News Archive

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is excited to announce the launch of its new film ‘South Georgia – A Visitor’s Guide’, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The film has two key messages; firstly, it encourages visitors to respect and protect the island so their visit can be truly sustainable, but there is another message which is relevant to us all; proof that nature can recover, if we give it the chance.South Georgia – A Visitor’s Guide[...]

Over the last 4 months the Falkland Islands Communication Regulator has been revalidating Falkland Islands Amateur Radio Licences. The key reason for this was to bring the Amateur Radio Licences into compliance with the Communication Ordinance 2019. However, this has thrown up that South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (and the British Antarctic Territory) is not covered by the provisions of the jurisdiction of the Falkland Island Communications Regulator.Amateur Radio Licences[...]

The 2019 Annual Report has been published. Commissioner Nigel Philips CBE notes in his opening address that 2020 has been an extraordinary year and whilst it continues to be the Covid-19 pandemic that dominates our current thinking, it is valuable to reflect on the achievements of 2019. We showed that by working together with stakeholders we remain true to our principles of stewardship, environmental protection, world-class biosecurity measures and evidence-based decision making.2019 Annual Report[...]

During the uncertain times the pandemic has presented, GSGSSI were glad to be able to speak directly to tourism industry representatives on the 5th August during a virtual meeting hosted by IAATO.Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Season Update[...]

The June – July Newsletter can now be read: South Georgia Stands Ready To Welcome Visitors; ‘From the Air’ Stamps Released; 18 November declared Pride Day; Darwin Plus Initiative; Isolated Winter Fieldwork on Bird IslandSouth Georgia Newsletter[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is delighted to announce the release of a new stamp set which gives a new perspective on the Territory…from the air.‘From the Air’ Stamps Released[...]

GSGSSI 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 latest round of Darwin Initiative funding and welcome applications that will contribute to the broader aims of the Government.Darwin Plus Initiative: Round 9, 2020/21[...]

This week the Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich (SGSSI) will celebrate the contribution of LGBTQ+ people by declaring 18 November as Pride Day in the Territories. The declaration demonstrates a commitment to support and enhance Diversity in Polar Science.18 November Declared Pride Day[...]

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a range of obstacles to navigate in order for the 2020/21 tourism season to take place, however GSGSSI is committed to meet the challenge and facilitate visits where possible, without compromising on our commitment to safe and environmentally sensitive tourism. South Georgia remains free from COVID-19 and we will be taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. We have been working on a detailed plan to help deliver a tourism season and develop measures to provide the safeguards needed to protect South Georgia.South Georgia Stands Ready To Welcome Visitors[...]

Deadline now extended to the 14th of June: We are writing a plan to help protect South Georgia and its wildlife and we need your help! South Georgia is a special place. Right at the bottom of the Atlantic, near Antarctica, it is home to more seabirds and seals than anywhere else on earth. Our plan will describe how we will make sure that South Georgia remains safe and protected, and a place that can be enjoyed for years to come, and we’d like your ideas.‘Future South Georgia’ competition[...]

The completion marks the latest milestone for the £140m UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme commissioned by UKRI-NERC and undertaken by the BAS. The new wharf and mooring dolphin provide the extra capability required to berth the new UK polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The MV Pharos SG, fishery patrol and logistics support vessel, will also use the new wharf.Sub-Antarctic Island Celebrates Shackleton Day With New Wharf For The RRS Sir David Attenborough[...]

The February – March Newsletter can now be read: GSGSSI – COVID-19 Update; Blue Whale Comeback At South Georgia!; King Edward Point – Project Blog; SGSSI In The News; Latest Videos And Photos.South Georgia Newsletter[...]

South Georgia remains free from Covid-19. GSGSSI have implemented strict procedures to minimise the risk of exposure to staff at South Georgia, and work continues in as normal a fashion as possible on the island. The tourist season is now complete and Grytviken will remain closed to visitors until at least August 2020. The wharf development continues with works entering the final phase, and preparations for the upcoming fishing season are continuing.GSGSSI COVID-19 Update[...]

In response to the fast evolving global pandemic of COVID-19 the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands has decided to suspend visits to King Edward Point and Grytviken until the end of this tourist season. This means that the Museum and Post Office operations at Grytviken are closed.Precautionary Measures at Grytviken[...]

The December – January Newsletter can now be read: Joint Statement On Search For Missing C-130; South Georgia Celebrates Possession Day; GSGSSI Biosecurity Dog Programme; King Edward Point Wharf Development: Grytviken Whaling Station and more.South Georgia Newsletter[...]

245 years ago on 17th January, James Cook, after 3 years at sea, took possession of South Georgia and claimed the land for His Britannic Majesty, King George the Third. On what must have been a routine summer’s day in the South West Atlantic, the explorer described what he had discovered as a ‘land doomed by nature to perpetual frigidness’.South Georgia Celebrates Possession Day 2020[...]

British Forces South Atlantic Islands wishes to extend its condolences to the family of all those tragically lost on Monday 9th December. The Commander of BFSAI thanks all who contributed to supporting the UK’s search effort for the missing Chilean C-130 aircraft. The search made full use of assets and personnel available including military resources and those of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and the Falkland Islands Government.Joint Statement On Search For Missing C-130[...]

The October – November Newsletter can now be read: Biosecurity Dog Programme Commences; Science Morning; New Wharf At King Edward Point; Site-Specific Commission: Grytviken Whaling Station, South Georgia and more.South Georgia Newsletter[...]

The Government is pleased to announce the launch the next mackerel icefish licensing round. The documentation published today provides information for anyone applying for a two-year licence to fish for mackerel icefish in the South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Maritime Zone for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasonsLaunch of 2-Year Mackerel Icefish Licensing Round[...]

In September of this year, The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands welcomed over 40 scientists to Kew Gardens to share with others, mainly scientists who have recently worked on SGSSI, why South Georgia is so important to their work.2019 Science Morning[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is pleased to announce the release of its latest stamp issue, which marks the centenary of the Scott Polar Research Institute. Founded in 1920, as part of the University of Cambridge, the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) is the oldest international centre for polar research within a university.Centenary of the Scott Polar Research Institute - Stamp Release[...]

Heavy Fuel Oil Prohibition brought into force across the South Sandwich Islands following GSGSSI announcements in December 2018. No vessels have been permitted to use Heavy fuel Oil in the area identified in the Heavy Fuel Oil (Prohibition of Carriage and Use) Ordinance 2019 (No 5 of 2019) since last December. This will be extended to cover the whole of our Marine Protected Area (MPA) by 31 December 2020.Heavy Fuel Oil Prohibition Brought Into Force Across The South Sandwich Islands[...]

GSGSSI has made amendments to the 2019 Customs Order to remove the distinction between yachts and other vessels. This will see an increase in the Customs Fees payable by yachts.Customs Order Amendments To Remove Distinction Between Yachts And Other Vessels[...]

GSGSSI is delighted to announce the start of a new Biosecurity Dog Programme. This long-term programme follows intensive pilot studies and trials using specially trained rodent detection dogs to ‘sniff out’ rodents hiding on vessels or in cargo bound for South Georgia, and therefore to prevent them reaching South Georgia.Biosecurity Dog Programme Commences[...]

The Habitats Restored stamp issue, which celebrates the recovery of the South Georgia environment following the removal of invasive species, is now available to buy online and in post office shops in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.Habitats Restored Stamps[...]

The Aug – Sept Newsletter can now be read: Annual Report; Financial Statements; Biosecurity Review And Release Of Handbook; Science and Stakeholder Event; Pauline Carr – RIP; New South Georgia Museum Curator Appointed and moreSouth Georgia Newsletter[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands today publishes its Annual Report 2018 and Financial Statements to 31 December 2018. The report gives an overview of the governments principal activities in 2018 across the key areas of its strategy. The Financial Statements show a surplus of £1.8 for 2018, taking our General Revenue Fund to over £10m.Latest GSGSSI Annual Report and GSGSSI Financial Statements[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands today releases the 2019-2020 Biosecurity Handbook. Ensuring South Georgia’s biodiversity is protected from invasive species is every visitor’s responsibility, from Government employee to tourist and remains a strategic priority for GSGSSI. We remain constantly alert to new biosecurity threats and ensure our policies remain up to date and reflect best practice standards. In order to achieve this, each year we undertake a review of biosecurity within the Territory.Annual Biosecurity Review & Release of the 2019-2020 Biosecurity Handbook[...]

The June - July Newsletter can now be read: Happy Midwinter From South Georgia!; Environmental Impact Assessment; GSGSSI Releases Visitor Documentation; Marine Biologist; Discovery of Rare Lava Lake and moreSouth Georgia Newsletter[...]

The February - June Newsletter can now be read. GSGSSI Enshrines Into Law MPA Announcements; Greenlight For South Georgia Wharf; SGSSI Financial Statements; Stakeholder Visit To South Georgia.South Georgia Newsletter Copy[...]