Antarctica
AntarcticaComing Antarctic Season 2010/11, the Last for Big Cruise Ships
The Antarctica season beginning in November is likely to be the last one as it has been known. Proposed changes to the type of fuel ships are allowed to burn and carry in this fragile ecosystem have now become a reality, making the future of big cruise ships in Antarctica uncertain.
China interested in krill fisheries to cut foreign dependence
China has sent its ocean-going fishing vessels Kai li and An Xin Hai to the Antarctic for the 2010 krill fishing season. During a 23 day exploratory fishing they caught 2.000 tons of krill, with a daily output of 100 tons, three times than originally expected.
Heavy fuel ban expected to halve Antarctic cruise-only passengers by 2012
Beginning in August 2011, most large cruise ships will no longer be able to sail in Antarctica. The International Maritime Organization last week adopted a ban on using and carrying heavy fuel oil on ships operating in Antarctic waters.
King Penguin with avian pox; “one in zillion” black KP in South Georgia
A small percentage of King Penguins in a variety of locations around the South Georgia Island are suffering from disease, possibly avian pox, reports the latest edition of the South Georgia Newsletter.
“Shrimp surprise” for NASA 200 metres below Antarctica ice
At nearly 200 meters below the ice, there is no light, the temperature is way below zero degrees, and scientists were expecting to find nothing more than a handful of microbes - and for good reason. So it’s easy to understand why they were so surprised to find not a single (evolved) life form, but actually two such creatures.
In spite of bad weather 16 cruise vessels visit South Georgia during February
For South Georgia February was one of the busiest months in the 2009/10 tourist season with sixteen cruise ships and six yachts visiting the island.
Iceberg size of Luxembourg knocks loose and could disrupt weather patterns
An iceberg the size of Luxembourg knocked loose from the Antarctic continent earlier this month could disrupt the ocean currents driving weather patterns around the globe, researchers said on Friday.
Germans record underwater massive iceberg crash into Antarctic ice-shelf
German oceanographers in Antarctica used underwater microphones this month to listen in on a massive iceberg crashing into the Antarctic ice-shelf, which cause a 2 000- metre crack, the ice lab headquarters said on Monday.
Shackleton “Quest” cabin, new show piece for South Georgia Museum
The cabin in which British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton died aboard his ship “Quest” looks set to become an important new artefact at the South Georgia Museum.
Chile announce ambitious Antarctica Strategic Plan
Chile’s Public Works Ministry announced the launching of five new projects in Antarctica.
