SAPRI - The South African Polar Research Infrastructure

Happy World Albatross Day!

Today we celebrate World Albatross Day under the theme "Habitat Restoration". This theme highlights the urgent need to restore and protect natural ecosystems by addressing introduced pests and predators that threaten wildlife.

We would like to give a special shout-out to Mouse-Free Marion for their unwavering commitment to protecting the unique seabirds of Marion Island.

Introduced house mice are causing devastating impacts on the island's birdlife, posing a serious threat to its albatross populations. Through dedicated conservation action, Mouse-Free Marion is helping to restore the island's ecosystem and secure a safer future for these remarkable seabirds.

Every effort to restore habitats brings us one step closer to a healthier planet for wildlife and people alike.

Dataset alert!

A big thank you to Prof Sebastian Skatulla for submitting this valuable dataset to the SAPRI Data Centre. Every data submission helps strengthen South Africa's marine and polar research legacy and supports open, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data.

By sharing research data through the SAPRI Data Centre, we help ensure that important observations and discoveries remain accessible for future research and collaboration.

Explore the dataset here: https://catalogue.saeon.ac.za/list/records/10.15493/SAPRI.07052026?search=673f33e51a7e081cad848fd3&referrer=&showSearchBar=false&disableSidebar=false

Interested in sharing your own marine or polar research data? The SAPRI Data Centre welcomes submissions from the research community. See here for info https://www.sapri.ac.za/data-products-society/data/

pc: Tristan Firman

SANAP community celebrating Youth Day 16 June 2026

Step aboard without leaving your seat 🌊🚢!

We are excited to announce the go-live of the SA Agulhas II 360 Virtual Tour, an immersive digital experience that brings South Africa’s premier polar research vessel into your hands. Step aboard and explore the ship like never before, from its advanced laboratories to its ice-strengthened hull, and discover how science is conducted in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.

The SA Agulhas II 360 tour opens a new window into polar research, education, and public engagement, enabling users to experience and better understand the vessel that supports South Africa’s marine and polar science programmes. This resource was developed with the permission of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).



Explore the SA Agulhas II👉: https://www.sapri.ac.za/explore-the-s-a-agulhas-ii/

World Oceans Day 2026
The Southern Ocean is one of Earth's greatest climate regulators. It absorbs heat and carbon, supports unique ecosystems, and influences weather and climate around the world.
Through SANAP projects investigating carbon cycling, ocean chemistry, phytoplankton ecology and marine ecosystems, SANAP reserachers are helping to unlock the secrets of the Southern Ocean and improve our understanding of its role in sustaining life on Earth.
This World Oceans Day, we celebrate the science that helps protect our oceans for future generations.
https://www.sanap.ac.za/oceanday2026

Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SADepartment of Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentNational Research Foundation

World Environment Day 2026
Today we celebrate World Environment Day under the theme Climate Action.
Through research in Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic, SANAP scientists are helping to understand climate change, sea ice dynamics, carbon cycling, and ecosystem responses to environmental change. This research contributes to global efforts to better predict and respond to our changing climate.
Join us throughout Environment Month as we showcase how South African polar science is helping to build a more sustainable future.
https://www.sanap.ac.za/?p=48095&preview=true

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentDepartment of Science,Technology and Innovation SANational Research FoundationScientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)

Environment Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting our natural environment and to recognise the role that science plays in understanding and addressing environmental challenges. SANAP contributes to environmental research through scientific investigations in Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, Marion Island and Gough Island. These regions act as early warning systems for global environmental change, helping scientists understand climate change, biodiversity conservation, ocean health, ecosystem resilience and the impacts of human activities on the environment. From studying climate impacts on seabirds and ecosystem dynamics on Marion Island to investigating carbon cycling, sea ice processes and Southern Ocean health, SANAP research contributes to a deeper understanding of the Earth's interconnected environmental systems.
Join us throughout June as we highlight the environmental research being undertaken by South African scientists in some of the world's most remote and important regions.
https://www.sanap.ac.za/enviro2026

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the EnvironmentDepartment of Science,Technology and Innovation SANational Research FoundationSouth African National Space Agency (SANSA)South African Weather ServiceSAPRI - The South African Polar Research Infrastructure

New dataset alert!

A big thank you to Jethan D’Hotman for submitting a valuable dataset from Ocean Glider Imvubu (1206) Deployment 3 to the SAPRI Data Centre .

The deployment collected important environmental data between the 80m and 150m isobaths from Algoa Bay to Mossel Bay during March 2026, supporting ocean observation and marine research along South Africa’s coastline.

SAPRI’s ocean gliders are autonomous underwater vehicles that collect important data such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll over long periods and across large ocean areas.

Every dataset submission contributes to advancing open, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data and strengthens South Africa’s marine and polar research legacy. We encourage members of the marine and polar research community to share their datasets through the SAPRI Data Centre to maximise the long-term value and impact of their research.

See here for info https://www.sapri.ac.za/data-products-society/data/
Explore the dataset here: https://catalogue.saeon.ac.za/list/records/10.15493/SAPRI.15052026?search=673f33e51a7e081cad848fd3&referrer=&showSearchBar=false&disableSidebar=false

Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA Antarctic Legacy of South Africa

Welcome home, Marion Island Team 82!

After spending more than a year on the remote Marion Island for the 2025/26 season, the Marion 82 expedition team has safely returned to Cape Town.

Thank you to the team for your resilience, dedication, and commitment to advancing science in one of the world’s most isolated environments. Your work at the edge of the world continues to inspire us all.

Happy Africa Day!

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is proud to join hands with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and our valued sector partners to celebrate the AU Year of Water.

Today, we celebrate under the theme "Celebrating impact: The Impact of Investments - Letting Beneficiaries Tell the Story" at the University of Johannesburg's Bunting Road Campus. It is all about spotlighting our transformative water sector partnerships, sustainable investments, and grassroots innovations that are changing lives across communities. From pioneering research to practical W.A.S.H. solutions, we are showcasing what is truly possible when our continent innovates in unison.

Let us continue to collaborate, leverage scientific excellence, and build a climate-resilient, water-secure future rooted in the African Water Vision.

Follow Today's Event:

📅 Date: 25 May 2026
⏰ Time: 08:30 to 16:00
📍 Venue: The Kerzner, UJ Bunting Road Campus