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Since James Cook first landed on South Georgia in 1775, the island’s
history has been closely related to the edible plants and animals found
there. Attitudes towards food and appropriate use of natural resources
have changed significantly over the subsequent 250 years, but the rich
associations and stories behind food remain an important part of the
islands cultural heritage.

When shore based whaling ceased in 1966, decaying infrastructure was
left behind. Whalers took with them their farmed animals, leaving rats,
mice, reindeer and weeds to spread unchecked across South Georgia. In
the last decade, habitat restoration programs authorised by the
Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) have
successfully removed invasive mammals from the island and work is
ongoing to eradicate many of the non-native plant species.

First Day Cover Sustainable food - Toothfish

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands still play an important part
in providing food resources. The Government has three sustainably
managed world-class fisheries, all certified by the Marine Stewardship
Council, the largest being toothfish which has an average
recertification score of over 96%. It is recognised as being among the
world’s most sustainable and best managed. Additionally, the entire
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands maritime zone is covered by
conservation measures under the Convention on the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Established in 1982 CCAMLR
protects the oceans around Antarctica from over exploitation and damage
by fisheries. GSGSSI have a proud record of not only adopting the CCAMLR
conservation measures, but extending them. To further enhance the
protection of our maritime zone in 2012 the Government announced the
formation of one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas. Since
then protection has been extended to 1.24 million square kilometres.
Within this zone, fishing is heavily regulated not only to ensure
healthy fish stocks, but also to ensure food availability to the higher
predators such as the seabirds, seals and whales.