Protecting sub-Antarctica via the world heritage convention: Recommendations for improved domestic and transboundary governance in Australasia

This article critiques the role of the World Heritage Convention in the protection of sub-Antarctica, specifically the three listed sites under the Convention: Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island, and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Major issues of concern are outlined, legal obligations of the Convention and other international law are explained, and domestic implementation by law, policy, planning and management is analysed. Specific attention is given to questions of transboundary governance, in particular challenges presented by federalism in Australia (Macquarie), links between Macquarie Island and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, and the relationship between Heard Island and the McDonald Islands and the neighbouring (currently not listed) French sub-Antarctic island, Kerguelen, which call for further cooperation.