Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) recently reported that South Africa’s Antarctic research and supply ship, the S.A. Agulhas II, returned from Marion Island on 12 May 2021, and that the MFM Project Manager, Dr Anton Wolfaardt, was aboard after spending a month ashore as part of the island’s annual takeover. Anton actually remained on board the ship for the period that it was tied up in Cape Town, so as to remain in quarantine between the trip to Marion and the following voyage to Gough Island.

The weather station at Gough Island, photo Anton Wolfaardt

The S.A. Agulhas II left Cape Town on 29 May 2021 on a charter voyage to Gough Island. The purpose of the voyage is to deploy the Gough Island Restoration Programme (GIRP) operational team, together with all their equipment and supplies, so that the RSPB can commence with the critically important task of eradicating introduced House Mice from the island. After years of meticulous planning, and the interruption caused by COVID-19, the deployment of the GIRP team, and the commencement of the operational phase of this important project, is excellent news.

There are many similarities between the GIRP and the MFM Project. These similarities include ecological, topographical and logistical aspects of the operations. Both operations will be targeting mice as the only introduced mammalian predator on the islands, and both will make use of the S.A. Agulhas II to support the projects. There is therefore great scope for skills and knowledge transfer between the two projects. A valuable partnership has been established between the two initiatives and their proponents, which has already delivered reciprocal benefits, and will continue to do so.

Anton reports that: “the MFM Project has benefited hugely from advice, support and guidance provided by those involved with the GIRP.  My participation in the current charter voyage provides an incredible opportunity to gain practical insights into some of the key operational aspects of the Gough Island mouse eradication operation and to engage with and learn from the whole GIRP team.”

The Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross, Gough Island, photo Anton Wolfaardt

It seems appropriate that the departure of the S.A. Agulhas II for Gough Island follows soon after Endangered Species Day and World Biodiversity Day, celebrated on 21 May and 22 May, respectively. Gough Island is world-renowned for its globally important seabird populations. Unfortunately, many of these populations are highly threatened, including the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross, which faces a real risk of extinction if the albatross-eating mice are not entirely removed from the island. The successful eradication of mice from Gough Island will help secure a positive conservation future for the Tristan Albatross, and several other of the island’s seabirds that are affected by the introduced mice. It will also help shift the ecological balance of this World Heritage Site towards a more pristine state.

Dr Anton Wolfaardt, Mouse-Free Marion Project Manager, 01 June 2021