Antarctica

• Tuesday, July 2nd 2019 - 09:55 UTC

  Loss of Antarctica's sea ice cover, particularly since 2014, baffles scientists

  

  After mysteriously expanding for decades, Antarctica's sea ice cover melted by an area four times greater than France in just a few years and now stands at a record low, according to a study published on Monday.

• Monday, July 1st 2019 - 18:40 UTC

  New Acting Executive Director for IAATO

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) confirmed the appointment of Dr. Terry Shaller as Acting Executive Director of IAATO. Mark van der Hulst, Chair of IAATO’s Executive Committee, said, “Terry will lead the Secretariat and work with the Executive Committee to further IAATO’s mission to advocate and promote safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.

• Thursday, June 20th 2019 - 09:42 UTC

  IAATO welcomes ten new members to its responsible Antarctica tourism fold

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has welcomed ten new members into the responsible tourism fold. Members welcomed Provisional Operators Cookson Adventures and Princess Cruises into the Association, while granting provisional operator Albatros Expeditions full Operator status and welcoming Across Latin America – China, Caissa Tourism Group – China, Damen Shipyards, Lamei Tours China, Mystic Cruises, Pelorus and Pro Fuels as Associate Members, at its annual meeting, held in Cape Town, South Africa.

• Monday, June 17th 2019 - 15:14 UTC

  Bank of Estonia will celebrate bicentenary of Antarctica's discovery with a €2 coin

  

  The Bank of Estonia has unveiled last 14 June the design that has been approved to mark the bicentenary anniversary of the first discovery of Antarctica, which will be celebrated in 2020, according to Coin Update News.

• Wednesday, June 12th 2019 - 09:12 UTC

  Antarctica tour operates announces new restrictions on commercial drone use by visitors

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators has announced robust new restrictions on commercial drone use in Antarctica. The constraints, voted in at IAATO’s annual meeting in Cape Town, South Africa (April 30 – May 3), mean those using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for commercial purposes on IAATO vessels will have new restrictions limiting piloting opportunities.

• Thursday, June 6th 2019 - 07:00 UTC

  Busiest day of the year for Antarctic Tour Operators as IAATO Ship Scheduler opens

  

  The Antarctic travel season may still be months away, but responsible Antarctic tour operators from across the globe experienced their busiest day of the year on Tuesday, June 5, as the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators’ (IAATO) Ship Scheduler opens.

• Wednesday, June 5th 2019 - 09:07 UTC

  Antarctica Tour Operators pledge to turn tide on plastics with new waste reduction guidelines

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has pledged to turn the tide on plastics with new guidelines set to reduce single-use plastic use among visitors to the white continent.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2019 - 09:51 UTC

  New wharf for South Georgia: extra berth for polar vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough

  

  An £8.15 million contract to build a new wharf at the remote Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia is awarded to BAM Nuttall this week. The contract is part of a major investment programme to modernize the UK’s Antarctic infrastructure.

• Friday, May 17th 2019 - 09:39 UTC

  IAATO Operators redevelop Ship Scheduler process to prepare for tourism growth

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is redeveloping its ship scheduling process, as part of its commitment to ‘leave only footprints’ through the effective self-management of guest activities.

• Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:50 UTC

  Vital role of penguins and seals poo for Antarctica bio-diversity

  

  For more than half a century, biologists studying Antarctica focused their research on understanding how organisms cope with the continent's severe drought and the coldest conditions on the planet. One thing they didn't really factor in, however, was the role played by the nitrogen-rich droppings from colonies of cute penguins and seals - until now.