Antarctica's environmental protection system is facing growing pressure from the development of fishing and tourism, even though the belief that a ban on mineral resource exploitation will end in 2048 is a misconception. The 2048 date only allows for the possibility of reviewing the protocol that prohibits such exploitation, not an automatic end to the ban. The main threat to Antarctica's conservation framework is the gradual weakening of international cooperation and the legal mechanisms designed to protect the continent, rather than any hypothetical rush for oil or other resources in 2048. Antarctica is primarily defined by its three main resources: subsoil, fishing, and tourism. While subsoil exploitation is currently banned, this prohibition is often mistakenly believed to end in 2048. In reality, the ban is unconditional and only allows for review, not expiration. Fishing and tourism, on the other hand, are already being exploited under rules that are increasingly flexible and less protective. Periodically, media reports claim that Russia has discovered vast oil reserves beneath the Weddell Sea, and that the treaty protecting Antarctica would expire in 2048. However, these claims are false and distract from the real issues of overfishing and the surge in tourism. Although 98% of Antarctica is covered in ice, a study published in Nature Climate Change estimates that, under the highest greenhouse gas emissions scenario, the melting of ice could expose about 120,000 km² of land by 2300. The supposed wealth of the subsoil is based on extrapolations from geological history, when Antarctica was connected to Australia, India, Africa, and South America. A 1989 U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment report concluded that no mineral resources had been confirmed by drilling. Hydrocarbon estimates vary widely, but they are theoretical and not proven reserves. The Wellington Convention, adopted in 1988, aimed to regulate mining but never entered into force due to opposition from France and Australia. The Madrid Protocol, signed in 1991, prohibits any mineral exploitation except for scientific research, making the continent a "natural reserve, dedicated to peace and science." The 2048 date is not an expiration date for the Antarctic Treaty, but it marks the first year when any consultative party can request a conference to review the protocol. If the requirement for absolute unanimity is relaxed, the ban on mineral exploitation remains in place until a mining regime is established. The only legal gap is a two-year notice period for withdrawal, which would be difficult to achieve politically. Meanwhile, the use of scientific methods to explore hydrocarbon resources, such as marine seismic surveys conducted by Russia, raises concerns that these activities could be seen as exploration rather than research. Fishing and tourism have already outpaced the myth of the 2048 deadline. Antarctic krill, a vital food source for marine life, is increasingly harvested for aquaculture, with Norway and China leading the industry. The Patagonian toothfish, a high-value species, has also seen heavy fishing pressure, prompting efforts to combat illegal fishing. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which manages these activities, is a conservation agreement that allows for the "rational use" of resources. Decisions are made by consensus, which means any member can block changes. Tourism in Antarctica has grown significantly, with visitor numbers doubling in two decades. Most activity is concentrated on the Antarctic Peninsula, where popular sites face heavy use. While cruise operators dominate the market, new forms of tourism, such as air and land-based excursions, are emerging. Regulation relies largely on self-discipline through the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), which has limited influence over official policies. The development of a comprehensive tourism framework has been delayed due to disagreements over its scope and implementation. As tourism expands, the balance between scientific research and commercial interests becomes more complex, potentially undermining environmental protections.