Polar science is alive and well in South Africa.

South Africa has two stations in the sub-Antarctic namely on Marion Island and Gough Island and one on Antarctica (SANAE).

The Prince Edward Island Group (consisting of Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) was annexed in 1947-1948. Since then there has been a permanent human presence on Marion Island (46°54'S 37°45'E). Research on the island include studies on marine mammals, seabirds, plants and invasive species as well as geomorphology.

Gough Island (40°19S 09°55W) is a British Protectorate but South Africa has been operating a weather station there as from 1956. Gough and Inaccessible Islands form a protected wildlife reserve that has been declared an UNESCO World Wide Heritage Site. Research programmes include (amongst others) studies on the seabirds and invasive species. In 2007, it was discovered that mice are eating the Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena), resulting in low breeding success.

South Africa is one of the 12 initial signatory countries to the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. Its first expedition to Antarctica was in the same year. Today, the SANAE IV base71°40S 02°51W) is on Vesleskarvat in Queen Maud Land. While research include physical, earth, life and oceanographic studies, only physical studies are conducted year-round.

For more information on the South African stations and the South African National Antarctic Programme, see

http://www.sanap.org.za/index.html

APECS has been presented at a number of conferences, seminars and schools:

•    Antarctic Science winter school held in Hermanus, South Africa in July 2009

•    South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences Conference held in Tulbagh, South Africa in September 2009

•    GAES Seminar, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa October 2009

•    International Polar Year, Oslo Science Conference, Norway, June 2010

•   Environmental Skill Summit, Pretoria, South Africa, March 2011

•   South African National Antarctic Programme, Midwinter, Pretoria, South Africa, July 2011

•    Young Water Professionals Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, July 2011

APECS and South_SA yahoo group (http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/south_sa/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=1) has been collaborating as from November 2010. 

APECS South Africa is currently aiming to source new members and expand the APECS scientific network bridging the north-south scientific gap.

Cherio

APECS South Africa