reindeer Herders
The authorities of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO) have announced measures to support reindeer herders, allowing them to sell reindeer meat at higher prices and retain the hides. Governor Dmitry Artyukhov shared these changes on social media, highlighting a comprehensive update to the support roadmap for nomads. The purchase price for first-category reindeer meat will increase from 450 to 500 rubles per kilogram, and second-category meat from 150 to 250 rubles per kilogram, effective this slaughter season.
Additionally, herders will have the option to order slaughter services, enabling them to keep all by-products, including hides, kamus, and offal. This addresses a common request from nomads. A pilot project providing veterinary kits will be extended, with expanded contents based on herders’ feedback, benefiting over 1,500 private households.
Further changes will impact nomadic children, including the introduction of zero-grade classes and support for university applicants. From 2025, nomadic families in YNAO will receive a “Chum Capital” upon the birth of a second child, doubling the number of beneficiaries. (Source here)
Polar Law Symposium 2024
I participated in The Polar Law Symposium 2024 that took place in ?stersund, Sweden 23-25, September 2024.
The topics discussed:
“Who sets the agenda in the Arctic?” focused on the dynamics of agenda-setting in the Arctic region, exploring who influences and determines the priorities and policies in this area.
Another key topic was “Climate change and the polar regions: Socio-legal dynamics,” which examined the intersection of climate change impacts and legal frameworks in polar regions, highlighting the socio-legal challenges and responses.
The seminar led by Kamrul Hossain addressed contesting international climate law-making structures from a Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) perspective, particularly in the Arctic context.
A critical review of Japan’s Arctic Policy over the past decade was presented, analyzing its implementation and future improvements.
An interesting panel discussion was led by Romain Chuffart and Mana Tugend on the topic of "Thinking of Polar Law on Speculative Register: What place for legal imagination?" and Cute Ecologies and Conservation at the Poles.
I presented a paper on the future of Arctic deep-seabed mining. In 2024, Norway’s parliament approved a plan to open Arctic waters for exploration and exploitation for minerals’ deep seabed mining, sparking international opposition due to environmental concerns.
My study compares Norway’s legal framework for deep-sea mining with global standards, focusing on sustainability, environmental commitments, and accountability. The study underscores the need for robust regulations and accountability mechanisms to protect the Arctic environment, reflecting the international community’s call for a cautious approach.
Have a nice weekend!
Let me know if you are going to be at Arctic Circle 2024!
Yours,
Alexandra Middleton