Since the adoption of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, Antarctica has been governed through a unique system of international collaboration. Designed to ensure the frozen continent is maintained exclusively for peaceful purposes, with freedom of scientific investigation, the Antarctic Treaty system has evolved to encourage high standards of environmental protection and the sustainable management of living resources.

A companion volume to A Wise Adventure (VUP, 2000), A Wise Adventure 2 covers these developments, shedding light on the challenges the Antarctic Treaty system has faced and overcome from its inception to the present day. It explains the background to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources - today responsible for the management of the highly sought-after Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish; documents the negotiations over the minerals regime which was adopted but never brought into force; and records the subsequent negotiations that resulted in the Madrid Protocol on Environment Protection.