Toothfish Day in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Date in the current year: September 4, 2024

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a remote British overseas territory located in the Atlantic Ocean about 810 miles east from the Falkland Islands. It consists of the island of South Georgia, named after King George III, and a chain of smaller islands that lie about 430 miles southeast of it.

Named in honor of Lord Sandwich, the first Lord of the Admiralty, the South Sandwich islands are inhospitable and uninhabited. South Georgia has no permanent population; typically, there are 15 to 40 people living on the island at any given time. They include researchers working at a British Antarctic survey station, museum employees, a deputy postmaster running the post office during the summer season, and a government officer responsible for managing fishing, tourism, and transportation.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands were originally administered as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. The British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands was formed in 1985. However, it is still administered by the Governor of the Falkland Islands, who also serves as the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Despite having no permanent population, the territory has its own public holidays. One of the public holidays celebrated in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is Toothfish Day. It was created to highlight the importance of fishing for the territory’s economy, as well as to promote sustainable fishing, the fight against illegal fishing, and nature conservation.

The Patagonian toothfish fishery is an importance source of revenue for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Every year, the territory sells fishing licenses for Patagonian toothfish, which bring in millions of pounds. Most of this money is spent on the protection of the South Georgia Fishery and research.

Toothfish Day was established to mark the end of the Pathagonian toothfish fishing season. It has been celebrated since at least the early 2010s. Toothfish Day was originally observed in mid-September, but in 2015 September 4 was officially designated as the date of the public holiday. However, if it falls during a weekend, Toothfish Day may be observed on the nearest weekday.

Locals, whose number is around 16 at this time of the year, celebrate Toothfish Day with a toast and some toothfish-shaped gingerbread cookies. A reception in honor of Toothfish Day is held by the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at Government House in Stanley, Falkland Islands. It includes a toast, a quiz, and a banquet with dishes made with Patagonian toothfish. Various meetings and a reception to mark Toothfish Day are also held by the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands in London.