SANAP mammalogists work with an Antarctic seal among the sea ice of the Southern Ocean, with South Africa’s Antarctic research and supply ship, the S.A. Agulhas II, standing by
In October last year researchers participating in the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) came together for a two-day strategic workshop to discuss a way forward for the country’s involvement and activities in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions (click here).
A decision of the workshop was to report on its deliberations by way of a publication in a scientific journal. Isabelle Ansorge (Head of the Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town) stepped up for the challenge and produced a draft manuscript for consideration by the workshop participants. The ms has now been published as a multi-authored review in the May/June issue of the South African Journal of Science.
The Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) contributed to the section on human enterprise in the paper, drawing attention to the research fields of geopolitics and legal aspects, human history and archaeology, arts, architecture and literature and social adaptation and human impact.
The review concludes: “It is critical that, in future years, SANAP continues to remain well positioned to respond to new breakthroughs and new environmental challenges and, at the same time, remains effective in its ability to foster innovation and discovery. Workshops such as the one reported on here are essential to allow scientists to align Antarctic research priorities to national priorities, thereby ensuring a cohesive vision for future research priorities. At a time of tightening budgets and unforeseen cuts in research and logistical support and limited access outside of logistical voyages, the need to prioritise the scientific and societal demands of South Africa remains our greatest challenge. Notwithstanding, Antarctic and Southern Ocean research has made, and will continue to make, pivotal contributions to South Africa’s international research standing and our global research footprint.”
Reference:
Ansorge, I.J. & 29 co-authors 2017. Exploring South Africa’s southern frontier: a 20-year vision for polar research through the South African National Antarctic Programme. South African Journal of Science 113 (5/6): 11-17.
John Cooper, Principal Investigator, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, 30 May 2017