by Ria Olivier | Apr 19, 2023 | Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Prince Edward Islands, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, Team Photo
The S.A. Agulhas II is on her final stretch of the first oceanographic leg to the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The voyage has been overall calm, with easy and moderately sea and swells, reaching no more than 3 meters, in the past two days.
The 80th Marion Island overwintering team and land-based takeover personnel will soon reach their destination. The takeover is packed with scientific objectives, for both land and ship-based science groups, which will be shared over the next few weeks.
S.A. Agulhas II - Marion Island Voyage 057
| Departure: Port of Cape Town to Marion Island | Evening of 15 April 2023 |
| Expected time of arrival: Marion Island | Evening of 19 April 2023 |
| S.A. Agulhas II last communicated position (18 April 2023, 23:59) | LAT: 40° 40.6' S
LONG: 27° 45.5' E |
| Destination: Marion Island | LAT: 44° 9.1' S
LONG: 33° 22.7' E |
| Number of passengers on board | 89 passengers |
Message to the overwintering team:
May your team work hard together, take time for celebrations and grow together as a team. We wish you all the best. May you find plenty of happiness and fulfillment during your year in the sub-Antarctic!
80th Marion Island overwintering team
| Team Member | Position on M80 | Affiliation |
| Ndaedzo Nthulani | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Dylan Seaton | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
| Christopher Jones | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
| Michelle Risi | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
| Treasure Thobatsi | Communications Technician | DFFE |
| Gumede Mbekezeli | Electrical Technician | DFFE |
| Nikitha Fikizolo | Chef | DFFE |
| Tamara Eggeling | Field Assistant: Sealer/Killer Whaler | MIMMP (UP) |
| Zafar Monier | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
| Kuhle Mbalane | Assistant Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
| Mfezeko Rataza | Electronic Engineer | SANSA |
| Keith Odwa Obose | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Kyle Maurer | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
| Mpumelelo Mabutyana | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
| Collen Nkadimeng | Diesel Mechanic | DFFE |
| Kelebogile Mogotsi | Senior Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Nkateko Maholobela | Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
| Sandile Nkebe | Medical Orderly & Team Leader) | DFFE |
| Camilla Smyth | Field Assistant | Mouse-free Marion |
Photo caption: Marion80. Photo taken on the heli deck on board the S.A. Agulhas II. Back (L-R) Ndaedzo Nthulani, Dylan Seaton, Christopher Jones, Michelle Risi, Treasure Thobatsi, Gumede Mbekezeli, Nikitha Fikizolo, Tamara Eggeling, Zafar Monier, Kuhle Mbalane, Mfezeko Rataza; (front) Keith Odwa Obose, Kyle Maurer, Mpumelelo Mabutyana, Collen Nkadimeng, Kelebogile Mogotsi, Nkateko Maholobela, Sandile Nkebe and Camilla Smyth.
Photo credit: Christopher Jones and Michelle Risi
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 19 April 2023
by Ria Olivier | Feb 6, 2023 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, Stations, sub-Antarctic
Join the 80th Marion Island Overwintering Team!
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is looking for suitable candidates to join the 2023/2024 Marion Island team.
The team will depart (on the research and supply vessel, S.A. Agulhas II) to the sub-Antarctic Marion Island in April 2023 and return in May 2024.
Positions to be filled:
- Communications Engineer/Technician
- Electrical Engineer/Technician
- Diesel Mechanic
- Medical Orderly
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10 February 2023
Click on the link below to view the positions to be filled.
Marion Island JOBS
Read more about Marion Island
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), 06 February 2023
by Ria Olivier | Feb 2, 2023 | Commemorative Days, Current Event, Environment, International Days, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, News, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
World Wetlands Day, is celebrated every year on 02 February. On this day, in 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) was signed in Ramsar, Iran.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated to to “raise awareness and understanding of what wetlands are and how we can contribute towards restoring them through making conscious choices, becoming persuasive voices and taking bold actions” (read more here).
What is a wetland?
A wetland is defined as the land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the
surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water, and which land in normal circumstances supports or would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil (1).
Why is wetland restoration so important? Listed below are a few benefits of wetland restoration:
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Improve water supply
- Store carbon
- Reduced impacts from flooding
- Improve livelihoods
- Enhance well–being
- Protection of agricultural resources (1; 2)
Is your role in wetland restoration important?
Yes! Our individual and collective actions have an impact (1).
What can you as individual do to help protect and preserve wetlands?
- Participate in programs that help protect and restore wetlands.
- Report illegal actions such as unauthorized wetland fill or dredging activities to government authorities
- Pick up litter and dispose in appropriate trash containers. Keep surface areas that wash into storm drains clean from pet waste, toxic chemicals, fertilizers and motor oil, which can eventually reach and impair our wetlands.
- Use native species when planting trees, shrubs and flowers to preserve the ecological balance of local wetlands.
- Avoid wetland when you are expanding your house.
- Use phosphate-free laundry and dishwasher detergents. Phosphates encourage algae growth, which can suffocate aquatic life.
- Use non-toxic products for household cleaning and lawn and garden care. Never spray lawn and garden chemicals outside on a windy day or on a day that it might rain and wash the chemicals into waterways.
- Enjoy the scenic and recreational opportunities wetlands offer, while preserving their integrity for future generations by minimizing the use of heavy equipment and staying in designated visitor areas where available (3).
Did you know that the South African Prince Edward Islands (Prince Edward Island and Marion Island) is declared as Wetland of International Importance?
The Prince Edward Islands was declared Wetland of International Importance: Ramsar Site No.1688, on 22 May 2007. The conservation and management of this site falls within the responsibility of the Directorate: Southern Oceans and Antarctic Support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Want to know about wetlands in South Africa?
Click on the posters to enlarge.
What’s been happening on Social Media
Sources:
1- https://www.worldwetlandsday.org/
2- https://www.dffe.gov.za/event/international/wetlandsday2013
3- https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/what-you-can-do-protect-coastal-wetlands
4- https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1688
5- https://alp.lib.sun.ac.za/handle/123456789/15327
6- https://blogs.sun.ac.za/antarcticlegacy/event/world-wetlands-day/
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 02 February 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Jan 24, 2023 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Prince Edward Islands, sub-Antarctic
The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project, a partnership between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and BirdLife South Africa, plans to eradicate invasive mice from Marion Island. The project is gaining increasing momentum as we work towards an eradication operation, currently envisaged for the austral winter of 2025. There remains a lot to do between now and then, and the project is seeking to recruit some key positions for the project. These provide an exciting opportunity to be part of the project team working towards restoring Marion Island and reclaiming it for its globally important seabirds.
Current Vacancies:
- Assistant Project Manager
- Administration and Finance Officer
- Prospect Researcher.
More details on these vacancies can be found here.
With detailed post descriptions found here.
Application deadline: 17 February 2023
Text: Robyn Adams, Communications Officer and Project Assistant (The Mouse-Free Marion Project)
Image: Wandering Albatrosses, Marion Island. Photo: Otto Whitehead – supplied and edited by MFM
Text Edited and Featured Image Design: Anche Louw, Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, SAPRI
by Ria Olivier | Nov 2, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Gough Island, Jobs, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAE, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
As per job advertisement:
The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
SAEON is mandated to establish and manage long-term environmental observatories; maintain reliable long-term environmental data sets; promote access to data for research and/or informed decision making; and contribute to capacity building.
This position is supported by the Department of Science and Innovation’s South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) programme and will be based in Cape Town.
A Senior Electronics Technician to provide technical and logistic support for the SAPRI programme’s various research and long-term monitoring activities in the offshore marine and Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica, conducted onboard South African and international research vessels.
Application Closing Date: 16 November 2022
Click here to view the position advert.
Read more about SAPRI:
South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): Feedback and start of the Preparatory Phase
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa
by Ria Olivier | Oct 6, 2022 | Announcement, Geomorphology, Marion Island, News, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SANAP, Science, sub-Antarctic
In a new publication, An open access geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, by Elizabeth Rudolph, David William Hedding, Nico de Bruyn, and Werner Nel, open access is given to a geospatial database for both Marion Island and Prince Edward Island.
Click here to view the full suite of data: Prince Edward Islands Geospatial Database
This paper was presented at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Open Science Conference 2022, in a poster format. Click here to view the poster.
Authors:
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 06 October 2022
