News Stories – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

Update: Incident involving FV ARGOS GEORGIA

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin July 23, 2024

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.

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin July 15, 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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin June 19, 2024

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin August 17, 2022

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin July 5, 2022

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin June 10, 2022

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin June 8, 2022

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin January 5, 2022

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin December 16, 2021

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin November 9, 2021

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin September 1, 2021

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin August 16, 2021

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin July 14, 2021

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)

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin December 28, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin December 7, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin November 13, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin November 11, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin October 15, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin August 28, 2020

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

Latest News, News StoriesBy admin August 5, 2020

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.