GSGSSI - In late February 2012 the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) established a large sustainable Marine Protected Area covering over 1 million km2 of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) Maritime Zone by signing relevant legislation..   As part of a long term management and conservation strategy for the Territory, it enacted legislation that establishes in law one of the largest areas of sustainably managed ocean in the world.    It was stated that “The waters around South Georgia and he South Sandwich Islands are among the most productive in the Southern Ocean, with very high biodiversity”. The zone also will have provision for protection.     South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands is distinct from the Falklands being a UK Overseas Territory. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are remarkable places, supporting an amazing density of wildlife.
 

The Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands has the services of PHAROS SG for duty as a fishery patrol and logistic support vessel, the vessel was previously a Lighthouse Tender for the Northern Lighthouse Board (Scotland).    The PHAROS SG was built in 1993 at Port Glasgow and is a 79.58m (length), unarmed, but has a 20 tonne crane, a 200 square metre Buoy Working Deck, and a Helicopter Deck.