Title | Processed drop camera data to investigate benthic invertebrate fauna and associated habitats of the Southern Benguela Ecoregion on Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019 |
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Authors |
Tanya Haupt |
Publisher | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2024) |
Contributors |
Project Leader: Tanya Haupt Contact Person: Tanya Haupt Data Curator: Tanya Haupt Data Collector: Juan-Jacques Forgus Project Member: Juan-Jacques Forgus Project Member: Brandon Beukes |
Abstract | This is processed drop camera data from the Southern Benguela Cruise, which 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 | |
Temporal extent | 29 Aug 2019 – 07 Sep 2019 |
Geographic extent | |
Keywords | Algoa, Algoa 263, benthic invertebrates, drop camera, remote underwater imagery, SDG 14.2.1 Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas |