by Ria Olivier | Jan 30, 2026 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
Applications are still open for the following positions on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2026 to May 2027)
Communications Engineer Diesel Mechanic Electrical Engineer Medical Orderly
Closing Date: 09 February 2026
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 (April 2026 to May 2027) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is well-equipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
by Ria Olivier | Dec 5, 2025 | Announcement, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands
CLOSING DATE: Monday 26 January 2026
Consultation on the intention to adopt a generic environmental management programme and exclude identified activities associated with conservation or conservation research at THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS, for public comment.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is hereby consulting on the intention to adopt a Generic Environmental Management Programme for Conservation or Conservation Research at the Prince Edward Islands (revision 0 of 2025) (GEMPr) as an environmental management instrument in terms of the Regulations Laying Down the Procedure for the Adoption of Environmental Management Instruments, 2019, read with section 24(5)(bA) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and based on compliance with this environmental management instrument to, in terms of section 24(2)(e) of the NEMA, exclude activities identified in terms of section 24(2)(a) and (b) from the requirement to obtain an environmental authorisation.
Only conservation or conservation research currently takes place at the Prince Edward Islands, some of which may require environmental authorisation for activities identified in terms of sections 24(2)(a) and (b) of the NEMA prior to commencement thereof. The GEMPr stipulates appropriate measures to avoid, manage and/or mitigate potential environmental impacts and risks associated with the implementation of identified activities. The exclusion of identfied activities will be applicable to conservation or conservation research only, subject to compliance with the Government Notice and Schedule and the relevant requirements of the GEMPr, which includes the requirement to register any such exclusions.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or input within 30 days from the date of the publication of the Notice in the Government Gazette or the publication of the newspaper notice, whichever occurs last. Should the 30-day comment period overlap with the period from 15 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, this period will be excluded from the reckoning of days.
Comments may be submitted by post to the Director-General of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for the attention of A Gabriel, at Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001; or by e-mail at agabriel@dffe.gov.za. Comments or inputs received after the public comment period may not be considered.
The Government Notice is accessible on the website of the Department – CLICK HERE
GEMPr is accessible at DFFE – CLICK HERE
Any inquiries in connection with the Notice can be directed to Alvan Gabriel at agabriel@dffe.gov.za (Cell: 066 081 9554).
For communications or media enquiries, kindly contact Mr Zolile Nqayi: Acting Chief Director Communications and Advocacy on Cell: 083 898 6483 I Tel: 021 4937144 Email: znqayi@dffe.gov.za
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013). Comments received and responses thereto are collated into a comments and response report which will be made available to the public as part of the consultation process. If a commenting party has any objection to his or her name, or the name of the represented company/organisation, being made publicly available in the comments and responses report, such objection should be highlighted in bold as part of the comments submitted.
TEXT from PUBLIC NOTICE: ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 7, 2025 | Antarctica, Current Event, Gough Island, International Days, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island
October marks the celebration of Maritime Month, a time when nations across the world reflect on the vital role that oceans, ships, and seafarers play in connecting the global community. In South Africa, a country with a proud maritime heritage and stewardship of some of the world’s most important sea routes. South Africa celebrates maritime month and highlights the significance of our oceans to trade, research, and environmental sustainability. As a nation deeply intertwined with the Southern Ocean, South Africa’s maritime strength extends far beyond its ports — it reaches all the way to Antarctica through the work of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP).
Within SANAP, maritime excellence is at the heart of our operations. Each expedition to Marion Island, Gough Island, and Antarctica depends on the dedication and skill of South Africa’s maritime professionals — from the crews who navigate the S.A. Agulhas II, to the scientists and support teams who rely on her safe passage to conduct world-leading research in some of the planet’s most remote and challenging environments. As we celebrate Maritime Month, SANAP honours all those who make these voyages possible, and reaffirms our commitment to sustainable ocean science, environmental protection, and the advancement of South Africa’s blue economy.
Marine Month 2025: 1 to 31 October
- National Marine Month creates awareness of South Africa’s marine and coastal environments and the benefits that our oceans bring to our nation. South Africa is nestled between two currents; the warm Agulhas Current with rich ocean biodiversity and the cold Benguela. These currents, in addition to the cold southern oceans, are key drivers of South Africa climate and rainfall conditions. South Africa’s different climatic zones, with its different bio-diversities, agricultural and economic activities, are shaped by the availability of one of our scarcest resources, namely fresh water.
Feature Photo: Taken by Jean Brundrit with a lens made with ice – read more here
by Ria Olivier | Sep 25, 2025 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2026 to May 2027)
Environmental Officer Assistant Environmental Officer
Communications Engineer Diesel Mechanic Electrical Engineer Medical Orderly
Senior Meteorological Technician Assistant Meteorological Technician
Closing Date: 06 OCTOBER
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 (April 2026 to May 2027) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is well-equipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
Click here: View all positions
by Ria Olivier | Sep 23, 2025 | Antarctica, Gough Island, Heritage Day, Important Dates, Marion Island
Heritage Day on 24 September recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation. Across South Africa, people reflect on our shared histories, diverse traditions, and the heritage that continues to shape our identity.
Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) collaborated with Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town to highlight a special part of our heritage – our polar research history. Visitors to the museum will encounter banners dedicated to South Africa’s polar heritage.
Iziko Museums in Cape Town host a permanent exhibition the Sentinels of The South – (above the display of South Africa’s first explorers:
“The exhibition examines the history, discoveries and current role of South Africa’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean exploration. It takes visitors through the background and challenges of early Antarctic exploration, and South Africa’s contribution to it. The rich and unique biodiversity found on these islands, and the part the islands play in helping us understand some of the global issues affecting everyday South Africans, are highlighted. The exhibition also showcases South Africa’s multidisciplinary Antarctic scientific endeavours, our state-of-the-art research facilities, and our flagship research vessel, the SA Agulhas II.”
On Heritage Day visit the IZIKO museum in Cape Town to learn about South Africa’s Polar Heritage
South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural traditions and histories that make up the fabric of our nation. Across the country, various events bring communities together in celebration.
Visit and Discover
On Heritage Day, we invite you to visit Iziko Museums in Cape Town and immerse yourself in South Africa’s Polar Heritage. Learn more about our explorers, scientists, and the role our country plays in global Antarctic research.
Heritage is not only about where we come from – it is also about the legacies we build for the future. By celebrating our polar research heritage, we acknowledge the contributions of South Africans past and present, ensuring that this important story remains part of our national identity.
by Ria Olivier | Aug 12, 2025 | Announcement, Ecology, Environment, Invasion Biology, Jobs, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Microbiology, Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
An exciting postdoctoral fellowship is offered on our South African National Antarctic Programme project “Towards a comprehensive understanding of impacts of the invasive house mouse on the terrestrial biodiversity of Marion Island”. Sub-Antarctic Marion Island is one of the most isolated landmasses globally. The house mouse invaded the island in the early 1800s, and its impacts are manifold, and intensifying under climate change. This project aims to fill gaps in understanding mouse impacts on the island, with the purpose of informing the planned mouse eradication. This position will provide exciting opportunities to work on excellent long-term and/or spatially well-sampled datasets and inform island management.
Full Details and Advertisement
Additionally, opportunities to collaborate locally and internationally exist within this project. We are looking for a candidate with expertise in one or several of the following, or related fields: community ecology, isotope ecology, entomology, botany, trait ecology; or with an ability to learn the necessary skills. Their primary responsibility will be conducting and leading research into one or several of these themes. Opportunities for student supervision and teaching also exist.
Closing Date : 29 August 2025
Consultation on the intention to adopt a generic environmental management programme and exclude identified activities associated with conservation or conservation research at THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS, for public comment. 
Only conservation or conservation research currently takes place at the Prince Edward Islands, some of which may require environmental authorisation for activities identified in terms of sections 24(2)(a) and (b) of the NEMA prior to commencement thereof. The GEMPr stipulates appropriate measures to avoid, manage and/or mitigate potential environmental impacts and risks associated with the implementation of identified activities. The exclusion of identfied activities will be applicable to conservation or conservation research only, subject to compliance with the Government Notice and Schedule and the relevant requirements of the GEMPr, which includes the requirement to register any such exclusions.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or input within 30 days from the date of the publication of the Notice in the Government Gazette or the publication of the newspaper notice, whichever occurs last. Should the 30-day comment period overlap with the period from 15 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, this period will be excluded from the reckoning of days.
TEXT from PUBLIC NOTICE: ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) collaborated with Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town to highlight a special part of our heritage – our polar research history. Visitors to the museum will encounter banners dedicated to South Africa’s polar heritage.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
