News Archive

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is proud to share its new stewardship framework for SGSSI called ‘Protect Sustain Inspire’. This document has been developed to reflect our passion for environmental recovery and resilience through world-leading, evidence-based sustainable management. It sets out 4 guiding values that will underpin the Government of SGSSI’s vision; environmental protection, evidence-based decision-making, sustainability and openness.Protect Sustain Inspire[...]

Today the Government of South Georgia marks the 246th year since Captain Cook claimed South Georgia for King and country. On 17th January 1775 a small party of men landed on a beach beneath snowy peaks and tumbling glaciers. In charge was an officer by the name of James Cook; the British Flag was planted, a volley of musket shot was fired, and the land was claimed for His Britannic Majesty.Possession Day - 17th January 2021[...]

Today we start sharing the headline vision, values and goals for the fresh values-driven approach to the stewardship of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands that will lead us through the next 5 years. The launch is the culmination of a huge amount of work across the whole team, consulting widely with colleagues and stakeholders openly about what the future activities and goals on South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands should be.Protect, Sustain, Inspire[...]

In December 2018, following the first 5 year independent review of our Marine Protected Area, a series of enhancements to the MPA were brought into legislation in mid-2019. We additionally committed to prohibiting the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil through our Maritime Zone by 31 December 2020.Heavy Fuel Oil (Prohibition of Carriage and Use)[...]

The October – November Newsletter can now be read: RAF A400m Aircraft Conducts Reconnaissance On A68a Iceberg; SGSSI Celebrates Inaugural Polar Pride Day; Smell A Rat? How Biosecurity Dogs Safeguard South Georgia’s Ecology and more.South Georgia Newsletter[...]

Rebecca Honeybone accompanied the RAF on this flight as the representative for GSGSSI and was staggered by its beauty and size and that it seemed to appear out of the clouds from nowhere. There will be more information about the iceberg in the coming weeks as the British Antarctic Survey consider the potential impacts on wildlife and the ocean around South Georgia. There will also be the chance to see more of the incredible footage and images gathered during the flight.RAF A400m Aircraft Conducts Reconnaissance On A68a Iceberg[...]

Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and the Government of the British Antarctic Territory are celebrating the inaugural Polar Pride Day. This day demonstrates a commitment to support and enhance Diversity in Polar Science. To mark the day photos and stories are being shared on social media using the hashtag #PolarPride.  At King Edward Point and Bird Island all station personnel have got involved with celebrating this important day.South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Celebrates Inaugural Polar Pride Day[...]

GSGSSI would like to congratulate Tristan da Cunha on the establishment of their new Marine Protection Zone. With the establishment of this protected area, Tristan da Cunha joins South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and other UK Overseas Territories, including Ascension, St Helena, Pitcairn and the British Indian Ocean Territory, in making a lasting commitment to protect the waters surrounding these incredible islands.South Georgia Congratulates Tristan da Cunha and Celebrates 4 Years of the Blue Belt Programme[...]

Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands releases a new stamp set to honour the duty and sacrifice shown by Shackleton’s men during the First World War.Duty And Sacrifice – Shackleton’s Unsung Heroes Stamp Release[...]

Due to the high level of interest in these posts we are having to delay our responses to applicants, we now plan to notify applicants about whether they have been selected for interview after the 7th November.Government Officer Posts[...]

Today is the first official Environment Day public holiday in South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI). Environment Day is a celebration of having the environment at the heart of all decisions and a commitment to value and protect all of South Georgia, from the whales, penguins and seals to the invertebrates and algae.30th October 2020 - Environment Day[...]

The August – September Newsletter can now be read: South Georgia – A Visitor’s Guide Film; Consultation Period Opens On A New SGSSI Strategic Framework; Annual Report; Annual Stakeholder Meeting; We Are Recruiting!South Georgia Newsletter[...]

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands opens the consultation period on a new strategic framework.Consultation Period On A New Strategic Framework[...]

Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is delighted to release its latest set of definitive stamps. Each of the stamps in the new definitive represents an iconic image for SGSSI and has a story of restoration and hope:New Definitive Stamp Set Released[...]

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[...]