Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs

Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) is an international association that develops and promotes best practice in managing the support of scientific research in Antarctica. Members are composed of national research programs who respective governments are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty committing the continent as a natural reserve.

COMNAP members are responsible for the operation of around 80 research stations and the other infrastructure that supports science across Antarctica. Its secretariat is in Christchurch, New Zealand. COMNAP has an observer status and reports its activities at the yearly Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.

Activities
Through collaboration, members gather research data from all Antarctic regions from terrestrial, marine and atmospheric environments. COMNAP convenes geographic regional break-out groups covering the Peninsula, Ross Sea, East Antarctica, Larsemann Hills, Dronning Maud Land, and High Plateau. Antarctic research is enabled by a multitude of key scientific infrastructure, facilities and support platforms operated by countries across these regions and disciplines.

COMNAP has developed comprehensive guidelines on a range of topics in support of science in Antarctica. These include air safety, managing waste, preventing oil spills, contingency planning and reducing impact on the Antarctic environment. It has established working groups and networks addressing such issues as shipping and air operations, energy management, training and environmental issues.

Membership
Countries engaging in Antarctic research, which are also signatories to the Antarctic Treaty and the Environmental Protocol may participate in COMNAP. Membership is open to those countries’ national agencies responsible for planning and conducting Antarctic operations in support of science.