Antarctica

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:25 UTC

  South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands announce Marine Protected Area

  

  UK Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham has welcomed the declaration of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:33 UTC

  Tragedy in Antarctica: “much improvisation” and “a great lesson for Chile”

  

  The tragedy in the Antarctic King George Island involving the Brazilian base should be “a great lesson for Chile” and is evidence that research scientists and military personnel coexist in Antarctica under “improvised conditions”.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:29 UTC

  Blaze destroys Brazilian Antarctic base; two dead when generator room exploded

  

  A fire broke out at Brazil's research station in Antarctica on Saturday, killing two navy personnel and forcing the evacuation by helicopter of about 40 other people, the government said.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 04:01 UTC

  Japanese nationals planning to travel to Antarctica must notify Environment Ministry

  

  In an effort to assist travel agents and tour operators with Antarctica travel planning for their Japanese clients and foreign residents of Japan, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is making new information available from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 03:53 UTC

  IAATO public awareness campaign for Antarctica bound yachts

  

  Following a good response to its public awareness campaign focusing on yacht operators, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has continued its efforts during the current 2011-12 season to educate those bound for Antarctica aboard sailing or motor vessels.

• Tuesday, February 21st 2012 - 20:56 UTC

  UK celebrates Captain Scott’s Antarctic achievements and legacy to peace and science

  

  Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham celebrated the Captain Scott expedition's achievements and legacy of peace and science at the Foreign Office on 20 February.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:18 UTC

  HMS Protector meets RRS Ernest Shackleton in Antarctica

  

  Newly commissioned Royal Navy Ice patrol vessel HMS Protector met up with her sister ship, the RRS Ernest Shackleton, in Antarctica recently. Her role as Ice Patrol Ship is to: conduct hydrographical surveys; assist the British Antarctic Survey; conduct base inspections to support the Antarctic Treaty and patrol for unlicensed fishing and visitors

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 21:13 UTC

  UK Science minister calls in the Falklands en route to Antarctica tour

  

  Science and Universities Minister David Willetts has become the latest UK politician to visit the Falklands. A spokesman for Mr Willetts said he would make on Thursday a “transiting visit” en route to an engagement in Antarctica.

• Tuesday, February 14th 2012 - 08:49 UTC

  Set of six stamps dedicated to South Georgia unique shallow marine environment

  

  Shadowed beneath South Georgia’s rugged mountains and glacial valleys lay a rich and colourful seascape of plants and animals. This shallow marine environment has received surprisingly little attention since it was first studied during the Discovery Expeditions in 1925. As South Georgia is situated just south of the Polar Front, where warmer waters from the north meet colder Antarctic water from the south, the region is home to a unique assemblage of South Atlantic and Antarctic animals.

• Monday, February 13th 2012 - 23:11 UTC

  South Africa will have a new multi-purpose polar research vessel next season

  

  The South African 30 years old research and supply ship “SA Agulhas” made her last ever call to King Edward Cove in South Georgia Island on January 15th. She will be replaced by a new icebreaker currently being built in Finland next season, reports the South Georgia Newsletter.