
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.

A Chilean company Antarctica21 is planning 17 Antarctica cruises this coming season, leaving from Punta Arenas, the first of which is scheduled for December 3rd, with an only vessel the Magellan Explorer.

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands announced the release of a new stamp set to celebrate the recovering ecosystem of the Territory and in particular whales, according to the latest edition of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Government Newsletter.

No crew member of Argentina's training sailship ARA Libertad was allowed to go ashore as the vessel docked in the Chilean port of Valparaíso while diplomatic tension between the two countries mounts.