The NRF-SAEON and SAPRI team arrives on Marion Island

by Rabia Mathakutha | Aug 24, 2026 | Announcements, Antarctica, Environment, Long-term observations, LTO-Land, Marion Island, NRF-SAEON, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, SAPRI, Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic

The Marion Island Annual Relief Voyage for the 2026/27 season resumed in early August 2026, following a three-month interruption after the emergency evacuation of the previous overwintering team in May. This marked an important step towards re-establishing South...

SAPRI team departs for Marion Island annual relief voyage

by Rabia Mathakutha | Aug 5, 2026 | Announcements, Antarctica, Engagement, Environment, Long-term observations, LTO-Land, Marion Island, NRF-SAEON, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, SAPRI, Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic

The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) team has commenced its journey to Marion Island as part of the annual relief voyage, marking the beginning of another important field season in support of South Africa’s long-term polar and sub-Antarctic...

SAPRI welcomes its third cohort of Marion Island overwinterers

by Rabia Mathakutha | Jun 26, 2026 | Antarctica, Data, DPS, Engagement, Environment, Long-term observations, LTO-Land, Marion Island, NRF-SAEON, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, SAPRI, Society, Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic

The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) has been responsible for the long-term monitoring of top predators on sub-Antarctic Marion Island since 2024, taking over from the Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP) and the FitzPatrick Seabird...

The killer whales of Marion Island

by Anne Treasure | Mar 18, 2026 | Environment, Long-term observations, LTO-Land, Marion Island, NRF-SAEON, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, SAPRI, Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic

Local and global importance of monitoring killer whales The monitoring of killer whales (Orcinus orca) at Marion Island is of great importance both locally and globally. The work done by the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) on Marion Island...

Gordy the southern elephant seal spotted on Marion Island

by Anne Treasure | Mar 13, 2026 | Environment, Long-term observations, LTO-Land, Marion Island, NRF-SAEON, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP, SAPRI, Southern Ocean, Sub-Antarctic

Gordy the southern elephant seal went viral in May 2025 after wandering more than 1 km inland into the residential area of Gordon’s Bay, which is where his name comes from. You might be wondering, where is Gordy now? Roughly halfway between South Africa and Antarctica...