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Albatros – Patrouilleur Austral
The French Maritime Forces deploy this patrol boat to safeguard the economic zones of the T.A.A.F. (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises), particularly watchful of illegal fishing enterprises. Based out of the island of Réunion, this is the 12th such vessel to be placed into patrol service since 1780. One of the ship's best-loved sailors was a Shepherd dog named Boris, who was fully commissioned and promoted to the rank of Quartermaster during his decade-long service to France. (site in French only)
Arctic & Subantarctic Magnetic Observatories
A collection of photos showing the assorted scientific equipment used in the TAAF to measure electromagnetic energy (such as the Fluxgate declinometer-inclinometer, variometers, recording devices, etc.); plus external views of observatories on Amsterdam, Crozet, Kerguelen, and Terre Adélie. (caution: extremely large image files, slow download; broadband connection recommended)
Climate Studies & Trends
Jean-Luc Bourrian provides a look at global warming trends as measured by the weather station on Amsterdam Island over a 40-year period, complete with color graphs. (in French only)
CIA World Factbook: French Southern and Antarctic Territories
Helpful statistics on the region's background, geography, people, government, economy, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
45th Mission to Île Amsterdam
Cyril Szakolczai offers his account of living on Amsterdam Island, overviews of the scientific programs conducted there, plus a wonderful collection of photos. (in French only)
Geoscope
Geoscope is a data collection system which transmits seismic measurements from remote locations around the world. The sensors at Amsterdam Island are located in a lava tunnel. This page shows various pictures and details the equipment's technical specifications. You may also wish to consult these links (in French) to other sites on geophysical studies.
Open Directory Project: French Southern Territories
The non-profit, human-compiled database provides useful links about the French Southern Territories, in both English and French.
Photo Expo at the Baron Rouge
A collection of black & white photos by photographers Bruno Dubois, Nicolas Edel, and Yvan Mercier – from an exhibition at the Baron Rouge in Paris (November 2-21, 1999). Numerous images of landscapes, fauna and flora at Amsterdam Island.
Récits de Voyages – les Mers Australes
Edouard Fromentel recounts his 5 weeks of adventure aboard the Marion Dufresne through the heart of the southern seas, stopping at Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam and St-Paul. Well-documented with photos. (bi-lingual site – French & English)
Save the Albatross!
According to studies by Greenpeace and other scientific organizations, at least 60,000 seabirds may be hooked and drowned each year by "long line" pirate fishing vessels. Albatrosses are particularly endangered by this industry, which killed an estimated 15% of some species in just one year. (see alternate site here)
The South Atlantic & Subantarctic Islands
Paul Carroll, a U.K. resident who has held a lifelong fascination for the remote islands of the southern seas, assembled this collection of historical data, maps and illustrations of a dozen such locations.
Station Doris
Doris is an antenna relay system which transmits meteorological measurements (humidity, barometric pressure, temperature) from remote locations around the world. This page shows a picture of the installation at Amsterdam Island, and details the equipment's technical specifications.
TAAF Official Site
Although the official site of the Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises offers a brief summary of each scientific base, its greatest feature may be the gallery of TAAF postage stamps, postcards, and télécartes. If you are inclined to seek employment in the TAAF, hiring qualifications and an application can also be found here.
Vocal Signature of Penguins
Pierre Jouventin, Research Director First Class at CNRS (the French National Research Center), contributed this article for Futura Sciences – explaining how penguins can recognize each other by their voices, even in a massive colony of thousands all clamoring at once. (in French only)
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Saint-Paul & Amsterdam Links
