Present Situation
Currently nine BAS personnel overwinter at the station, rising to around 18 in summer. Two Government Officers plus partners are stationed on KEP, overlapping by about three months during the busy winter fishing season. Summer staff from the Museum at Grytviken are also accommodated at KEP.
The continued occupation of the station serves a political purpose as well, in that it helps to maintain British sovereignty against Argentina's claim for ownership of the territory.
The chief activities of the station are applied fisheries research on behalf of the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, to assist its policies for sustainable management of the commercial fishery, and to provide logistic support for the Government Officer(s).
Read more about this topic: King Edward Point
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