Enhanced Measures for Terrestrial Protected Area Introduced For South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
(30th October 2023)
Today the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has introduced a comprehensive Management Plan and new regulations to further protect terrestrial habitats and the remarkable animals and plants found there.
In 2022, the entire 3,800km2 of the landmass of the Territories was declared a Terrestrial Protected Area. Complementing the Marine Protection Area for the SGSSI Maritime Zone, the new Management Plan and regulations announced today will ensure that all our land and sea territories, are managed for the continued conservation of biodiversity while delivering sustainable, low impact activities including tourism. These two Protected Areas together ensure that GSGSSI can continue to safeguard and promote a global rarity, an ecosystem in recovery.
Since 2021, GSGSSI has been working with our stakeholders to deliver a management plan for that TPA and to enhance the legal protection afforded to the area. GSGSSI is today pleased to announce that with the publication of the Management Plan and Regulations this work has now been finalised.
At the heart of the Management Plan are our key overarching objectives of conservation, protection and preservation of the ecosystem and restoration of biodiversity and ensuring that all activities are carried out sustainably with minimal impact on the ecosystem.
An Advisory Group will inform the GSGSSI on the delivery of the management plan and will play a key role in the development of an associated Research and Monitoring Plan. The Management Plan is supported by new regulations that come into effect today, bringing into our permit regime a range of activities that could be damaging to the environment and to the delivery of the Management Plan’s objectives. Such activities will only be permitted after a rigorous assessment of their impact.
In announcing the finalisation of the Management Plan and coming into effect of the regulations to underpin it, Her Excellency Ms Alison Blake CMG, HM Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, said “As Commissioner I am delighted that we have completed the next stage in protecting the unique ecosystem of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. I am confident that we can continue to ensure that these islands remain an ecosystem in recovery, delivering globally significant science, a world class sustainable fishery and enjoyed by thousands of visitors.”
Adding her support, Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey said,
“We’re proud to have contributed to the development of the new Management Plan, which will aid the recovery of this unique place in the context of a world grappling with human impacts. British Antarctic Survey has enjoyed a special relationship with South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands for many years through the long-term science that we do there. It’s wonderful that this work can now feedback to support the conservation and protection of the ecosystems that we study.”
In welcoming the publication of the Management Plan and the regulations Dr Megan Tierney from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee , said: It has been a privilege for JNCC to be part of the Advisory Group and input to the new SGSSI TPA Management Plan, which reflects the commitment made by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) to protect its unique habitats and species. The plan will help to ensure these islands have the right protection in place to conserve their incredible biodiversity. As part of JNCC’s commitment to working with our nature-rich UK Overseas Territories, we are looking forward to working with GSGSSI to deliver and implement the next phase of the plan.
