by Ria Olivier | Aug 24, 2026 | Announcement, Gough Island, Overwintering Team
MEDICAL ORDERLY: GOUGH ISLAND
(APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MONTHS CONTRACT)
CLOSING DATE: 31 August 2026, 16:00. No late applications will be accepted
The incumbent will be responsible for providing medical treatment to all team members during the expedition and ensure the work is according to the scope of practice regulations. The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will spend a full year (September 2026 to October 2027) at Gough Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before October 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential.
Advertisement Application Details
APPLICATIONS: Must be submitted to the Director-General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment, The Director: Integrated Human Resource Management, Private Bag X4390, Cape Town, 8000 or hand-deliver to No 63 Strand Street, Cape Town or email to: Recruitmentcoastal@dffe.gov.za
by Ria Olivier | Jul 15, 2026 | Announcement, Research, SANAP
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites applications to an OPEN CALL for a three-year funding cycle (2027-2029). All application materials must be submitted electronically via the NRF’s Submission system at NRFCONNECT. The SANAP call is now open on NRF Connect under the Research Grants category. All applications must be endorsed by the research office of the principal investigator before submission to the NRF. It is the responsibility of each applicant to familiarise himself / herself with the internal closing dates set by their institution to meet the NRF closing date. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. All applicants need to consider all three parts of the framework document -the information relating to the research proposals, the frameworks for DFFE, which inter alia details logistic requirements and indicates compulsory attachments, and the SAPRI framework. Which inter alia details infrastructure availability and data storage requirements, included below. Each partner has specific requirements, and the frameworks for SANAP, DFFE and SAPRI need to be considered together. (Information in Framework Document.)
Applicant Closing Date: 03 September 2026
For all NRF RIISA content -related queries:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) recognises that for South Africa to be internationally competitive and to meaningfully contribute to the global economy, the country must have the capability to understand the knowledge produced by others. This understanding can best be developed through performing research. Publicly funded basic and applied research is viewed as a source of new ideas, opportunities, methods, and most importantly, the means through which problem solvers can be trained. The SANAP is a long-term funding instrument designed to ensure the creation of a demographically balanced Antarctic research programme that strives for internationally competitive research, promotes inter-disciplinarity and creates links with other African countries.
The 2016 DSTI Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy serves to link South Africa’s comparative geographic and research advantage, regional stewardship, and national interest considerations to research themes to stimulate systems scale integration of knowledge and understanding. This will not only strengthen South Africa’s profile and develop advanced skills, but in so doing will also support the Country’s geo-political and citizenship goals in both regional and global dialogues. The importance of South Africa’s geographical proximity to Antarctica and its position as a Southern Ocean. South Africa also maintains bases at Marion and Gough Islands, administered by the DFFE. Marion Island and Prince Edward Island together form the Prince Edward Islands Group, annexed by South Africa in 1947. Gough Island is a British protectorate which hosts the South African meteorological station, which operates as part of an agreement between South Africa and the United Kingdom
by Ria Olivier | Jul 9, 2026 | Marion Island, Research, SANAP, Science, Uncategorised
How Seabirds Reveal a Changing Climate. The skies above the Southern Ocean are home to some of the world’s most remarkable travellers. Wandering albatrosses soar effortlessly across thousands of kilometres, while penguins, petrels and skuas brave some of the harshest weather conditions on Earth. These seabirds are not only iconic symbols of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic—they are also important indicators of the health of our oceans. One of the research projects supported by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), “Interactive Effects of Multiple Stressors and Environmental Change on Seabird Breeding Performance,” investigates how environmental changes are affecting seabird populations. Scientists study breeding success, chick growth, feeding behaviour and survival to better understand how birds respond to changing conditions in the Southern Ocean.
Seabirds depend on healthy marine ecosystems to find food. Changes in sea surface temperatures, ocean currents and sea ice influence where fish, squid and krill can be found. At the same time, seabirds face additional pressures from pollution, invasive species, fisheries interactions and increasingly unpredictable weather. These multiple stressors can combine to affect breeding colonies in ways that are often difficult to predict. Many of SANAP’s long-term studies take place on Marion Island, where researchers monitor nesting birds year after year. By returning to the same colonies over decades, scientists can detect gradual changes that would otherwise go unnoticed. Long-term monitoring provides valuable information about population trends and helps distinguish between natural fluctuations and the effects of climate change.
The findings from this research extend far beyond Antarctica. Because seabirds occupy the top of the marine food web, changes in their behaviour often reflect broader changes occurring throughout the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Their health can provide early warning signs of shifts in ocean productivity that may ultimately influence global climate systems and marine biodiversity. By understanding how seabirds respond to environmental change today, researchers can help guide conservation efforts for tomorrow. The knowledge gained through SANAP supports international agreements that protect vulnerable species and contributes to global efforts to conserve the Southern Ocean for future generations.
Did You Know? The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird—reaching up to 3.5 metres. Using powerful ocean winds, it can travel thousands of kilometres without flapping its wings for extended periods.
Why This Matters –Healthy seabird populations indicate healthy oceans. By monitoring these remarkable birds, SANAP scientists gain valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, helping policymakers and conservation organisations make informed decisions to protect biodiversity.
Call to Action –Every seabird has a story to tell about the health of our oceans. Follow the SANAP National Science Month series as we continue exploring the incredible science taking place across Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic islands and the Southern Ocean.
by Ria Olivier | Jul 8, 2026 | Research, SANAP, Science
Every August, South Africa celebrates the power of science to improve lives, inspire curiosity, and shape a better future. As part of National Science Month, the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) invites you on a journey to one of the most remote and remarkable places on Earth—the Antarctic, the sub-Antarctic islands, and the Southern Ocean. Managed by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and implemented through the National Research Foundation (NRF), SANAP supports world-class scientific research that helps us understand our changing planet. From monitoring penguins and albatrosses to studying glaciers, sea ice, space weather, ocean circulation, geology, biodiversity, and even Antarctica’s rich human history, SANAP researchers are tackling some of the world’s most important scientific questions.
Although Antarctica lies thousands of kilometres from South Africa, what happens there has global consequences. The Southern Ocean regulates Earth’s climate, Antarctic ice sheets influence sea levels worldwide, and the region’s unique ecosystems provide valuable insights into how plants, animals, and microorganisms respond to environmental change. The discoveries made through SANAP research contribute not only to international scientific knowledge but also to South Africa’s ability to prepare for environmental and climate-related challenges.
Science is about more than laboratories and instruments—it is about curiosity, exploration, and collaboration. Every expedition to Antarctica or Marion and Gough Islands brings together scientists, engineers, technicians, logisticians, students, and support staff who work together under some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Their dedication allows South Africa to remain a respected leader in Antarctic research and an active contributor to global scientific partnerships.
Throughout National Science Month, this special SANAP blog series will introduce readers to the diverse research projects taking place across the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and Southern Ocean. You’ll discover how researchers study wildlife, oceans, ice, geology, climate, technology, and even cultural heritage to better understand our planet and safeguard its future. Whether you’re a learner considering a career in science, a teacher looking for inspiring stories, or simply someone curious about the frozen south, we hope this series will show that science belongs to everyone. You don’t need to be a scientist to appreciate discovery—you only need curiosity.
Did You Know? South Africa has maintained a continuous scientific presence in Antarctica since 1960, making it one of the original consultative nations of the Antarctic Treaty and a recognised leader in polar research.
Why This Matters. Research conducted through SANAP helps improve our understanding of climate change, biodiversity, ocean health, and Earth’s environmental systems. The knowledge gained supports informed decision-making, contributes to international scientific collaboration, and helps prepare future generations of South African scientists.
Call to Action. Follow the SANAP National Science Month series throughout August as we explore the fascinating research taking place in Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic islands, and the Southern Ocean. Discover how South African scientists are expanding the frontiers of knowledge and helping to protect one of Earth’s last great wildernesses.
Join us throughout National Science Month as we celebrate South African science at the edge of the world.
by Ria Olivier | May 8, 2026 | Commemorative Days
On 9 May 2026, the world once again celebrates World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about migratory birds and the importance of international cooperation in conserving them. A second global celebration will take place on 10 October 2026.
The 2026 theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter,” highlights the critical role that people can play in helping scientists better understand migratory birds through observations, photography, monitoring, and citizen science. For South Africa and the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), this theme resonates strongly. The sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, including Marion Island, are globally significant sanctuaries for migratory seabirds that travel vast distances across the Southern Ocean and beyond. Every photograph, observation, and research record contributes to the growing body of knowledge that helps protect these remarkable species.
Marion Island situated in the Southern Ocean, Marion Island hosts globally populations of migratory seabirds. Species such as the Wandering Albatross, Grey-Headed Albatross, Sooty Albatross, and many more rely on the island for breeding and feeding. Many of these birds undertake journeys across oceans and continents. The island’s landscape and surrounding marine ecosystem make it one of the world’s most natural laboratories for seabird research and conservation. For decades, SANAP has supported internationally recognised research focused on seabirds, marine ecosystems, climate change, and conservation biology on Marion Island and Gough Island. A major contributor to this work is the world-renowned FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town. Researchers from the FitzPatrick Institute, together with scientists from several South African and international institutions, have played a leading role in advancing understanding of seabird ecology, migration, breeding success, foraging behaviour, and population trends. This research contributes not only to South African conservation efforts but also to global scientific understanding of migratory species and Southern Ocean ecosystems.
Every Observation Matters – The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2026 reminds us that meaningful conservation is built on observations made over time. At SANAP stations, researchers, overwintering teams, voyage personnel, and field assistants regularly document bird life through their photographs. One particularly example is a timelapse video recorded by Otto Whitehead during a Marion Island takeover voyage in March 2023. Every image, every sighting, and every observation helps strengthen our collective understanding of migratory birds and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Protecting Birds Through the Marion Mouse-Free Project – Conservation on Marion Island also includes addressing one of the greatest threats facing seabirds on the island: invasive house mice. Over many decades, mice introduced accidentally to Marion Island have had devastating impacts on seabird populations. In response, the Marion Mouse-Free Project was launched as a restoration initiatives and the project aims to eradicate invasive mice from Marion Island and restore the island’s ecological balance. The initiative represents a powerful collaboration involving conservationists, scientists, SANAP partners, donors, and volunteers working together to secure the future of Marion Island’s seabirds.
As we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026, SANAP encourages everyone — researchers, voyage participants, photographers, citizen scientists, and bird enthusiasts — to continue observing, documenting, and sharing the natural wonders of migratory birds.
Because every bird counts.
And every observation matters.
Images: John Dickens – Stefan Schoombie – Jeanne Nel – Greg Hofmeyr – Bruce Dyer
How Seabirds Reveal a Changing Climate. The skies above the Southern Ocean are home to some of the world’s most remarkable travellers. Wandering albatrosses soar effortlessly across thousands of kilometres, while penguins, petrels and skuas brave some of the harshest weather conditions on Earth. These seabirds are not only iconic symbols of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic—they are also important indicators of the health of our oceans. One of the research projects supported by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), “Interactive Effects of Multiple Stressors and Environmental Change on Seabird Breeding Performance,” investigates how environmental changes are affecting seabird populations. Scientists study breeding success, chick growth, feeding behaviour and survival to better understand how birds respond to changing conditions in the Southern Ocean.
Seabirds depend on healthy marine ecosystems to find food. Changes in sea surface temperatures, ocean currents and sea ice influence where fish, squid and krill can be found. At the same time, seabirds face additional pressures from pollution, invasive species, fisheries interactions and increasingly unpredictable weather. These multiple stressors can combine to affect breeding colonies in ways that are often difficult to predict. Many of SANAP’s long-term studies take place on Marion Island, where researchers monitor nesting birds year after year. By returning to the same colonies over decades, scientists can detect gradual changes that would otherwise go unnoticed. Long-term monitoring provides valuable information about population trends and helps distinguish between natural fluctuations and the effects of climate change.
Call to Action –Every seabird has a story to tell about the health of our oceans. Follow the SANAP National Science Month series as we continue exploring the incredible science taking place across Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic islands and the Southern Ocean.
Join us throughout National Science Month as we celebrate South African science at the edge of the world.
On 9 May 2026, the world once again celebrates 
Marion Island situated in the Southern Ocean, Marion Island hosts globally populations of migratory seabirds. Species such as the Wandering Albatross, Grey-Headed Albatross, Sooty Albatross, and many more rely on the island for breeding and feeding. Many of these birds undertake journeys across oceans and continents. The island’s landscape and surrounding marine ecosystem make it one of the world’s most natural laboratories for seabird research and conservation. For decades, SANAP has supported internationally recognised research focused on seabirds, marine ecosystems, climate change, and conservation biology on Marion Island and Gough Island. A major contributor to this work is the world-renowned FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town. Researchers from the FitzPatrick Institute, together with scientists from several South African and international institutions, have played a leading role in advancing understanding of seabird ecology, migration, breeding success, foraging behaviour, and population trends. This research contributes not only to South African conservation efforts but also to global scientific understanding of migratory species and Southern Ocean ecosystems.
Every Observation Matters – The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2026 reminds us that meaningful conservation is built on observations made over time. At SANAP stations, researchers, overwintering teams, voyage personnel, and field assistants regularly document bird life through their photographs. One particularly example is a timelapse video recorded by Otto Whitehead during a Marion Island takeover voyage in March 2023. Every image, every sighting, and every observation helps strengthen our collective understanding of migratory birds and the ecosystems on which they depend.
In response, the Marion Mouse-Free Project was launched as a restoration initiatives and the project aims to eradicate invasive mice from Marion Island and restore the island’s ecological balance. The initiative represents a powerful collaboration involving conservationists, scientists, SANAP partners, donors, and volunteers working together to secure the future of Marion Island’s seabirds.
