AGP Executive Report

Offshore Oil Dispute: Argentina has asked the UN law-of-the-sea tribunal to halt the Sea Lion project and block new oil permits, citing marine protection as well as its continental-shelf claims. The UK says the Falklands-issued licences remain valid; China has again backed Argentina’s sovereignty claim at the UN. Southern Ocean Wildlife: A British Antarctic Survey study found chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% from 2011 to 2025. Researchers point to warming waters shifting krill, the birds’ main food, beyond their reach. Fisheries Research: An international project involving Falklands researchers plans a shared database for Argentine squid to inform population assessments, though Argentina is not participating.

Sea Lion Oil Project: Ed Miliband has approved development of the Falklands’ Sea Lion field, with production expected from 2028. Argentina has asked an international tribunal to halt the project and block new permits, also raising concerns about protecting the marine environment. Penguin Decline: A British Antarctic Survey study found Zavodovski Island lost more than 500,000 chinstrap penguins between 2011 and 2025. Researchers link the fall to warming-driven shifts in krill, the birds’ main food source. Squid Research: Researchers, including Falklands representatives, are planning an international database for Argentine squid to support population assessments. Argentina’s absence has raised questions about who will set scientific standards and inform catch limits. Marine Wildlife: A photograph taken between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands revealed a fishing hook embedded in an albatross’s face, highlighting the risks marine debris and fishing gear pose even in remote waters.

Sea Lion Oil: Ed Miliband has approved development of the Falklands’ Sea Lion field, with production expected from 2028. Argentina has asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to halt the project and block new permits, citing marine protection as well as its claims to the continental shelf. Southern Ocean Wildlife: British Antarctic Survey researchers report that Zavodovski Island has lost more than 500,000 chinstrap penguins since 2011. They link the decline to warming-driven changes pushing krill away from the birds’ feeding grounds. Marine Impacts: A South Atlantic albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook lodged in its face, highlighting the reach of fishing gear into remote waters. Squid Research: A new international database on Illex argentinus squid is planned, with Falklands representatives involved and Argentina absent. The project could inform future stock assessments and catch levels.

Sea Lion Dispute: Argentina has asked the Law of the Sea tribunal to halt the Sea Lion oil project and block new permits, also invoking marine protection and pollution obligations. The request is part of a wider sovereignty dispute; the tribunal has yet to decide whether to grant provisional measures. Penguin Decline: British Antarctic Survey research found chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands fell 63% from 2011 to 2025. Researchers link the decline to warming waters shifting krill beyond the birds’ reach. South Atlantic Wildlife: A photograph of an albatross between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands revealed a fishing hook lodged in its face, a reminder that human impacts reach even remote waters.

Sea Lion Dispute: Argentina has asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to temporarily halt the Sea Lion oil project and block new permits, citing its continental-shelf claims and potential harm to the marine environment. The UK says the project is lawful; production is expected from 2028. Penguin Decline: A British Antarctic Survey study found occupied chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands fell 63% from 2011 to 2025. Researchers link the decline to warming waters shifting krill, the birds’ main food, beyond their reach. Fisheries Research: An international database for Argentine squid is being planned with Falklands participation, but Argentina is absent. Researchers aim to compare population assessments in 2027, while questions remain over how data could shape future catch limits.

Offshore Oil: Argentina has asked the Law of the Sea tribunal to order a halt to UK-authorised oil and gas activity in the North Falkland Basin, citing risks to the marine environment as well as its claims over the continental shelf. The request is part of a wider dispute over the Sea Lion project; no halt has been ordered. Penguin Decline: A British Antarctic Survey study found occupied chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% from 2011 to 2025, a loss of more than half a million birds. Researchers link the decline to climate-driven changes in the Southern Ocean that are shifting krill, a key food source. The South Sandwich Islands host about 30% of the world’s chinstrap penguins. Fisheries Research: Researchers from several countries, including the Falklands, are developing a shared database on Argentine shortfin squid. The project aims to compare population assessments and inform catch decisions, though Argentina is not participating.

Penguin Decline: British Antarctic Survey research found occupied chinstrap nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% from 2011 to 2025, a loss of more than half a million birds. Researchers link the decline to climate-driven shifts in krill, their main food; the South Sandwich Islands hold about 30% of the world’s chinstraps. South Atlantic Wildlife: A migrating albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook lodged in its face, a stark sign of human impacts far from populated shores. Penguin Science: Researchers have described a new gentoo penguin species on the Kerguelen Islands, genetically distinct from Falklands gentoos, but warn climate change could threaten its future.

Penguin Decline: British Antarctic Survey researchers found occupied chinstrap nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% from 2011 to 2025, a loss of more than half a million birds. They link the steepest recorded decline to warming waters shifting krill beyond the penguins’ reach. Offshore Oil Dispute: Argentina says it will seek arbitration under the Law of the Sea to stop the Sea Lion oil project in the North Malvinas Basin. A legal analysis flags jurisdictional hurdles to its expected case and request for urgent measures. Wildlife and Fishing: A photograph taken between the Falkland and South Sandwich Islands revealed a fishing hook embedded in an albatross’s face, highlighting the reach of fishing gear into remote waters.

Offshore Oil: Argentina says it will launch UNCLOS arbitration to stop the Sea Lion project in the North Malvinas Basin, arguing that UK-backed hydrocarbon extraction threatens its continental-shelf rights. A legal analysis flags possible jurisdiction hurdles. Penguin Decline: Chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands fell 63% from 2011 to 2025 — a loss of more than half a million birds. Researchers link the decline to warming waters shifting krill beyond the penguins’ reach. Fishing Gear: An albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a hook lodged in its face, a stark sign of fishing-related harm even in remote waters.

Argentina’s Land Law: The Supreme Court has temporarily restored limits on foreign ownership of rural land while it considers a challenge brought by an environmental group, Indigenous communities and a former legislator. South Atlantic Penguins: Chinstrap nests on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands fell 63% from 2011 to 2025. Researchers link the loss to warming waters shifting krill beyond the penguins’ reach. Albatross at Risk: A photograph taken between the Falkland and South Sandwich Islands showed a migrating albatross with a fishing hook lodged in its face, a reminder that human impacts reach remote waters. Separately, research warns black-browed albatross numbers have fallen sharply, with climate change adding pressure.

Regional Penguin Decline: A survey found occupied chinstrap nests on Zavodovski Island in the nearby South Sandwich Islands fell 63% from 2011 to 2025, with more than 500,000 penguins lost. Researchers link the decline to warming waters shifting krill away from the birds. Wildlife and Marine Pollution: An albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook lodged in its face, a stark reminder that discarded gear reaches remote waters. Oil and Environmental Oversight: The UK says any new Falklands hydrocarbon licence needs approval from the Foreign Secretary. The Islands’ government manages the regulatory and environmental framework, but final sign-off rests in London.

Southern Ocean Wildlife: Chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% from 2011 to 2025, a loss of more than half a million birds. Researchers link the collapse to warming waters shifting krill beyond the penguins’ reach. Falklands Oil Oversight: New hydrocarbon licences require approval from the UK Foreign Secretary, while the Falkland Islands Government manages the regulatory and environmental framework. The decision puts environmental assessments in focus as exploration continues. Marine Impacts: An albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook embedded in its face, highlighting the reach of fishing-related harm even in remote waters.

Land and Nature: Argentina’s Supreme Court has provisionally suspended Milei’s repeal of limits on foreign ownership of rural land. The legal challenge, brought by an environmental group and Indigenous communities, argues the repeal threatens environmental protections and Indigenous rights. Penguin Decline: A British Antarctic Survey study found chinstrap nests on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands fell 63% between 2011 and 2025. Researchers link the loss to warming waters shifting krill south and beyond the penguins’ reach. Marine Impacts: An albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook lodged in its face, a stark reminder that fishing debris reaches remote South Atlantic waters. Stanley Harbour: Dredging has begun to deepen the Energy Dock approach channel and berthing area, with work expected to last about three months. Two barges will carry spoil to a site six nautical miles east of Mengeary Point. Oil Licensing: The UK has confirmed that new Falklands hydrocarbon licences require approval from the Foreign Secretary, while the Islands retain responsibility for their regulatory and environmental framework.

Argentina Land Ruling: Argentina’s Supreme Court temporarily restored a 15% cap on foreign ownership of rural land, citing environmental protection while a legal challenge proceeds. South Atlantic Wildlife: A photographer found a fishing hook embedded in an albatross photographed between the Falkland and South Sandwich islands, a stark reminder of human impacts far from shore. Penguin Decline: British Antarctic Survey researchers report chinstrap penguin nests on South Sandwich Islands’ Zavodovski Island fell 63% between 2011 and 2025, a loss linked to human-driven climate change. Falklands Energy: The UK says its approval will be required for any new Falklands hydrocarbon licence, despite the Islands’ role in setting regulatory and environmental rules. Stanley Harbour: Three months of dredging has begun at the Energy Dock, with dredged material being taken to a spoil ground about six nautical miles east of Mengeary Point.

Wildlife & Pollution: A migrating albatross photographed between the Falklands and South Sandwich Islands had a fishing hook lodged in its face, a stark reminder that discarded gear reaches even remote waters. Climate Pressure: On Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich group, chinstrap penguin nests fell 63% between 2011 and 2025, with more than half a million birds lost since 2011; researchers link the decline to human-driven climate change. Albatross Decline: A study reports black-browed albatross numbers fell 67% in 64 years and warns climate change could outpace the species’ ability to adapt. Fisheries Research: Falkland Islands scientists joined an international workshop to build a regional database and assess the abundance and exploitation of Illex squid, a major South Atlantic fishery.

Penguin Decline: A British Antarctic Survey study found occupied chinstrap penguin nests on Zavodovski Island fell 63% between 2011 and 2025, a loss linked to human-driven climate change. Albatross Warning: Black-browed albatross numbers have dropped 67% in 64 years, with climate change adding to the threat; researchers say cutting greenhouse-gas emissions could reduce extinction risk. New Penguin Species: Scientists have described Kerguelen’s gentoo penguins as a distinct species from those in the Falklands, but warn climate change could make survival harder. Falklands Fisheries: Island scientists joined an international workshop on shortfin squid, aiming to improve regional data on the South Atlantic fishery. Energy Dock Works: Dredging at Stanley Harbour’s Energy Dock is set to run for about three months. Oil Licensing: The UK government says new Falklands hydrocarbon licences require approval from the Foreign Secretary, while Argentina’s opposition to offshore oil development continues to raise tensions.