At the end of July, Mecha and I traveled to Plovdiv, Bulgaria to participate in the SCAR Programme Planning Group Leaders Meeting, and present the draft Ant-ICON Science and Implementation Plan to the SCAR Executive Committee.
Both meeting were extremely useful, particularly with regard to identifying synergies between the developing SRPs, and receiving useful guidance and feedback on how the developing Ant-ICON Science and Implementation Plan could be improved.
During the meetings Mecha and I, together with some invaluable input from Daniela Liggett, Chandrika Nath and other attendees, revised the Ant-ICON S&I Plan. We have continued to work on incorporating feedback over the last few weeks, and have now arrived at a near complete draft, which is attached for your further consideration.
Some sections still need a bit of work, but we feel that it is now at a stage where it can be disseminated more broadly to interested members of the SCAR scientific community and other stakeholders to raise the profile of this emerging initiative and hear any feedback that might be forthcoming. We’d also encourage you to disseminate this through your networks to interested colleagues.
Both the plan and an updated overview presentation have been uploaded to the Ant-ICON home page, and can be accessed using the following link under the Publications tab (https://scar.org/science/ant-icon/resources/). Mecha and I will undertake the broader dissemination, through various SCAR mailing lists, directly to key policy end users and other interested stakeholders including NGOs.
Mecha and I also encourage you to disseminate this plan through your networks to help raise awareness and to ensure anyone who is interested in following progress can join the mailing list. I am currently compiling an informal mailing list of interested persons, so if people do indicate interest, please let them know they can contact me directly and I will add their names.
We have a number of tasks ahead of us over the next few months as we aim to finalize the plan. This includes the completion of the Supporting Information that will accompany the S&I Plan, the preparation of a 2-page ‘marketing document’ and finalization of the make-up of the proposed Steering Committee (see section D – Management in the attached). With regard to the latter, please let me know if you would like to express interest in any of the Steering Committee positions as we need to start a list of potential names as soon as possible.
We received considerable input again in the last round, and while it was sometimes challenging to incorporate everything, we think most people’s comments and suggestions have been addressed. Nevertheless, the Science and Implementation Plan is still a work in progress, so please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have further input.
We hope to have a final draft completed by the end of October. It is likely that most of the consultation between now and then will be electronic, however, Mecha and I will hold at least one meeting in the margins of the CCAMLR meetings, which will be in Hobart from the 21 Oct-1 Nov 2019. Please let me know if you are likely to be in Hobart for these meetings and we will ensure that we include you in any correspondence regarding Ant-ICON discussions.
Many thanks once again for your interest and active engagement. It’s a pleasure to work with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic planning group.
All the best
Aleks and Mecha
Dr. Aleks Terauds
Senior Research Scientist and Section Head |Biodiversity Conservation | Australian Antarctic Division | Kingston | Tasmania | Australia
Chief Officer – SCAR Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System
The 4th International sub-Antarctic Forum will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on 29-30 July 2020. Save the date in your calendars, and please feel free to circulate this information with your colleagues.
It will be a short forum over 2 days with opportunity abstract submission for short presentations on research, management, policy and science relevant to the sub-Antarctic. There will also be several keynote speakers, panel and large facilitated workshop on future challenges and opportunities for the sub-Antarctic.
It will be a wonderful Forum for researchers and students alike to come and share their findings and explore future opportunities. Some early career researcher travel assistance will be available.
Stay tuned for more information and updates via the website and Twitter @subant2020
Registrations and abstract submissions are yet to open.
Regards
Justine Shaw – Chair of the SCAR Action group “Integrated Science for the sub-Antarctic”
FROM THE WEBSITE
There is nothing sub about the sub-Antarctic!
In July 2020 the Tasmanian Government, with the support of the New Zealand Department of Conservation, is hosting the 4th International sub-Antarctic Forum.
Previous sub-Antarctic Forums have been mainly science focused. The 4th Forum will be multi-disciplinary, encompassing science, policy, management, tourism and fishing, heritage. It will bring together people passionate about the sub-Antarctic to discuss the challenges and pressures facing this special region, share knowledge and explore connections.
Already there has been international interest, and we are keen to ensure that as many countries, organisations and individuals with interests in the Sub Antarctic as possible hear about the Forum and have the opportunity to attend to make the most of the opportunity to cement existing relationships and develop new ones.
The forum will be held in the Antarctic gateway city of Hobart on 29-30 July 2020, immediately before SCAR/COMNAP, also being held in Hobart in 2020.
More details including registration will come in the next few months.
We would be grateful if you could spread the word within your networks.
The S.A. Agulhas II departed from the Port of Cape Town at around 10pm, 02 September 2019 and will return on 07 October 2019. Click here to view the voyage schedule.
Who is onboard:
The 65th Gough Island overwintering team – this team will be joined by the Gough64 field assistants forming part of Gough65.
Scientists from South African Weather Service, University of Pretoria and Nelson Mandela University.
Advanced party of the Gough Island Restoration Team led by Andrew Callender (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
Team to deploy the new Gough Island emergency hut led by Dr Guy Preston.
Team of the Department of Public Works.
Logistics and coordinating team from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF).
The Committee for the 2019/20 year has established a new SAAC website which went public on 29 July 2019. The new website address is https://sa-antarctic-club.weebly.com .
Current and prospective new members can contact the SAAC through the Contacts Form provided on the website.
Want to become a member of SAAC?
What you need to know
The South African Antarctic Club is open to membership to those expeditioners who have overwintered at one or more of South Africa’s research stations on the Antarctic continent, on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island or South Atlantic Gough Island. Anybody else who have also visited any of these stations, or have an active interest in these places, are also welcome to apply for Associate Membership. A nominal once off fee is applicable to both membership categories. The SAAC meets annually to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and in celebration of Midwinter’s Day, if not on, as close as possible to 21 June. A second get together, usually a braai, is sometimes also held during the summer.
Chair of the SA Antarctic Club for the 2019/2, Richard Skinner.
Edited by Anché Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 15 August 2019
