SANAP celebrates World Environment Day 2021
World Environment Day 2021 will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration:
“TEN MORE YEARS TO RESTORE THE PLANET”
With the celebration of Environment Day on 5 June 2021 with the theme: “Reimagine, Recreate, Restore” we highlight the objectives of the South African National Antarctic Programme(SANAP). SANAP plays a crucial role in conserving this living laboratory. Studies done in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic are inextricably linked to our understanding of the entire Earth. SANAP recognises the global and national importance of safeguarding the environment of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean and protecting the integrity of ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, in the region. The programme takes cognisance of the presence of natural resources (both renewable and non-renewable) and the increased interest in their possible utilisation (both consumptive and non-consumptive).
Conservation challenges on the Prince Edward Islands (South African most southern Islands): “.. increasingly stringent conservation measures mean that the Prince Edward Islands and the surrounding oceans face far fewer conservation challenges than do most other island groups. The challenges that do remain and the natural laboratory setting that the islands provide for understanding ecological processes, give a means for researchers to assess how these challenges can be forecast, managed, and overcome. Indeed, today, the Prince Edward Islands and their surrounding oceans are largely managed for conservation and for science.” – Marion & Prince Edward Island; Africa’s Southern Islands by A Terauds, J Cooper, S Chown and P Ryan.
“There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.”
Visit the Mouse-Free Marion t and the Gough island Restoration websites – with the aim to restore the environment.
TOGETHER WE CAN BE #GENERATIONRESTORATION
(Images above – Tom Mcsherry, available on ALSA Archive)
South Africa’s Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) South Africa celebrates World Environment Day. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy will mark this year’s World Environment Day by reflecting on 25 years of DFFE/ United Nations Development Programme cooperation, on Saturday 5 June 2021.
The Prince Edward Islands in the southern Indian Ocean form the first 
In his capacity as management oversight through the PEIAC, he was part of the takeover team for Marion Island during April and May in 2021 – “As I am responsible for the oversight of the Implementation of the 
Left: Daisy Kotsedi – Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management with Mbulelo Dopolo en route to Watertunnel from the base, which is approximately 30 km walk over steep climbs of Black headed and Rocky terrain.
(Left) At the base before departure for very first trip out of the base to Ships Cove. ( Right) Assisting with fuel transfer from the ship to the base storage. Pulling the pipe from a rubber duck to the shore. S.A. Agulhas II in the background. Unfortunately, they had to abort their mission to Rooks due to strong winds.
In 2014 on International Biodiversity Day the theme was “Island Biodiversity”. The 
Today on 
The theme for this year is “We are part of the solution for nature”- in an 
Flow lines visible in the photograph showed that ice was moving (top – image 1- left). In 2004, while doing my Masters, I decided to return to same spot and rephotograph the Ice Plateau to compare (middle – image 1- left). Sadly, much of the ice was melting away and when assessed in the context of climate amelioration recorded at the island provided evidence for the most drastic landscape response to climate change on the island. In 2021, I decided to try get back up to the Ice Plateau. Fortunately, I got a lucky break and managed to get back up on a relatively decent day to summit Mascarin Peak (image 4 -right) and rephotograph the area again (bottom – image 1- left).
Sadly, I noticed even further melt-out with all the ice caves now gone and much of the remaining buried ice also having disappeared (image 2 -left & image 3-right).
The remaining ice was protected from increasing air temperatures and insolation (solar radiation) under a layer of scoria so the ice probably lasted a lot longer than it should have and although a few pockets of buried ice were still visible the ‘Ice Plateau’ as it was once called is no more (images 5-left & 6-right).”
Dr Brian Huntley publication available form the Antarctic Legacy fo South Africa antarcticlegacy@sun.ac.za
Winnie “WINZA” Moodaley. “I am, as always, grateful for the opportunities afforded to me, and the trust placed in me by those who believe in me. “It was also a way to find out what I am capable of in such a remote setting; if I could rise to such a challenge.”
Alain Jacobs “AJ”. He believes coming to Marion was destiny and decided to come for the “experience of a lifetime”.
Aphiwe Dyum “One thing I realised whilst being on the island is the inter-personal skill that is necessary when working in remote areas like Marion Island.”
Khuliso Collen Maphaha “My experience on Marion has been “greater than expected and I look forward to greater moments to come.”
Nkoane Jack Mathabatha “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of this important research. The earth isn’t going to stop revolving and if we stop moving we might fall off and be left behind lingering in the past.”
Patrick Hlongwane, “Pat” His wonderful singing voice and superb dance moved have brightened up life for those who are here.
Philani Siya Ngcobo “Siya” “I expected total isolation here on this remote island, with maybe one call a week, but has been pleasantly surprised at the access to the internet and the ability to keep up with sport and news.”
Stephanus Schoeman His enjoyment of his job was a driving factor that brought him to Marion, along with the “opportunity to see such a beautiful place.”
Danielle Z. Keys, or Dani “Marion stole my heart in 2018 and I never wanted to leave in the first place! I love the freedom and the wildlife here – there is nothing else like it.” “I am braver this time round.”
Frikkie van der Vyver With covid-19 raising havoc in most parts of the world, an opportunity to return to Marion couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.”
Leandri de Kock “The experience is really a dream come true. I have learned so much and seen so much of the island. So far, not one day has been the same. Truly an adventure of a lifetime.”
Audrey Mpho Mashau, or Mpho Mpho has overwintered on an expedition like this before and knows Marion – something she says “came in handy as I knew the kind of mental and physical commitment I was putting myself into.”
Thando Cebekhulu, He originally came to Marion Island as part of M74 and says “it actually feels like I never left this place.”
Yinhla Shihlomule “ It is the most peaceful place on earth – never mind the roaring winds and tumbling waves.” “I sailed to Marion Island. That’s a lifetime experience. “
Director Ruth Peacey “Antarctica cast a spell on me and Marion has evoked that same magic. I feel so lucky to be able to share this special experience with such an ace team.” 
Cameraman Tom Hartwell “a cameraman’s dream… I couldn’t resist the opportunity to film on an island with such incredible natural spectacles, not to mention so many charismatic and loveable species!”
Camera Assistant Katie Wardle “I feel so lucky to be able to experience this crazy island and at the start of my career this is a gold dust opportunity to learn and hopefully propel me into other work on my return home.” 
Back row (left to right): Khuliso Maphaha (Assistant Meteorologist), Phethokuhle Hlongwane (Base Engineer), Stephanus Schoeman (SANSA Engineer), Yinhla Shihlomule (Sealer), Mpho Mashau (ECO), Tom Hartwell (Film Crew), Danielle Keys (Birder and Science Team Leader), Winnie Moodaley (Medical Orderly and Team Leader), Philani Ngcobo (Assistant Meteorologist).
These “Flyway” regions are denoted as theAmericas, African-Eurasian and East Asian-Australasian and highlight the migratory patterns of birds. The 2021 theme for WMBD is to inspire people around the globe to share in the desire to celebrate migratory birds and unite in the common effort to protect the diverse habitats which these birds need to survive.
