Voyage 051 – S.A. Agulhas II to Marion Island
The S.A. Agulhas II departed from East Pier, V&A Waterfront on her annual Marion Island relief voyage, Sunday 17 April 2022. The expected time of arrival at the island is today, 21 April 2022.
The first leg of the voyage, Oceanographic Leg 1, from Cape Town to Marion Island, was dedicated to underway sampling (the vessel did not stop for sampling to take place).
Once at the island, take-over operations will commence immediately (weather permitting) – all land-based scientists, National Department of Public Works (NDPW) personnel, and take-over personnel (DFFE) will disembark. Cargo will be slung with helicopters to the island and fuel will be pumped to the island. Hereafter, the vessel will depart from Marion Island on the 2nd Oceanographic leg (annual Research and Monitoring programme around the Prince Edward Islands). The 3rd Oceanographic leg will commence after take-over, on the way back to Cape Town.
What is planned for the 2022 take-over on Marion Island (land-based)
- base and hut maintenance (NDPW)
- base and hut restock
- take-over function
- 79th Marion Island overwintering team (meet the team in next article) to take over from 78th Marion Island overwintering team (M78 – click here).
- take-over projects – scientific fieldwork (see table below)
| University of Fort Hare, Department of Geography Landscape and climate Interactions In a changing sub-Antarctic Environment🔗 |
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| Group Leader | Prof Werner Nel |
| DFFE: Oceans and Coasts Southern Ocean and Island Research Programme |
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| Group Leader | Dr Azwianewi Makhado |
| BirdLife South Africa & University of Pretoria Department of Plant and Soil Sciences🔗 Longitudinal monitoring of terrestrial diversity to assess the effects of mouse eradiction on Marion Island, and bait and mouse trials to inform further planning for the project |
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| Group Leader | Mr Luis Alberto Rodriguez-Pertierra |
| BirdLife South Africa, DFFE Mouse-Free Marion (Project to Eradicate House Mica from Marlon Island)🔗 |
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| Group Leader | Dr Anton Wolfaardt |
| South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Polar Space Weather Studies🔗 |
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| Group Leader | Mr Matthew Spoor |
| South African Weather Service (SAWS) Atmosphere and Ocean Surface Research🔗 |
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| Group Leader | Mr Vuyo Xelithole |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Observing Dawn In the Cosmos🔗 |
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| Group Leader | Mr Ronny Joseph |
| University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP)🔗 Marion Island Marine Mammals in Changing Environments: lndividual Heterogeneity and Population Processes |
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| Group Leader | Prof Nico de Bruyn |
| Nelson Mandela University, Department of Zoology Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU)🔗 Avian scavengers as indicators of recovery of an island biota |
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| Group Leader | Dr Maëlle Connan |
What is planned for the take-over onboard the S.A. Agulhas II (ship-based)
| DFFE: Ocean & Coasts Research DFFE Ship-based Southern Ocean and Islands Research Programme |
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| Ocean Physics: Group Leader | Mr Gavin Tutt |
| Ocean Chemistry: Group Leader | Dr Thato Mtshali |
| Ocean Biological: Group Leader | Mr Henry Kakora |
| DFFE:Ocean & Coasts, University of Cape Town, Bayworld Centre for Research & Education SAMOC-SA |
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| Group Leader | Mr. Grant van der Heever |
| University of Pretoria Enhanced insights regarding the ecology, evolution, and function of marine microbiomes |
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| Group Leader | Mr Choaro Dithugoe |
Land-based DFFE and other take-over personnel
| Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support Management, logistics and support for this voyage |
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| Departmental Co-ordinator (DCO) | Mr Errol Julies |
| Assistant DCO | Mr Mfundo Tima |
| Admin Officer | Ms Pozisa Matshoba |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Sabata Setona |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Mazizi Salmani |
| DFFE Directorate: Oceans, Coasts & Biosecurity Compliance |
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| Environmental Control Officer | Mr Thomas Mufanadzo |
| DFFE Directorate: Earth Systems Strategies Prince Edward Islands Management Authority (Oversight Management Functions) |
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| Group Leader | Ms Ntombovuyo Madlokazi |
| Chief Scientists | |
| Land-based | Prof Werner Nel |
| Ship-based | Mr Marcel van den Berg |
| National Department of Public Works (NDPW) Maintenance Support |
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| Group Leader | Mr Takalani Mudau |
South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): Launch of the Preparatory Phase
The SAPRI team is pleased to inform you that the contractual agreement for the starting of the SAPRI implementation phase is being finalized between the 
These achievements would not have been possible without the trust demonstrated by the scientific 
The launch of the SAPRI Preparatory Phase was announced via a webinar and a Q&A session to illustrate the main aspects of SAPRI, its organization into integrated facilities, and the first steps of the implementation phase listed in the business plan. To accelerate the implementation phase, it is proposed to initiate an informal Preparatory Phase of SAPRI and to discuss the following actions with the community of stakeholders:
The virtual webinar took place on 29th September 13:00-15:00 and was led by the SAPRI team; Tamaryn Morris, Marcello Vichi, Juliet Hermes, Johannes Pauw.
The 1st of August 2021 represents Africa’s first ever Marine Protected Area Day. “A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is an area of coastline or ocean that is specially protected for the benefit of people and nature The rich diversity of coastal and ocean ecosystems in South Africa are protected through a network of MPAs. Prior to 2019, there were 25 formally declared MPAs including 23 permanent coastal MPAs, including the large Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) MPA in the Southern Ocean. Thirty percent of South Africa’s territory in the Southern Ocean is protected by Prince Edward Islands MPA- 
Prince Edward Islands Marine protected Area is a “A volcanic sub-Antarctic wilderness teeming with hundreds of thousands of penguins, albatrosses, petrels and seals. The Prince Edward Islands are the jewels in South Africa’s island crown. They comprise of the larger Marion Island and the smaller Prince Edward Island, which were annexed by the South African navy in 1948. A permanent weather station has been in operation ever since that provides vital information needed to monitor weather and climate change in the Southern Ocean. The islands are home to unique plants and animals not found near the South African mainland. There are millions of penguins, albatrosses, petrels, seals and a transient group of killer whales. The MPA was proclaimed in 2013 and covers 30% of South Africa’s Southern Ocean territory, representing 80% of its ecosystem diversity. It protects the productive waters surrounding the islands, as well as important features such as seamounts. This ensures that the krill and fish stocks that top predators depend on are not overexploited. Historically, there was intense fishing for Patagonion toothfish, but this collapsed and has been restricted to two vessels to allow for their recovery. The terrestrial ecosystems are under threat from invasive house mice that were accidentally introduced in the 1800s. The 
