By Andrea Kavanagh (*) - On October 28, 2016, global leaders made history by designating one of the most productive and healthy stretches of the ocean as the world’s largest marine protected area (MPA).
Due to an administrative oversight in the new Falkland Islands Communications Ordinance implemented way back in 2017, new VP8 licenses for use in the former Falkland Islands Dependencies have not been available for some years now.
Punta Arenas, as the capital of the Chilean Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctica, will finally have its International Antarctic Center making the city the logistic hub and gate of access to Western Antarctica, following on the regional council's decision to support and finance the 88 million dollars project as part of the development program for Extreme Zones.
Despite the global pandemic, the strong strategic relationship between the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has gone from strength to strength. Following the success of the previous austral summer research season, the Falkland Islands is once again positioned to be the gateway for exciting and important Antarctic science over the next six to nine months.
Argentina's INIDEP, National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development has started an assessment cruise of Patagonian juvenile toothfish, (Dissostichus eleginoides) on board the commercial vessel “Centurion del Atlántico”, belonging to Estemar S.A.
The Chilean Antarctic Institute, Inach, Germany's International Cooperation Agency, GIZ, and the Antarctica Foundation 21 have started working in energy options, assessing alternatives for the Chilean bases in the continent, avoiding CO2 emissions, such as green hydrogen.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is preparing for the start of the Antarctic travel season following months of discussion and collaboration with Antarctic gateways.
A new Research and Monitoring Plan is being launched today to help support the management of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and Marine Protection Area, MPA, points out the SGSSI Newsletter.
The recent decision by Silverseas Cruises to move its operations to neighboring Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams in Chile, has shaken Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia officials who are complaining that the Argentine government, despite promises, has yet to deliver the sanitary protocol for vessels and crew, calling in Ushuaia, plus announcing when borders will be opened.
Punta Arenas, the extreme south of Chile will be hosting Silversea Cruises as its base of operations, having decided to abandon Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. Silversea announced a release in which it makes official its Antarctic cruise operations during the 2021/22 season, following an agreement with Chilean officials.