Terrestrial Protected Area

In 2022, the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) designated the entire 3,800 km² landmass of the territory as a Terrestrial Protected Area (TPA). This ambitious conservation measure was introduced to safeguard an ecosystem globally recognized for its biodiversity and remarkable ecological recovery. The TPA complements the existing 1.24‑million‑km² Marine Protected Area (MPA), together forming a rare, fully integrated land‑and‑sea conservation framework.

The designation reflects the exceptional ecological value of SGSSI, home to some of the world’s most significant wildlife concentrations, including millions of penguins, vast seal colonies, and globally important seabird populations such as albatrosses and petrels. Decades of conservation action — most notably the eradication of invasive rats and reindeer — have enabled many native species to rebound. Building on these successes, the 2023 Management Plan sets out clear objectives for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, supported by strengthened regulations requiring rigorous environmental assessments for activities with potential ecological impact.

A key feature of the TPA is its differentiated management approach for South Georgia versus the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia, already a site for regulated research and carefully managed tourism, will remain accessible under stricter protections and enhanced monitoring. In contrast, the South Sandwich Islands — extremely remote, largely undisturbed, and among the least impacted island ecosystems on Earth — are closed to visitors. Access is only granted under special circumstances for scientific work or projects that advance public understanding of the islands.

Supporting the TPA Management Plan is the Research and Monitoring Plan, launched in 2025. This plan guides scientific activity essential for the sustainable management of the TPA. It evaluates existing monitoring programs, identifies data gaps, and aligns research efforts with core conservation goals: ecosystem protection, biodiversity restoration, and minimizing human impact. Organized around thematic research priorities, the plan sets out the monitoring required to track environmental change and assess the effects of human activities across the territory.

Those wishing to undertake activities other than tourism within the SGSSI TPA are likely to need a Regulated Activity Permit.