| Title | Transkei Shelf Oceanography Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 241, July 2017 |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Tarron Lamont |
| Publisher | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2021) |
| Contributors |
Contact Person: Tarron Lamont |
| Abstract | The Transkei Shelf Oceanography Cruise was conducted on the Algoa V241, 12 July to 11 August, 2017. The area covered includes the Transkei shelf and continental slope (20m to 1000m), of the Eastern Cape, between Cape St Francis and Port Shepstone in the South-West Indian Ocean.Our knowledge of the distribution of offshore benthic biodiversity on the Transkei shelf is very limited. The region between Algoa Bay and Port Edward is not only important for understanding the functioning of existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) such as Pondoland, Dwesa-Cwebe, and the Amathole, but is of particular relevance to the new Operation Phakisa proposed MPA network that will potentially include additional MPAs such as the Protea Banks, Amathole Expansion, and the proposed Addo MPA. In addition, further knowledge is needed to support decision-making about the offshore extent of the Dwesa-Cwebe MPA. The oceanography in the form of water column and energy characteristics, circulation regimes and biological production all play critical roles in determining biodiversity patterns, as does connectivity along this shelf. Using a similar approach, this project follows the successful African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) II Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Bight project between 2010 and 2013 that investigated the ecosystem processes on the KZN Bight linking geological, biological and physical processes to understand ecosystem functioning.The importance of the current ACEP/Phakisa project is underpinned by the fact that the Transkei shelf is the least studied continental shelf system in southern Africa. This is largely due to the limitation of societal drivers such as offshore fisheries, mining, port and industrial development. Under recognised, is the important role the Transkei ecosystem plays in connecting the semi sheltered KZN Bight on the east coast with the Agulhas Bank. The most well-known example of this is the annual sardine migration from the Agulhas Bank to the KZN Bight which now supports a growing eco-tourism and subsistence fishing industry. The outer shelf and shelf edge in this area support reef building cold water corals, fragile three dimensional features that feed on plankton. More information is needed to understand the ecology and predict distribution of these sensitive ecosystems. This project therefore aims to improve our understanding of ecosystem processes in the Transkei shelf by undertaking a multidisciplinary research to investigate phyto- and zooplankton communities in relation to physical driving forces, and assess the habitats and biodiversity of the benthic communities in the region. This survey was a repeat of the survey conducted in Jan/Feb 2017 and will allow a summer/winter comparison of the hydrographic conditions on the Transkei shelf. |
| Data | |
| Temporal extent | 12 Jul 2017 – 14 Aug 2017 |
| Geographic extent |
North: -28.24 |
| Keywords | ACEP, African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme, Algoa, Algoa 241, cruise report, Marine Protected Areas, Operation Phakisa, sailing orders, SDG 14.2.1 Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas, SDG Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, Transkei Shelf |
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