Toothfish Day
Annual public holiday on 4 September
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Toothfish Day is a public holiday celebrated in the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It is annually on 4 September,[1] but if that falls on a weekend it may be observed on a weekday.[2] It is one of eleven public holidays in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,[2] appointed by the Governor in Council.[3][4]
| Toothfish Day | |
|---|---|
a Happy Toothfish Day greeting illustrated by artist Ole Comoll | |
| Observed by | South Georgians & South Sandwich Islanders |
| Significance | holiday marking the end of toothfish fishing season |
| Date | 4 September |
| Next time | 4 September 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
The holiday marks the end of the toothfish (Dissostichus, also called Chilean sea bass) fishing season.[1][5][6][7] Locals (who at this time of year number around 16[5][7]) celebrate with a toast.[1] Some bake gingerbread toothfish cookies.[8] The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) celebrates with a Toothfish Day Reception at Government House in Stanley.[9][6][10] The reception includes a quiz,[6] a toast, spin the bottle, and a menu featuring many dishes made with toothfish.[5][10][11] GSGSSI also holds meetings and a reception in London to mark the occasion.[6]
The holiday was created to show the importance of the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery and to spotlight the sustainable fishing practices of the industry in the territory.[6][5][7] The holiday dates back to at least 2012, when it was called "Toothfish (end of season) Day" and took place on 14 September.[12] The holiday replaced a previously undesignated bank holiday.[4] It remained under that name and stayed in mid-September[13] until 2015 when it was instituted as simply Toothfish Day and moved to 4 September.[4][14]
Past dates
| Year | Date | Date Observed | Name | Reception Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 14 September | 14 September | Toothfish (end of season) Day[12] | |
| 2013 | 13 September | 13 September | Toothfish (end of season) Day[13] | |
| 2014 | 15 September | 15 September | Toothfish (end of season) Day[13] | |
| 2015 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[14] | |
| 2016 | 5 September | 5 September | Toothfish Day[15] | 6 September[6] |
| 2017 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[16] | |
| 2018 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[17] | |
| 2019 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[18] | 4 September[7] |
| 2020 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[19] | 7 September[10] |
| 2021 | 4 September | 6 September | Toothfish Day[2] | 29 September[9][20] |
| 2022 | 5 September | 5 September | Toothfish Day[21] | |
| 2023 | 4 September | 4 September | Toothfish Day[22] |