The Department of Environmental Affairs’ SA Agulhas II will embark on her annual voyage to Gough Island on Thursday, 4 September 2014 from the East Pier Quay, Cape Town. The voyage will be under the watchful eye of the SA Agulhas II Master, Captain Knowledge Bengu.
The Gough 60 over-wintering team will spend about 14 months in isolation on Gough Island and will be joined by a dedicated Conservation Officer appointed by the United Kingdom, through the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to work on eradicating the Sagina on the island. Sagina is an alien plant which was first observed at Gough Island, in the immediate vicinity of the South African meteorological station, in September 1998.
The long term goal of the project is to eradicate Sagina at Gough Island by way of a dedicated two-person team with the necessary skills and experience. The team will be stationed at the island for extended periods of time. The Gough 60 over-wintering team will be joined by members from the Department of Public Works, Starlite Aviation, and officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Members of the media are invited to cover the farewell ceremony and will have an opportunity to do interviews and take photographs.
Details of the farewell ceremony are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 4 September 2014
Time: 12h00
Venue: East Pier Quay, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
To RSVP, contact:
Tshego Letshwiti
Tel: 021 405 9439
Cell: 076 307 9634
E-mail: tletshwiti@environment.gov.za
For media enquiries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
