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Port Lockroy is on Goudier
Island (64�49�S, 63�29�W) in the Antarctic Peninsula. Following a conservation
survey in 1994, British 'Base A' - Port Lockroy was recognised
for its historical importance and designated as Historic Site
and Monument No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty. The base was
renovated in 1996 by a team from the British Antarctic Survey
(BAS) and since then opened to visitors during the Antarctic
summer. The Trust
operates the site as a �living museum�.
This is made possible only by the proceeds of the small gift
shop. Any surplus from the shop proceeds goes towards renovation of other historic
sites in Antarctica.
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Port Lockroy is
not only an important natural and historic environment,
but also a destination for many from around the world
who want to come and learn more about the Antarctic. One
role of UKAHT in this is both as monitor and regulator.
We consistently monitor through a long-term
environmental study, now running for more than a decade,
the impact of visitors to the site; and, in conjunction
with that study, we regulate the number of visitors and
ships visiting the area, as well as, in accordance with
the Antarctic Treaty, imposing strict site guidelines to
ensure the environment is properly cared for.
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The Trust also runs the post-office at Port Lockroy on behalf of the Government of the British Antarctic
Territory which donates a proportion of the Post Office revenue
to the Trust. Around 70,000 cards are posted each year for over
100 countries. Mail usually takes 2-6 weeks to arrive. There is
no express service available!
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In January 2007, the Trust's Patron, HRH The
Princess Royal visited Port Lockroy as part of an official
visit to the Antarctic arranged by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth
Office Polar Regions Unit. The Princess
travelled on the Royal Navy's ice patrol vessel
HMS
Endurance which was assisting the Trust and the
British
Antarctic Survey in making a conservation survey a number of historic British
sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. The Royal visit took
place on the eve of International Polar Year (2007-08) - 50
years on from International Geophysical Year (1957-58) when, her
father, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Antarctic Peninsula.
The Princess was accompanied
by the Trust's Chairman Philippa Foster Back who was making her
first visit to the Peninsula. Philippa has visited the
Ross Sea Huts, where her grandfather Frank Debenham was a member
of Captain Scott's last expedition. Debenham went on to
found the Scott Polar Research Institute. |
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Visitors to Port Lockroy are
expected to adhere to the
new Site Guidelines.
The gentoo penguin population on Goudier Island has been
monitored since the base was re-opened in 1996. Analysis
of gentoo populations elsewhere in the Scotia Sea show
that regional environmental factors are the major
influence driving gentoo penguin population dynamics.
The data, now spanning more than a decade, will help
improve our knowledge of such factors and will also
contribute towards improving understanding of other
human pressures on Antarctic penguin populations.
We are grateful for the close
continuing co-operation with the International Association of
Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO),
the British Antarctic
Survey and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office . |
Below is the new sign at Port
Lockroy which was unveiled by the Trust's Patron, HRH The
Princess Royal
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