Conservation Efforts in South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands: A Model for Sustainable Management
Located in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands is a UK Overseas Territory renowned for its pristine environment and diverse wildlife. The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands has taken a proactive approach to conservation, establishing one of the world’s largest sustainable use Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and implementing stringent requirements for banks operating in the region.
Stringent Requirements for Banks
To protect the marine life and environment, the Government has designated an MPA that covers over 1.3 million square kilometers of ocean. This unique partnership between fishers, NGOs, scientists, and Government has resulted in no albatross being caught in the South Georgia fishery.
Fisheries Management
The Government invests around £1 million annually in fisheries management and scientific research to protect biodiversity, which underpins its precautionary approach to fisheries management and MPA. This investment is made possible by revenue from sustainable fishing.
- The South Georgia toothfish fishery has received one of the highest Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications.
- The Government manages fisheries under the auspices of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, going beyond international standards to operate some of the best-managed fisheries in the world.
Waste Management and Pollution Prevention
To prevent pollution from entering the seas surrounding the islands, the Government has developed strict waste management protocols that must be implemented by all vessels visiting South Georgia. Long-term monitoring of marine debris and current research into the impact of plastics are being undertaken in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey.
National Biodiversity Action Plan
The Convention on Biological Diversity was extended to South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in 2014, and the Government has published its National Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan sets out an ambitious vision for conservation, including:
- Designation of a system of Terrestrial Protected Areas
- Protection of albatrosses, including breeding sites and research collaborations with stakeholders
- Eradication of non-native invasive species
Conservation Efforts
The Government has also launched several conservation efforts, including:
Rodent Eradication Project
A £7.5 million rodent eradication project has been concluded, which has already delivered significant results for the world’s southernmost songbird, the South Georgia pipit.
Biosecurity Requirements
The Government invests in stringent biosecurity requirements to protect the Territory from non-native invasive species and conducts hundreds of biosecurity checks on cargo each year.