by Ria Olivier | Nov 11, 2025 | Announcement, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science
At the edge of the Earth lies a mirror of our planet — a place where ice tells the story of climate, oceans, and life itself. The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) stands at the forefront of exploring and protecting this frozen world.
This November, the SANAP research community will gather once again for the 7th SANAP Symposium, a meeting of minds, science, and purpose.
Dates: 16–19 November 2025
Venue: Kwalata Game Reserve, South Africa
The Symposium brings together researchers, students, policymakers, and environmental stewards from across disciplines to share discoveries from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, and to reflect on how they shape our understanding of global change.
From the southernmost ice sheets to Africa’s beating heart, SANAP researchers explore the connections that link polar science to climate, ecosystems, and society. The Symposium offers a unique opportunity to discuss new research, inspire collaboration, and strengthen the community committed to safeguarding the world’s most remote environments.
Join the conversation, connect with fellow explorers of knowledge, and be part of shaping a sustainable polar future.
More information click here
by Ria Olivier | Oct 2, 2025 | Antarctica, Engineering, Jobs, Research, SANAE, Science
Programme: Space Science: Volunteer
This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a scientific and/or engineering background, who are eager for an extraordinary experience in a remote Antarctic environment. We are currently assembling a team to participate in the annual relief expedition to SANAE IV, Antarctica. The SANAE IV station in Antarctica lies at 71°S, 2°W – 4280 km from East Pier in Cape Town Harbour. (Photo above taken in 2022 during the annual relief voyage)
Successful candidates will embark on the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel, for a voyage of approximately 14 days to Antarctica. Upon arrival, they will be stationed at the SANAE IV research base for the entire relief period. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the Group Leader/Senior Engineer, assisting with critical infrastructure maintenance, scientific instrument servicing, and logistical operations during the expedition.
Voyage Dates: 9 December 2025 – 9 February 2026 (TBC)
For more information: Click Here
by Ria Olivier | Sep 25, 2025 | International Days, Marine Protected Area, Research, SA Agulhas II
On 25 September 2025, the world comes together to mark World Maritime Day under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” This theme reflects the ocean’s critical role in our climate system, biodiversity, and economy, while reminding us of the shared responsibility to protect and sustainably use this vast and fragile resource. With over 80% of global trade moving by sea, maritime activity is inseparable from the health of our ocean and the future of our planet.
For the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), this year’s theme resonates deeply. As custodians of South Africa’s polar research efforts, SANAP rely on our dedicated polar research and supply vessel, the SA Agulhas II, to undertake vital voyages into the Southern Ocean, Antarctica and Marion and Gough Islands. These expeditions not only sustain South Africa’s research stations but also contribute to global science on ocean health, climate change, and biodiversity in one of the world’s most important yet vulnerable regions.
Through SANAP’s work, South Africa plays an active role in the international maritime and research community—advancing knowledge about ocean systems, contributing to global climate models, and strengthening collective efforts to safeguard marine environments. The SA Agulhas II is more than just a ship; it is a floating laboratory, a logistical lifeline, and a symbol of our commitment to “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
As the world lights up landmarks in blue to celebrate World Maritime Day, SANAP stands proudly alongside the global maritime community in reaffirming our responsibility: to study, protect, and share the opportunities of our ocean for generations to come.
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 | Aug 25, 2025 | Research, SANAP, South Atlantic, Southern Ocean
Pelagic High Seas Ocean Ecoregionalisation of the Indian Subantarctic (PHOCIS) will be holding a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, 25 – 29 August 2025. The main objectives for the Cape Town workshop will be for participants to present and discuss progress on all PHOCIS work packages, but in particular to advance WP4 on Integrated Ocean Management (this study), and WP5 on Research and Monitoring.
The PHOCIS project, “Pelagic High Seas Ocean Ecoregionalisation of the Indian Subantarctic,” is
a scientific initiative focused on dividing the open ocean waters around the Indian subantarctic
region into distinct ecological zones based on their unique marine life and environmental
conditions, with the primary goal of identifying and protecting critical conservation areas within
the subantarctic high seas. The integrated ocean management process will encompass the high
seas within 20°E to 150°E and from 40°S to 60°S. Most of the western area falls within the
CCAMLR boundary whereas the eastern area is outside the CCAMLR boundary.
The main objectives for the Cape Town workshop will be for participants to present and discuss
progress on all PHOCIS work packages, but in particular to advance WP4 on Integrated Ocean
Management, and WP5 on Research and Monitoring. Reports generated will be presented to
CCAMLR via the Scientific Committee and its Working Groups.
PHOCIS is structured into 6 WPs (Work Packages), which are further subdivided into sub-WPs:
WP1 Pelagic ecoregionalisation
WP1.1 Geography
WP1.2 Pelagic oceanographic regions
WP1.3 Plankton and pelagic fish spatial distributions
WP1.4 Seabird and marine mammal distributions
WP1.5 Pelagic ecoregionalisation synthesis
WP2 Connectivity between ecoregions
WP3 Historical and forecasting trends
WP4 Integrated Ocean Management
WP4.1 List of conservation objectives
WP4.2 Human impacts
WP4.3 Systematic Conservation Planning
WP4.4 Legal framework
WP5 Research and Monitoring
WP6 Education and knowledge dissemination
Since its inception meeting in 2019 in Cape Town, PHOCIS has been holding workshops on an
annual basis, either online, in-person, or hybrid.
For more info, contact:
Azwianewi Makhado (amakhado@dffe.gov.za) or
Philippe Koubbi (philippe.koubbi@sorbonne-universite.fr)
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.
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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
This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a scientific and/or engineering background, who are eager for an extraordinary experience in a remote Antarctic environment. We are currently assembling a team to participate in the annual relief expedition to SANAE IV, Antarctica. The SANAE IV station in Antarctica lies at 71°S, 2°W – 4280 km from East Pier in Cape Town Harbour. (Photo above taken in 2022 during the annual relief voyage)
Successful candidates will embark on the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel, for a voyage of approximately 14 days to Antarctica. Upon arrival, they will be stationed at the SANAE IV research base for the entire relief period. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the Group Leader/Senior Engineer, assisting with critical infrastructure maintenance, scientific instrument servicing, and logistical operations during the expedition.
For the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), this year’s theme resonates deeply. As custodians of 
Through SANAP’s work, South Africa plays an active role in the international maritime and research community—advancing knowledge about ocean systems, contributing to global climate models, and strengthening collective efforts to safeguard marine environments. The SA Agulhas II is more than just a ship; it is a floating laboratory, a logistical lifeline, and a symbol of our commitment to “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
The PHOCIS project, “Pelagic High Seas Ocean Ecoregionalisation of the Indian Subantarctic,” is
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
