Today, 62 years ago, 12 countries (including South Africa) signed the Antarctic Treaty. On the 1st of December 1959, Antarctica was set aside for peaceful and scientific purposes. This day is celebrated all over the world. Join the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) related celebrations, see events here.
Currently, over 50 countries have signed the Antarctic Treaty. In the image (left), flags are displayed of countries (52 flags) that have signed the Antarctic Treaty by 2015. Read more about the treaty here.
Let us be reminded of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Scotland earlier this year, where the Glasgow Climate Pact was made. We all need to work together to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. See what Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy commented on the outcomes of the international climate change talks at COP26 (click here).
An unnamed Antarctic glacier was named Glasgow, honoring the city where COP26 took place and new agreements were made to take rapid action against climate change (read more here).
The South African National Antarctic Programme contributes climate change research in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, including the Southern Ocean.
Want to know the history of the South African National Antarctic Expedition station? Read more about the current and previous South African stations here.
“World Heritage Day or the International Day of Monuments and Sites has always been an occasion to reflect upon – and often visit – heritage sites that are important to us. This year, during the Covid-19 crisis, most of us can only enjoy our heritage online, through virtual visits and tours, as well as social media posts.” – UNESCO (Visit the ALSA archive and the SANAP website photo galleries to see images)
Owing largely to its spectacular abundance of seabirds, and its unusual and reputedly pristine landscape, Gough Island was declared a wildlife reserve under the Tristan da Cunha Conservation Ordinance of 1976, gained Scientific/Strict Nature Reserve Status under IUCN Category I in 1985, was inscribed on the IUCN World Heritage list (under criteria iii, iv) in 1995, and in 1997 became a nature reserve under the Tristan da Cunha Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance. The nature reserve now encompasses a 12 nautical mile zone around the shore. Activities on Gough Island and in the surrounding waters are regulated by formal ordinances of Tristan da Cunha, including those for Conservation, for Export and Import Control, and for Fisheries Limits, and by the adoption of a formal manage1nent plan. (From “Gough Island; a Natural history” by C Hanel, SL Chown and KJ Gaston)
The Gough and Inaccessible Islands World Heritage Site Management Plan focuses on identifying priority actions for the conservation of the property over a five year period, and does not supersede the two existing Management Plans for Gough and Inaccessible Islands. Separate zoning strategies for Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been developed. On Gough, there are Logistic, Marine, Scientific research, and Conservation zones; on Inaccessible there are Accommodation, Natural, Wilderness, and Marine zones. Within these various areas, defined in detail in the respective Management Plans, certain activities are constrained or allowed. A single zoning strategy is needed covering the whole World Heritage property, including the marine area. –UNESCO
The site, located in the south Atlantic, is one of the least-disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. The spectacular cliffs of Gough, towering above the ocean, are home to one of the world’s largest colonies of sea birds. Gough Island is home to two endemic species of land birds, the Gallinule Comeri (Gough Moorhen-below left)and the Gough Rowettia Goughhensis (Gough Finch- below middle,right), as well as to 12 endemic species of plants.
Although now most widely known as a haven for seabirds and an important conservation area in the Southern Ocean, the island has long caught the attention of mariners and adventurers. At first, the island was appreciated as a source of perennial fresh water, whilst later its strategic position, unusual terrestrial flora and fauna, and marine living resources have proven the attraction.
Its position in the path of cold fronts generated in the far Southern Ocean and on their way to South Africa has meant that the conditions experienced at Gough Island serve as an early warning for those that can be expected in South Africa and along the Cape sea route. for this reason, a South African meteorological station has been maintained at the island in an agreement reached with the administration of Tristan da Cunha. From: “Gough Island; a Natural history” by C Hanel, SL Chown and KJ Gaston
UPDATE ON WAY FORWARD FOR MARION 2020 RELIEF VOYAGE – 2 April 2020.
The Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) hereby wishes to inform all participants, principle investigators and support teams of the arrangements pertaining to the forthcoming Marion Island 2020 relief voyage, which was scheduled to depart on 9 April 2020. As a result of the lockdown from 26 March 2020, as per announcement of the President, the voyage planning and arrangements had to be reconfigured to minimise any risk.
The DEFF as a custodian and key Department of the SANAP program needs to mitigate risks and
ensure that decisions are made in the best interest and well-being of all participants, as well as that of the overwintering teams. To this end, the DEFF together with key partners and specialist advisors has
decided that the voyage will proceed but with a significantly reduced vessel crew and passenger complement. The voyage configuration was premised on the guiding principle of having the minimum
number of essential voyage participants during the relief as well as to overwinter.
The format of the voyage will include an essential support team for logistics, maintenance and overwintering. There will be no field science activities during the relief and overwintering periods. The Department is facilitating quarantine and testing of all voyage participants.
This decision was not taken lightly and should not be construed as a lack of priority assigned to the science activities. This is certainly a tremendous set back for all of us, however we need to do the best that we can under the circumstances, and strive towards positive future outcomes. The parties that will be participating in the voyage will be contacted either directly or through their respective focal points. These would include personnel from Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, SA Weather Service, SA National Space Agency and Ultimate Heli.
The Department would like wish you and your families well.
Stay safe and healthy.
Ms Judy Beaumont
Deputy Director General: Oceans and Coasts
Date: 2 April 2020
The 4th International sub-Antarctic Forum will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on 29-30 July 2020. Save the date in your calendars, and please feel free to circulate this information with your colleagues.
It will be a short forum over 2 days with opportunity abstract submission for short presentations on research, management, policy and science relevant to the sub-Antarctic. There will also be several keynote speakers, panel and large facilitated workshop on future challenges and opportunities for the sub-Antarctic.
It will be a wonderful Forum for researchers and students alike to come and share their findings and explore future opportunities. Some early career researcher travel assistance will be available.
Stay tuned for more information and updates via the website and Twitter @subant2020
Registrations and abstract submissions are yet to open.
Regards
Justine Shaw – Chair of the SCAR Action group “Integrated Science for the sub-Antarctic”
FROM THE WEBSITE
There is nothing sub about the sub-Antarctic!
In July 2020 the Tasmanian Government, with the support of the New Zealand Department of Conservation, is hosting the 4th International sub-Antarctic Forum.
Previous sub-Antarctic Forums have been mainly science focused. The 4th Forum will be multi-disciplinary, encompassing science, policy, management, tourism and fishing, heritage. It will bring together people passionate about the sub-Antarctic to discuss the challenges and pressures facing this special region, share knowledge and explore connections.
Already there has been international interest, and we are keen to ensure that as many countries, organisations and individuals with interests in the Sub Antarctic as possible hear about the Forum and have the opportunity to attend to make the most of the opportunity to cement existing relationships and develop new ones.
The forum will be held in the Antarctic gateway city of Hobart on 29-30 July 2020, immediately before SCAR/COMNAP, also being held in Hobart in 2020.
More details including registration will come in the next few months.
We would be grateful if you could spread the word within your networks.
August is a very special month for women in South Africa and this said we would like to salute women within the South African National Antarctic Programme.
SANAP is filled with strong women in Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. The programme also consist of a number of brave women overwintering at the South African research stations (Marion Island, Gough Island and Antarctica).
There are 29 National Research Foundation/Department of Science and Technology funded projects within SANAP and 13 of these are managed by women. This is evident that women definitely have a place within Antarctic research.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) sends four volunteers to Antarctica every year. These volunteers assist with hard work (physically and mentally). The last take-over to Antarctica, three of the four South African National Space Agency (SANSA) volunteers were women.
During my trip to Antarctica earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet a number of very inspiring women – in the video below, meet the three SANSA volunteers of the 2018/2019 Antarctic take-over and the new VLF (Very Low Frequency) SANSA Engineer, who is currently overwintering at the South African National Antarctic Expedition station (SANAE IV).
Anché Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 13 August 2019.
Mid-Winter is celebrated right across Antarctica by all the nations & stations. It is the 0ldest tradition in Antarctica and refers to the Winter Solstice (or hibernal solstice). It occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky.
At the pole, there is continuous darkness or twilight around the winter solstice. Its opposite is the summer solstice.
The winter solstice occurs during the hemisphere’s winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is the June solstice (usually 20 or 21 June). Although the winter solstice itself lasts only a moment, the term sometimes refers to the day on which it occurs. Other names are “midwinter”, the “extreme of winter” (Dongzhi), or the “shortest day”.
So, for Antarctic Expeditioners / Overwinterers the worst is over with regards to dark (lack of light and sunlight).
Happy Mid- Winter to all – share this email far and wide.
From all of us
Jasmine Arnold
Office Administrator to The Ship’s Operations Manager | Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support | Office address: East Pier, Waterfront | Direct no: 021 405 9485 | Switchboard: 021 405 9400
Mid-winter Event Pretoria, South Africa – organised by Carol Jacobs :
“World Heritage Day or the International Day of Monuments and Sites has always been an occasion to reflect upon – and often visit – heritage sites that are important to us. This year, during the Covid-19 crisis, most of us can only enjoy our heritage online, through virtual visits and tours, as well as social media posts.” – UNESCO (Visit the ALSA archive and the 
The Gough and Inaccessible Islands World Heritage Site Management Plan focuses on identifying priority actions for the conservation of the property over a five year period, and does not supersede the two existing Management Plans for Gough and Inaccessible Islands. Separate zoning strategies for Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been developed. On Gough, there are Logistic, Marine, Scientific research, and Conservation zones; on Inaccessible there are Accommodation, Natural, Wilderness, and Marine zones. Within these various areas, defined in detail in the respective Management Plans, certain activities are constrained or allowed. A single zoning strategy is needed covering the whole World Heritage property, including the marine area. –
The site, located in the south Atlantic, is one of the least-disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. The spectacular cliffs of Gough, towering above the ocean, are home to one of the world’s largest colonies of sea birds. Gough Island is home to two endemic species of land birds, the Gallinule Comeri (Gough Moorhen-below left)and the Gough Rowettia Goughhensis (Gough Finch- below middle,right), as well as to 12 endemic species of plants.
Its position in the path of cold fronts generated in the far Southern Ocean and on their way to South Africa has meant that the conditions experienced at Gough Island serve as an early warning for those that can be expected in South Africa and along the Cape sea route. for this reason, a South African meteorological station has been maintained at the island in an agreement reached with the administration of Tristan da Cunha. From: “Gough Island; a Natural history” by C Hanel, SL Chown and KJ Gaston
