New Zealand has agreed to a proposal by the United States for limits on tourism in Antarctica, according to media reports on Sunday.

Measures to protect the ecosystem of the continent were tabled by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a meeting of signatories to the Antarctic Treaty in Baltimore.

All 28 signatories have agreed to introduce legislation limiting shore visits to no more than 100 people at a time, Radio New Zealand reported on Sunday.

Antarctic visitor numbers have risen from 6,700 in 1992-93 to more than 45,000 last season.

Another resolution adopted at the meeting places a mandatory safety code on vessels operating in the region. Two cruise ships ran aground during the 2008-09 season.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2009)