by Ria Olivier | Jan 28, 2023 | Announcement, Marion Island, Newsletters>Marion Island Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAP, sub-Antarctic
October and November were two enormously busy months. The elephant seals’ breeding season came to an abrupt end and immediately shifted to the moulting season. Brown skua nests and small chicks have started to appear widespread across the island. Flowers are in full bloom from the coast to the midlands; and the new Wandering Albatross breeding pairs have suddenly made their appearance on the Marion plains, while the past year’s Wanderer-juveniles have almost all fledged by now. The team is in high spirits as we approach the festive season and we are enjoying sunnier days. The wind speeds, however, have kept their ‘Roaring Forties’ name, respectably high. Enjoy this edition of The Wanderer! – Elsa van Ginkel
In this Issue – download Newsletter here
- A word from the editors
- Meet the Astrophysicist and the SAWS team
- Fashionable Field Gear
- Marion’s Marvelous Birds
- Memorable Shots!
- Battle of The Bulls
- A Job to ‘Killer Whale’
- Island Life
- Celebrations
- Circle of Life – Round Island for the Readers
- What have the team been up to in October and November?
- Memorable shots
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 | Jan 10, 2023 | Announcement, Antarctica, Current Event, Environment, News, SA Agulhas II, SANAE, SANAE IV, SANAP, Science, Stations
Media Release by the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment
Minister Barbara Creecy visits Antarctica, 9 to 12 Jan
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, will on Monday (9 January 2023) visit the Princess Elisabeth Antarctic Research Station as a guest of the Government of Belgium for four days.
The Ministerial visit to the research station is being hosted by the Government of Belgium and the International Polar Foundation, as the operator of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica under mandate from the Belgian Polar Secretariat.
While at the base the Minister will have an opportunity to learn more about the first zero emissions research station in Antarctica, which has become a showcase for best practice in the use of renewable energies to reduce the environmental impact of operations on Antarctica. The Belgians have expressed their desire to sharing Best Practice to improve the environmental performance of the South African Research Infrastructure in Antarctica.
The Belgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) uses Cape Town as its gateway.
On Tuesday, 10 January 2023, Minister Creecy will travel from the Belgian base to the South African Antarctic Programme’s Research Station, known as SANAE IV, in Queen Maud Land. At the base, which is managed and administered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Minister Creecy will interact with station crew and also inspect the facilities used by the South African scientists. During the visit to the biodiversity hotspot, the Minister will learn about the threats of pollution and research into the human impact on ocean and marine ecosystems threatened by global climate change and earth systems observations.
The S.A. Agulhas II departed Cape Town in December with the team for 2023, also delivering equipment, supplies and fuel.
The department has maintained South Africa’s research presence in Antarctica and the Prince Edward Islands. The scientific data that is collected during voyages is critical to the understanding of amongst other things, the impacts of climate change and weather information associated with extreme events.
The first South African built Antarctic base, a wooden structure, SANAE I, was a Meteorological research station constructed in 1961/62. South Africa has not only maintained an uninterrupted presence in the Antarctic since 1960 but played an active role in the management and conservation of the vast continent and contributed to the pool of scientific knowledge.
MEDIA RELEASE
For media inquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 6490 2871
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 10 January 2023
by Ria Olivier | Dec 15, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Legacy, News, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, SANAE, SANAP, Stations, Take-Over Operations
The S.A. Agulhas II is expected to depart to Antarctica today, 15 December 2022.
The 62nd South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 62) is on board the vessel. The S62 team with be replacing the S61 team during this Antarctic relief voyage.
62nd South African National Antarctic Expedition team (SANAE 62)
Bon Voyage to all on board the S.A. Agulhas II.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 15 December 2022
by Ria Olivier | Dec 9, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, News, Newsletters>SANAE Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAE, SANAE Gallery>Sanae Fauna and Flora, SANAP, Stations, Team member, Team Photo
In this edition:
- Learn more about spring time at SANAE IV
- The Communications Technician, Aphiwe Dyum, shares his experience thus far as part of the 61st SANAE overwintering team
- Here are some of the interview questions:
- How would you rate SANAE compared to the Marion? (Aphiwe has been on two Marion Island Overwintering Teams , M76 & M77)
- Share your highlights for this year 2022?
- What do you miss about home?
- How do you pass the time when you are not working?
- What have you learnt from your SANAE colleagues?
- What would you do to improve awareness for this program?
“One of the things I have never done in my life is staying indoors for an entire month without seeing the sunrise/sunset” – Aphiwe
- Meet the team’s Mechanical Engineer, Deputy Station Leader/ Technical Team Leader, Thulani Ngwaqa
- Here are some of the interview questions:
- What does it take to go through a year at SANAE IV?
- What activities do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
- What do you look forward to do when you are back home?
- How does this program benefit South Africa?
Will there be a third trip?
“Yes, I think there will be a third trip. Once you bond with this place, you keep missing it when you are back home (South Africa)” – Thulani
Click here to view/download the Sept/Oct 2022 newsletter
Check out all the newsletters by S61 thus far
September/October Birthdays
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 09 December 2022
The Mouse-Free Marion (
In this edition:
