Title Benthic invertebrate fauna, associated habitats and potential factors influencing their distribution and abundance in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion, Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019
Authors

Tanya Haupt
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Laurenne Snyders
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Toufiek Samaai
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Liesl Janson
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Denham Parker
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Lauren Williams
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa

Publisher Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2024)
Contributors

Project Leader: Tanya Haupt
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: THaupt-Schuter@environment.gov.za

Contact Person: Tanya Haupt
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: THaupt-Schuter@environment.gov.za

Data Curator: Tanya Haupt
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: THaupt-Schuter@environment.gov.za

Supervisor: Toufiek Samaai
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: Tsamaai@environment.gov.za

Data Collector: Laurenne Snyders
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: LSnyders@environment.gov.za

Project Member: Laurenne Snyders
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: LSnyders@environment.gov.za

Data Collector: Liesl Janson
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: Ljanson@environment.gov.za

Project Member: Liesl Janson
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: Ljanson@environment.gov.za

Researcher: Denham Parker
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: denhamparker@gmail.com

Researcher: Lauren Williams
Oceans and Coastal Research, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa, email: LWilliams@dffe.gov.za

Abstract This Southern Benguela Cruise was conducted in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion on the Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019. This study focuses on providing a better understanding of the benthic invertebrate communities and associated habitats of three priority areas within the southernmost portion of the Southern Benguela Ecoregion. This includes Robben Island, the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) and the newly proposed Seas of Good Hope Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). The aims are: 1) To contribute to the first baseline assessment for continuous long-term monitoring. 2) To determine the species diversity of benthic invertebrate communities, and how geological (i.e habitat type) and physical factors (i.e. location, depth) may be responsible for driving their distribution and abundance. 3) To verify habitat types: Verification of the habitats associated with physical features (e.g. geological substrate) by means of in situ sampling of the seabed (using a dredge or grab) and underwater visual assessments (using benthic cameras). 4) To provide legitimate conservation rationale for the establishment of the Seas of Good Hope EBSA and possible expansion of the TMNP MPA.
Data
Embargoed
Temporal extent 29 Aug 2019 – 07 Sep 2019
Geographic extent
Keywords Algoa, Algoa 263, benthic invertebrates, cruise report, EBSAs, Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas, long-term monitoring, Marine Protected Areas, MPAs, remote underwater imagery, sailing order, SDG 14.2.1 Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas, Southern Benguela Ecoregion