Background

For some 200 years the island of South Georgia hosted first a sealing and then a whaling industry that ended in the mid 1960s. Scientists first based themselves on the island in 1882; today there are two permanent research stations manned by British Antarctic Survey staff.

In 1916 Sir Ernest Shackleton famously crossed the island to alert the world of the plight of his ill-fated expedition. He subsequently died there in 1922 and is buried on the island in the cemetery at Grytviken. In 1982 war came to the island with the Argentine invasion. Afterwards a military garrison remained until it was withdrawn in 2001. The South Georgia Museum at Grytviken was established in 1992 in the whaling manager's villa. Today it provides fine exhibits that display the island's environmental and historical heritage.

A vibrant tourist industry brings thousands of people to visit the island each year. Annually around a dozen yachts and half as many expeditions brave the island's potentially hostile character. The Government is responsible for the island's environment and natural resources. Strict regulations protect the wildlife and plants ashore.

Fisheries

The island's commercial fishery, which includes Antarctic krill, icefish and Patagonian toothfish is managed by the Government in close conjunction with the commission for the conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The award of the prestigious Marine Stewardship Council Accreditation has influenced and validated the Government's approach to a sustainable management of the island's Patagonian toothfish fishery.