Invitation To Tender
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) invites tenders for the Time Charter of a UK-flagged Patrol, Security and Fisheries Protection Vessel (FPV).
Entry Permit Scheme Launch for 2025-26 Tourism Season
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are pleased to announce that from today we will be accepting applications for Entry Permit Scheme for all who wish to visit South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The vast majority of people entering South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for work or visitor purposes will now require an Entry Permit.
One Month Until The Launch Of The Government’s New Entry Permit Scheme
There is just one month to go before the introduction of the Government’s new entry permit scheme is introduced for those wishing to visit South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Sustainable Fisheries At South Georgia
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) operates three strictly regulated fisheries within the SGSSI sustainable-use MPA. The primary fishery is for toothfish, a large, long-lived member of the Antarctic cod family but more commonly known as Chilean sea bass. Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) are fished at both South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and there is a small monitoring fishery for Antarctic toothfish (D. mawsoni) at the South Sandwich Islands.
Biosecurity Dog Programme Contract
Biosecurity Dog Programme Contract May 13, 2025 We are seeking a contractor to provide continuity to our biosecurity dog program services, based in Stanley, Falkland Islands. Provision of handlers and dogs for the detection of rodents aboard vessels and cargo bound for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Able to deploy anywhere in the…
Life On South Georgia As A Government Officer
Life On South Georgia As A Government Officer. A blog by Nadine Orme.
Conserving The Jewel Of The Southern Ocean
Since joining GSGSSI in 2018 as Director of Fisheries and Environment, Dr Mark Belchier has been responsible for managing an area of extremely remote sub-Antarctic Ocean to ensure the conservation of the region’s extraordinary marine biodiversity. The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA has become a model for how conservation can be achieved alongside highly precautionary tourism and sustainable fisheries.
New Electronic Permit System For Visitors
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands has announced that will launch a new electronic permit system (EPS) for visitors to the Territories in advance of the next tourist season, replacing the current system of levying landing fees by an individual visitor permit charge.
Iceberg A23a Grounded On The Continental Self
The world’s largest iceberg has run aground in shallow waters off the Island of South Georgia. The iceberg, which is about twice the size of Greater London, appears to be stuck on the continental shelf and should start breaking up on the island’s south-west shores.
Statement From Argos Georgia
The tragic events of Monday the 22nd of July leading to the loss of thirteen of our Officers and Crew have been well documented and communicated by the Falkland Island Government.
Update: Incident involving FV ARGOS GEORGIA
Following an incident yesterday afternoon roughly 200 nautical miles east of Stanley that led to uncontrolled flooding, 27 crew members from the fishing vessel Argos Georgia were forced to abandon ship shortly after 4PM local time and crew members took to life rafts. The BFSAI A-400M ‘Atlas’ was the first asset on scene and was able to track and report the and position of the life rafts. Between the BFSAI ‘Atlas’ and A-330 ‘Voyager’ aircraft, overwatch has been maintained overnight and continues.
GSGSSI Stakeholder Meeting, July 2024.
GSGSSI Stakeholder Meeting, July 2024 July 15, 2024 On the 9th July 2024, GSGSSI welcomed friends and colleagues to the Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge for the annual South Georgia Stakeholder Meeting. Owing to global events, this was the first in-person stakeholder meeting since 2019 and it reinforced just how important it is for us to…
Visitor Related Fee Increases for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
GSGSSI has published the fees and charges for the 24/25 austral summer season. These will take effect from 1 July 2024.
Successful Provider For Yacht Charter To Support Albatross Survey Announced
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.
Government Declares Protected Area Covering South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands
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’.
Launch of a new Data Portal to support the South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area
A new Data Portal is being launched today by the British Antarctic Survey and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, which will help to enhance the management of one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Updated Non-Native Plant Management Strategy Released
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, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has committed to comprehensive invasive plant management.
Centenary of The Death of Sir Ernest Shackleton
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.
Amateur Radio Licensing – Update
Following a period of consultation, and subsequent review of responses, the GSGSSI have finalised and approved a policy for issuing Amateur Radio Licences using the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance Cap 78.
The Blue Belt Programme Stamps Release
Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands releases a stamp set to celebrate its involvement in the UK Blue Belt Programme.
Ecosystems In Recovery – Whales
Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands are delighted to announce the release of a new stamp set to celebrate the recovering ecosystem of the Territory and in particular whales.
Amateur Radio Licences
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has been working with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Falkland Islands Communications Regulator to be able to re-issue amateur radio licences for the Territory.
Safeguarding South Georgia’s Blue Belt
Following a horizon scanning exercise which identified marine invasive species as a key threat, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is excited to embark on a marine biosecurity project with the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI).
Heavy Fuel Oil (Prohibition of Carriage and Use)
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.
RAF A400m Aircraft Conducts Reconnaissance On A68a Iceberg
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.
South Georgia Congratulates Tristan da Cunha and Celebrates 4 Years of the Blue Belt Programme
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.
Duty And Sacrifice – Shackleton’s Unsung Heroes Stamp Release
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.
New Definitive Stamp Set Released
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:
Amateur Radio Licences
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.
‘From the Air’ Stamps Released
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.