by Ria Olivier | Jun 19, 2024 | International Days, Invasion Biology, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Prince Edward Islands
Dance of the Albatross
The dance of the Albatross. Video made by Anche Louw on 16 April 2016 on Marion Island at Swartkops.
The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) has announced that “Marine Protected Areas – Safeguarding our Oceans” is to be its theme for this year’s World Albatross Day (WAD2024) on 19 June. “Albatrosses are the ultimate ocean wanderers, spending most of their lives at sea traversing vast distances across the globe in search of food such as fish, squid and krill. This year, World Albatross Day will focus on the connection between albatrosses and the ocean and highlight how MPAs can help improve the conservation status of these magnificent birds.” – ACAP
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The WAD2024 poster was created by South African born Graphic Designer and long-time ACAP collaborator, Geoff Tyler, who also designed ACAP’s World Albatross Day logo, including this year’s commemorative logo marking the Agreement’s 20th year since coming into force.
Feature photo form video clip made by Anche Louw (22 April 2016)
by Ria Olivier | Mar 11, 2024 | Announcement, Environment, Invasion Biology, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands
MINISTER CREECY LAUNCHES THE 3RD NATIONAL STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Full release available on Department of Forestry Fisheries nd the Environment website
“We must continue investing in research and innovation, supporting studies that enhance our understanding of invasive species dynamics to improve management strategies. The 3rd National Status report on Biological Invasions serves as a clarion call for action reminding us of the urgency of the situation and the imperative to act decisively,”
“Addressing the challenges posed by biological invasions requires a coordinated and collaborative effort. No single entity can tackle this issue alone. Government, academics, civil society organisations and communities must come together, pooling their knowledge, resources and expertise to develop effective prevention, early detection and control strategies,” said Minister Creecy.
Thirdly, invasive species are devastating the unique and sensitive biodiversity of the Prince Edward Islands. For the first time, this report provides a separate assessment of the status of biological invasions and their management on the Prince Edward Islands. Although these islands are part of South Africa, their remote location and unique biodiversity warrant a separate assessment. Findings highlight the devastating impact of the house mouse, which is alien to the Marion Island. The mice feed on plants, and small animals including endangered seabirds. A bold plan to eradicate mice from the island has been developed and is due to be implemented in 2027. The eradication of mice from Marion Island is essential if its unique biodiversity is to be preserved.
by Ria Olivier | Feb 28, 2024 | Biosecurity, Environment, Invasion Biology, Mice Eradication, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student
The last session within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy research theme : : Ecosystems, biodiversity and biodiscovery was chaired by Pierre Pistorius of the Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU) at Nelson Mandela University. To kick off the session, the Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project’s Assistant Project Manager, Sue Tonin, gave a plenary lecture. This was followed by more presentations on ornithology research. (Above: group photo of MAPRU with Sue Tonin. Left: Pierre Pistorius. Right: Sue Tonin)
Above (l-r): Vonica Perold, Tegan Walker, Shamiso Banda, Danielle Keys, Eleanor Weideman
- Dr Sue Tonin Eradicating Invasive House Mice Mus musculus from Marion Island: Gains and Challenges (Abstract)
- Vonica Perold South Atlantic seabirds can be used as bioindicators to monitor small buoyant plastics at sea. (Abstract)
- Tegan Walker Influence of diet and environmental parameters on Brown Skua breeding success at Marion Island
- Shamiso Banda Gauging the threat: exposure and attraction of Sooty Albatrosses and White-Chinned Petrels to fisheries activities in the southern Indian Ocean
- Danielle Keys Foraging behaviour of adult Wandering Albatrosses (diomedea exulans) in relation to growth and success of their offspring.
- Pierre Pistorius Tracking Southern Ocean predators to identify ecologically important habitat
- Eleanor Weideman Seasonal attendance patterns and habitat use of three avian scavengers at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Poster)
Above (l-r):Maelle Connan, Stefan Schoombie, Robyn Adams, John Cooper
Maelle Connan and Stefan Schoombie were part of the Prince Edward Island Scientific Expedition and were able to join the session. Stefan’s presentation was given in the Summer Survey session later on in the day. Support for Sue’s plenary came from Robyn Adams, MFM Communications Officer and Project Assistant, and John Cooper, MFM News Correspondent.
To make your sponsorship to Mouse-Free Marion go to https://mousefreemarion.org/product/hectare/ and become a part of Marion Island’s future.
by Ria Olivier | Feb 23, 2024 | Biosecurity, Ecology, Environment, Invasion Biology, Marion Island, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student
Michelle Greve chaired another session on Ecosystems “Major threats to terrestrial sub-Antarctic ecosystems – climate change and invasions” , including how climate and species interactions are driving leaf endophyte communities, how warming directly, and indirectly (through heightened microbial decomposition and nutrient release) affects plant performance) affect plant growth, and how vegetation communities on Marion Island have changed since the 1960s on a warmer, drier and more invaded Marion Island. The session ended with a summary of the knowledge garnered from the National Status Report on Invasions, which includes a chapter on the Prince Edward Islands, and summarised all we know about invasions to the offshore territory. 
Michelle(right) gave an introduction and then was followed by oral presentations. (Above, l-r: Joshua Tsamba, Michelle Greve, Laura Fernadez-Winzer, Stephni van der Merwe, Nita Pallett) (Photo Credit: Michelle Greve)
- Joshua Tsamba – Fungal endophytes on Marion Island. (Abstract)
- Nita Pallett – Sub-Antarctic plant nitrogen uptake in a changing world. (Abstract)
- Stephni van der Merwe – Long-term vegetation change (1965-2020) in response to rapid warming and drying in a sub-Antarctic tundra: evidence from repeat photography (interactive poster) (Abstract)
- Laura Fernandez Winzer – An assessment of the status of biological invasions and their management on the Prince Edward Islands. (Abstract)
Another student Janine Schoombie of Peter le Roux of University of Pretoria presented in the ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. They only arrived on 30 November after the Prince Edward Island scientific voyage. “Studies of wind, plants and seabirds on Marion Island”. (Abstract) A poster presentation by Elsa van Ginkel , student of Peter le Roux “Examining the potential for entomophilous pollination on sub-Antarctic Marion Island” was mentioned in the ad hoc session.(Abstract) (Above l-r: Peter le Roux, Janine Schoombie, Elsa van Ginkel)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 22, 2024 | Biosecurity, Ecology, Invasion Biology, Marion Island, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Uncategorised
Prof Bettine Jansen van Vuuren (left) chaired the session of Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery with the first plenary talk of the symposium by Peter Convey(right) of the British Antarctic Survey ” Terrestrial biological invasions and their potential impacts in the maritime Antarctic”. (Abstract) Peter Convey discussed that there are around 15 species of non-native plants and invertebrates currently known to be established in the maritime Antarctic . He further emphasize that effective biosecurity measures are required to ensure that further human-assisted transfer both on Signy Island and beyond is avoided. Prof Bettine Jansen van Vuuren chaired the session of Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery.
Bettine gave an overview of research that included research done by Daniela and Shilpha as they could not attend as they were on Marion Island. Foregrounding geodiversity in landscape ecology studies: insights from the sub-Antarctic – Daniela Monsanto (Abstract) Detecting signals of adaptive selection of an invasive springtail on sub-Antarctic Marion Island – Shilpha Parbhu (Abstract)
Daniela Monsanto, Shilpa Parbhu, Sandra Durand, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Peter Teske, David Hedding
Morgan Raath-Kruger(left) and student of Peter le Roux at University of Pretoria gave an oral presentation and an introduction to her poster.
- Long-term spatially-replicated data show no physical cost to a benefactor species in a facilitative plant–plant interaction. (Abstract)
- Do anisotropic processes influence fine-scale spatial genetic structure of a keystone sub-Antarctic plant species? (Abstract)
Another abstract submitted but Carol Jacobs(right) could not present is on the biosecurity within the South African National Antarctic Programme. (Abstract)https://alp.lib.sun.ac.za/handle/123456789/29301
by Ria Olivier | Jan 29, 2024 | Ecology, Invasion Biology, Jobs, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Overwintering Team, SANAP, sub-Antarctic, Team member
Vacancy for Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project Research Assistant on Marion Island (March 2024 – May 2025)
BirdLife South Africa, via the Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Non-Profit Company (NPC), is offering an opportunity to a suitably qualified candidate to spend a year on Marion Island to continue monitoring studies designed to support the ongoing planning for the mouse-eradication operation. The position will include collecting field data on mice, continuing the monitoring of weather parameters, undertaking further field trials relating to the bait and, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, contributing to the collection of baseline data on invertebrates and plants.
To read more about the Mouse Free Marion project – Click here
CLOSING DATE 12 FEBRUARY 2024
Read more about Marion Island and Overwintering Teams on the SANAP website
Key Responsibilities on Marion Island and Basic Academic Requirements, Experience, and Skills are is listed in the advertisement.
At least a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in conservation biology, ecology, or a related field.
Experience of field work in rugged terrain is required.
Please e-mail your application to Dr Isabel Human, at isabel.human@birdlife.org.za see relevant documents to be included in advertisement
South African applicants will receive priority. Please note that appointments will be contingent on availability of ship berths and funding.
For queries contact Dr. Sue Tonin, the Mouse-Free Marion Assistant Project Manager, at sue.tonin@birdlife.org.za
