by Ria Olivier | Nov 14, 2024 | Uncategorised
High pathogenicity avian influenza suspected on sub-Antarctic Marion Island
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus is suspected to have reached Marion Island, one of South Africa’s two sub-Antarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean and is possibly responsible for causing mortalities in at least three breeding seabird species.
After an initial suspected case in a Brown Skua in mid-September 2024, another five suspected cases were found in early November 2024, involving three Wandering Albatross chicks and two Southern Giant Petrel adults. The virus can be transported long distances by migrating birds, and this is likely how the virus arrived on Marion Island.
Having spread across the globe since 2021, HPAI (H5N1) was detected in seabirds and marine mammals in South Georgia, southeast of South America, in October 2023. It reached Antarctica in February 2024 and suspected cases were reported from Southern Elephant Seals at Possession Island in the Crozet Archipelago, east of Marion Island, on 21 October 2024.
The Prince Edward Islands, comprising Marion Island and Prince Edward Island, are breeding and moulting sites for millions of seabirds, including almost half of the world’s Wandering Albatrosses and hundreds of thousands of penguins, and are home to large numbers of Southern Elephant Seals and Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Fur Seals.
The situation is being closely monitored by the 11-field personnel overwintering on the island, who have been trained to recognise possible HPAI signs in birds and seals, and in the necessary monitoring and mitigation methods. They will be taking all precautions to ensure they do not spread the virus, and they are collecting information to assist with decisions about the appropriate response.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the management authority for the Prince Edward Islands, has developed a Protocol for the Management of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Seabirds together with the Western Cape Veterinary Services, marine ornithologists, marine mammal biologists, disease experts and colleagues overseas with similar experience, and will continue to work to monitor and hopefully limit the spread of the virus on the island.
For media queries contact Peter Mbelengwa on 082 611 8197
by Ria Olivier | Nov 14, 2024 | Announcement
MARINE LIVING RESOURCES ACT, 1998
(ACT NO. 18 OF 1998)
INVITATION FOR NOMINATIONS OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE CONSULTATIVE ADVISORY FORUM FOR
MARINE LIVING RESOURCES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN TERMS OF SECTION 5 OF THE MARINE LIVING
RESOURCES ACT, 1998
The functions of the Forum, once established, are to advise the Minister on any matter referred to it by the Minister, and in particular on:
The management and development of the fishing industry, including issues relating to the total allowable
catch;
Marine living resources management and related legislation’
The establishment and amendment of operational management procedures, including management plans;
Recommendations and directives on areas of research, including multidisciplinary research;
The allocation of money from the Fund;
The objectives and principles referred to in section 2 of the MLRA that in the opinion of the Forum should be
brought to the attention of the Minister.
CLICK HERE
The Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 intends:
- to provide for the conservation of the marine ecosystem, the long-term sustainable utilisation of marine living resources and the orderly access to exploitation, utilisation and protection of certain marine living resources; and
- for these purposes to provide for the exercise of control over marine living resources in a fair and equitable manner to the benefit of all the citizens of South Africa; and
- to provide for matters connected therewith.
Marine Living Resources Act – Click Here
Marine living resources are the organisms that live in the ocean and seas, and include everything from microscopic bacteria to large mammals and fish. They are a vital part of the ocean’s biological component
Photo Credit: Tavis Dalton and Sean Evans
by Ria Olivier | Oct 28, 2024 | Gough Island, Newsletters>Gough Island Newsletters, Uncategorised
Gough 69 Overwintering team newsletter now available. A bumper issue, you’ll get a glimpse of what life on Gough is like—the team’s unforgettable experiences, their personal growth, and the bonds they formed.
NEWSLETTER Click here
A word form the leader: “it’s my pleasure to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared over the past months, experiencing both the beauty and the challenges of this remote island. Overwintering on Gough Island has been an extraordinary adventure. Each of us came to this island with our own motivations and expectations, but we’ve grown together into a cohesive team—a family, really.” – Matshediso Meshack Mogorosi
Arrival of vessels on Gough Island’s shores is a momentous occasion, eagerly anticipated by the expedition team due to the island’s extreme remoteness.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 22, 2024 | Antarctica, Research, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP
Antarctica, a pristine and remote frontier of scientific discovery, has long been a region of international interest for climate research, biodiversity, and understanding global environmental changes. In a recent meeting, held at SAEON Egagasini Node in Cape Town the event brought together South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) researchers and South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) personnel to discuss how we can collaborate with the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) to share resources, infrastructures and expertise to protect and study this unique region.
Attending in Person, Prof Juliet Hermes, Prof Marcello Vichi, Dr Anne Treasure, Ria Olivier, Dr Robyn Verrinder, Thomas Mtontsi, Steve Tebele, Jonathan Ward, Mark McKechnie, Rabia Mathakutha, Dr Sandy Thomalla, Dr Alexander Makarov, Dr Maxim Tatarkin
The meeting was focused on several aspects, including enhancing scientific cooperation in the Antarctic, and exploring ways to share logistical and research capacities. Both SANAP and AARI have a long history of involvement in Antarctic studies, and these discussions is a step forward in research and innovation collaboration.
The meeting was in hybrid format and was attended online by Dr Michael Kosch, Dr David Hedding, Dr Geoff Grantham and Yinhla Shihlomule
Dr Makarov introduced the activities, research and infrastructure of the AARI. He provided context to the visit and introduced AARI science and collaboration strategy. Highlights were the major directions of AARI are Meteorology, glaciology, Sea-ice research, Ice physics, ocean-atmosphere interaction, polar geography, geophysics, oceanography, interaction of ship hull with sea-ice, multi-year permafrost, hydrochemistry and hydrology of estuaries and water resources
Short presentations by the South African delegation with discussions followed (Presentations available on ALSA archive)
The in-person presenters that started the South African Discussions and presenatations: Dr Sandy Thomalla – SOCCO, Rabia Mathakutha – SAPRI, Ria Olivier- ALSA, Dr Robyn Verrinder-MARIS
The following presentations were done:
- SOCCO: South Africa’s ocean-climate science and innovation programme:
Taking ocean climate science to society. Sandy Thomalla.
- The South African Polar Research Infrastructure. Rabia Mathakutha
- An Overview of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Ria Olivier
- Antarctic MIZ Observations: Interdisciplinary approaches to resolve seasonal sea-ice variability. Robyn Verrinder
- Geology of Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica – a brief history of Geological Evolution insights. Geoffrey Grantham
- SANAP Geological Research program 2024-2026 in western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Geoffrey Grantham
- Landscape and climate interactions in the sub-Antarctic. David Hedding
- SuperDARN HF radar at SANAE, Instrument infrastructure for space weather research. Michael Kosch
- SANSA – Jonathan Ward
- BRICS-RELAY and Antarctica InSync. Marcello Vichi
Through collaboration, we are expanding our ability to understand and protect one of the planet’s most critical ecosystems as Antarctica holds answers to some of the world’s biggest environmental questions, and through collaboration, we can unlock those answers.”
Dr Makarov present a gift to Prof Juliet Hermes of the ice resistant platform ‘North Pole’
The discussion between AARI and SANAP and SAPRI signals a collaboration for Antarctic research, through shared resources, expertise, and data, both nations are poised to make significant contributions to global climate science. As the world watches the impacts of climate change unfold, this international collaboration offers hope for a deeper understanding of our planet and the preservation of its most fragile regions.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 21, 2024 | Announcement, Antarctica, Research
You are invited to participate in an online mini symposium on Quaternary (including Holocene!) climate and environmental change in the Southern Hemisphere. This is an initiative by the WiSH (Warm Intervals in the Southern Hemisphere) group, an INQUA funded project. Whether your field is in archaeology, palaeontology, mathematics, palaeoclimate… or you are into developing new methods and techniques in modelling, multi-proxy dating etc., we would like to hear from you! 
The aim is to share recent research results and ideas related to Southern Hemisphere climatic and environmental change and variability, in particular during the late Pleistocene and Holocene, and in a range of environmental contexts. We especially encourage postgraduate students to attend and present! We have coordinated meetings for each Southern Hemisphere region, as follows, depending on where you work (not where you are based):
- South American research community: 4 February 2025 (~9am-3pm Santiago, Chile, UTC-3), online, free of charge!
- Southern African research community: 5 February 2025 (~9am-3pm, Johannesburg, South Africa, UTC+2), online, free of charge!
- New Zealand and Australian research community: 6-8 February 2025, University of Canterbury Cass field station, in person, small charge applies.
In all instances, more information will follow.
To participate by presenting, please submit your abstract by 6 December 2024 using the template (click here to download) to the relevant regional contact below. Submissions can be made to:
If you would like to attend but not participate by presenting, this is absolutely fine, we will be sending meeting links for the S Am/SA online elements, but please indicate your intentions by just dropping an email to the relevant person. Feel free to contact us for any queries.
WiSH Steering Committee contact details:
South America:
Southern Africa:
Australasia:
