SA to play role in Antarctic expedition to study ice shelf and marine life
SA will play a crucial role in an unprecedented expedition to one of the remotest places on Earth.The Weddell Sea Expedition is heading to the Weddell Sea region of Antarctica in January and February 2019. It will study the ice shelf and marine life of the Larsen C ice shelf. The team of 30 will also look for the ship Endurance that sank in November 1915. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship sank after ice trapped and crushed it.The Royal Geographical Society will announce the expedition in London on Tuesday. Dutch charity the Flotilla Foundation‚ which funds marine research‚ is financing the expedition. Researchers from the University of Cape Town‚ Nelson Mandela University and the South African Environmental Observation Network will join the researchers and crew from Britain and New Zealand.The expedition’s organisers said in a media statement that there had been little commercial fishing in the area‚ which is home to 14‚000 species‚ due to the thick sea ice."This unique area is home to m...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.