News Archive

Following sympathetic restoration, South Georgia’s ‘Main Store’ depicts what life on the subantarctic island was like during the mid-20th century. The original Main Store on the subantarctic island of South Georgia has opened to visitors for the very first time, after almost five years of sympathetic restoration and curation by GSGSSI and SGHT.Historic Former Whaling Building Has Opened For The First Time[...]

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) manages sustainable fisheries for toothfish, icefish and krill in the SGSSI Maritime Zone. The Government takes an ecosystem-based precautionary approach to fisheries management, underpinned by scientific research and robust monitoring and enforcement, and demands high standards across all aspects of fisheries management.Invitation To Tender – Scientific Fisheries Observer Provision[...]

His Majesty King Charles III has been graciously pleased to approve the awarding of the Polar Medal to Mr Steven Brown, who until March 2022 was the GSGSSI Director of Operations. The medal is awarded for outstanding achievement and service to the United Kingdom in the field of polar research.Steve Brown Awarded The Polar Medal[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is proud to promote and encourage science that contributes to developing and upholding best-practice environmental management and that supports the active management and good governance of the Territory. We are therefore delighted by the announcement of the new Darwin Local funding round to support small scale environmental projects within the Overseas Territories.Darwin Plus Local: Round 1, 2023/24[...]

Today GSGSSI are delighted to announce the release of the second in a four- part series of stamps set to celebrate the South Sandwich Islands. Parts 1 and 2 of this series were approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and printed together in 2021.South Sandwich Islands Stamp Release[...]

As a part of the Government’s wide ranging policy review, serveral new policy positions have been issued.GSGSSI Policy Updates[...]

The latest version of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Biosecurity Handbook is now available. The Handbook details the procedures which are in place to help reduce the risk of harmful non-native species and disease entering the Territory and steps in place to detect them and limit their spread should they arriveBiosecurity Handbook[...]

Her Excellency the Commissioner expresses her deepest condolences, and those of all the members of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.Her Excellency the Commissioner Deepest Condolences[...]

Following a thorough tendering process, the Government of South Georgia has announced that the vessel Vinson of Antarctica has been selected to support a wandering albatross survey planned for 2024.Successful Provider For Yacht Charter To Support Albatross Survey Announced[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is pleased to announce the opening of the consultation period for the Specially Protected Area Management Plan and Regulations.Consultation On Terrestrial Protected Area Management Plan And Supporting Regulations[...]

GSGSSI wishes to update the specification as follows: The yacht/operator should be registered with IAATO, or demonstrate equivalent standards of vessel management and crew education, and have all necessary safety systems and insurances for operating in South Georgia. A revised closing date for applications is 29th July.Invitation To Tender Yacht Charter To Support Wandering Albatross Surveys[...]

Today, 5th July, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) announced the designation of the entire landmass of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) as Specially Protected Areas, fulfilling the commitment it made in the ‘Pathway to Protection’.Government Declares Protected Area Covering South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands[...]

In 2024, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) will be undertaking a census of wandering albatross on South Georgia alongside various complementary terrestrial monitoring activities. To support this, GSGSSI requires to charter a yacht. We invite operators to tender for the provision of this service.Invitation To Tender - Yacht Charter To Support Wandering Albatross Surveys[...]

A new Data Portal is being launched today by the British Antarctic Survey and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), which will help to enhance the management of one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).Launch of a new Data Portal to support the Marine Protected Area[...]

The control and management of non-native species is a key factor in ensuring that South Georgia continues to be an ecosystem in recovery. Under the Protect, Sustain, Inspire framework, GSGSSI has committed to comprehensive invasive plant management. We are delighted to launch our updated Non-Native Plant Management Strategy to deliver that goal.Updated Non-Native Plant Management Strategy Released[...]

Updated Regulated Activity Permit application forms for the 2022/23 season are now available. The application portal should be used by anyone wishing to visit South Georgia to conduct science or media activities. We are anticipating a high volume of applications in the coming austral summer so anyone planning a project is advised to begin the application process asap.Regulated Activity Permit applications for 2022/23[...]

GSGSSI is proud to promote and encourage science that contributes to developing and upholding best-practice environmental management that supports the active management and good governance of the Territory.Darwin Plus Main Initiative: Round 11, 2022/23[...]

In 1982, the island of South Georgia experienced the only armed conflict in its history. Forty years on, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands commemorates the liberation with the following video.Short Film Celebrating 40 Years Since Liberation[...]

In 1982, the island of South Georgia experienced the only armed conflict in its history. Forty years on, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands commemorates the conflict and reflects on the progress of the island since that time.40th Anniversary Of Liberation Stamp Set[...]

SGSSI has been featured in the New York Times as a shining example of world-leading conservation with measurable positive impact. Charting the visible return of biodiversity within the territory during the lifetime of those who have worked there, the article showcases the role humans have to play in improving the natural environment whilst still living and working in it, underlining how governments can be a force for positive change.Abundance, Exploitation, Recovery: A Portrait of South Georgia[...]

After a thorough recruitment and selection process, GSGSSI are proud to announce the appointment of Allison Kean as the our new Visitor Management Officer.Allison Kean - Visitor Management Officer[...]

Following a highly competitive recruitment process, GSGSSI are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Winn as our new Director of Operations.New Director of Operations – Steve Winn[...]

GSGSSI are pleased to announce the opening of the licence application round for the 2022 South Georgia toothfish fishery. For details on how to apply please contact the Director of Fisheries by email - dof@gov.gsToothfish Licence Application Round[...]

Commemoration and celebration of the life and achievements of Robert ‘Bob’ Burton (1941-2022) will be held at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, at 1130-1500 on Saturday 9 April 2022. Restrictions in force mean that only a limited number of people can be accommodated in person at the venue.Robert ‘Bob’ Burton - Commemoration and Celebration[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is seeking your views on the proposed new Entry Control Ordinance. This Ordinance will replace the current Immigration legislation to put in place modern legislation to control the entry of persons in the South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.Public Consultation On A Proposed New Entry Control Ordinance[...]

This week, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands was delighted to release a stamp set to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of The South Georgia Museum.South Georgia Museum Stamp Release[...]

The January 2022 Newsletter can now be read: Bob Burton; Covid-19 Policy For Visiting Vessels; New Research and Monitoring Plan for the Marine Protected Area; Spatial Segregation of Seabirds at South Georgia; Sir Ernest Shackleton Service and more.South Georgia Newsletter[...]

GSGSSI was very saddened to hear of the passing of Robert (Bob) Burton last Saturday, 15th January. Bob had an association with the island spanning over seven decades having first visited in 1964 and in 2018 received the Morag Husband Campbell Medal.Bob Burton[...]

Today it is 100 years since the death of Sir Ernest Shackleton. To mark this occasion, South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, the British Antarctic Territory and the Falkland Islands, have joined together to release a series of stamps celebrating his life and achievements.Centenary of The Death of Sir Ernest Shackleton[...]