Background

The inaugural International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic (IFSA) was held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from 5-7 July 2006. The papers are available from the Royal Society of Tasmania.  See flyer for details. 

Sir Guy Green, former Governor of Tasmania and Antarctic Ambassador had a vision for many years of hosting the Forum and in 2005, with the assistance of Antarctic Tasmania, convened a planning committee to organise the IFSA.  It is believed that the 2006 IFSA was the first forum of its kind in the world to comprehensively develop the perception of the Sub-Antarctic as a distinct region. 

The Forum was founded upon the conviction that the Sub-Antarctic islands and surrounding seas should not be viewed as a subdivision of Antarctica but as a distcint circumpolar domain which has its own unique character, scientific significance and management issues.  We believe that this may well have been the first forum to comprehensively develop this perception of this special part of the world. 

The Forum was regarded as a most successful initiative by the participants who unanimously resolved that a second Forum should be held. 

Accordingly, on 26 and 27 April 2009 the 2^nd International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic will be held in Hobart, Tasmania. 

This site is administered by Antarctic Tasmania and queries regarding the site can be emailed to antarctic@development.tas.gov.au.