Antarctica
AntarcticaSouth Sandwich Islands are the emergent tips of huge volcanoes, according to BAS
Earlier this year, geologists on the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) ship “RRS James Clark Ross” completed a project to map the sea floor around the volcanic South Sandwich Islands using multi-beam sonar. This completes a project started three years ago, reports the latest edition of the South Georgia newsletter.
Scientists survey krill fishery and possible marine protected area in South Georgia
The two South Georgia Island King Edward Point (KEP) based scientists are undertaking regular winter survey work at sea to investigate the spatial overlap between the winter krill fishery and the distribution of foraging predators and fish larvae in South Georgia waters, reports the SG newsletter.
Crate of Shackleton’s Antarctic-hut whiskey shows liquor did not freeze
A crate of Scotch whiskey that once belonged to famous polar explorer Ernest Shackleton was opened Friday, several months after having been rescued from a 100-plus old prison of Antarctic ice.
Stamp release on wrecks and hulls depicts South Georgia’s whaling history
A set of four stamps featuring some of the wrecks and hulks around South Georgia Island shores in the South Atlantic was released on June 25th. The release date was chosen to coincide with the midwinter full moon. The photographs used on the stamps were taken by Thies Matzen, who also wrote the text below, which was published in the June edition of the South Georgia Newsletter.
Initiative to upgrade Chilean Antarctic Province to “Special Territory”
A group of Chilean senators from the ruling Conservative coalition presented a constitutional reform initiative that would declare as a ‘special territory’ the Chilean Antarctic Province with the purpose of protection and conservation of the zone’s biodiversity.
Falklands prepares for the coming 2010/11 cruise season
The Falkland Islands Tourist Board has had the first indication from cruise companies on potential numbers of cruise ships to visit Stanley in 2010/11.
Hobart to host Antarctic tourism, IAATO conference in 2011
Hobart, Tasmania has won the right to host a prestigious Antarctic tourism conference, again proving its unique status as Australia’s “Antarctic Capital”.
Busy May for South Georgia fisheries with good tooth-fish catches
May has been a busy month in the South Georgia Fishery, which opened on April 26th and catches have been good, according to the latest edition from the South Georgia newsletter.
HMS Scott back in Davenport after six months tour in Antarctica
The Royal Navy survey ship HMS Scott returned to Devonport this week after six months on deployment in the southern hemisphere. The deep-water survey ship deployed on 26 October 2009 replaced stricken HMS Endurance in Ice patrol duties.
Antarctic Treaty Governments Progress on Climate Change and Marine Protected
Punta del Este, Uruguay. Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition welcomed steps at the 33rd Antarctic Treaty meeting to make climate change a major item on the agenda, and to keep momentum going on a network of Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean.
