Following a successful initial survey in the first season of the Group's operations funding was sought for additional underwater photographic equipment. We are grateful to the Antarctic Research Trust for stepping in and making a generous contribution which allowed us to purchase a new Nikon digital SLR, lenses and strobes complete with a high quality underwater housing.

Equipment purchased included a Nikon D80 body, 10-17mm Tokina f/3.5-4.5 wide-angle lens, 60mm f/2.8 Nikkor macro lens and two SB800 Nikon strobes. Fantasea housings equipped with both macro and 'fish-eye' ports allow us to take photographs to 60m.

The new equipment was used for the first time during the recent dive survey around Beaver, Weddell and New Island and resulted in a great improvement in the quality of our images. Some of the results will be made available for viewing elsewhere on this site.