DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000013
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 057, March 2010

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 057 in March 2010. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000010
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 105, January 2012

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 105 in January 2012. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15832023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Pelagic Fish Spawner Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 126, November 1994

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 11 November and 07 December 1994, during Voyage 126 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) on the west coast of Southern Africa and in the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) on the south coast of Southern Africa. Neil Brown MK3 and MK4 CTD instruments were used to measure pressure, temperature and conductivity through the water column during research and monitoring cruises between 1983 and 2000.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.02122022
Coastal Current Meter Programme on the Africana Voyage 017, March 1984

The objectives of this cruise were to retrieve ten moorings, eight on the shelf and two on the shelf break between Cape Columbine and Port Nolloth; to deploy three moorings in the coastal zone between Cape Columbine and Cape Town; to obtain Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profiles and water samples on a transect bearing 270° from Cape Columbine; to profile currents, make repeated CTD casts and record atmospheric conditions in St Helena Bay as part of a vertical mixing study, participating in this work were two scientists from UCT; to calibrate the CTD temperature probe in-situ using reversing thermometers; to allow the chemical oceanography team to familiarise themselves with the operation of a new box corer and enable them to analyse intact sediment samples from St Helena Bay; to use the thermosalinograph and fluorometer to obtain 'surface truth' measurements for NOAA thermal infra-red imagery; to test a portable CTD unit to 50m and lastly to train two new members of technical staff.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052160
Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 042, April 2020

The 2020 Marion Relief Voyage 042 on SA Agulhas II offered the 8th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, ship-based oceanographic research on board the SA Agulhas II en route to, and around, the sub Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. Due to the world wide Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent measures implemented by the South African government to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus in South Africa, the main research objectives (land-based and ship-based) normally associated with the Marion Relief voyage (as submitted through SANAP3 applications) were cancelled. This cruise was comprised mainly of underway sampling.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052215
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 193, January 2013

The St Helena Bay Monitoring Line, which now falls under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 193, 11 to 15 January 2013. The St Helena Bay Monitoring Line was initiated as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims are to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. Data on harmful algal blooms, low oxygen water and intrusions of Agulhas Bank water along the west coast will also be collected. A long-term, multi-decadel time-series (from 1951 onward) of information already exists for this important region and has continued in the form of the IEP:SB to detect long-term changes in the hydrology and the plankton, which are important for the detection of regime shifts.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.29122022
West Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 033, July 1985

The objectives of this cruise were to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake; to investigate the diurnal cycle of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the environment and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species and to carry out acoustic target identification of mesopelagic species with RMT 8 nets.

(No DOI)
Raw TSG data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

This is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela on the Algoa Voyage 216, 06 to 15 May, 2015. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional platform to undertake relevant science in the Southern Benguela; also functioning as a platform for collaboration and learning. All projects aim to develop an ecosystem indicator that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern Benguela i.e physical, chemical, planktonic, microbial, seabird and benthic ecosystem indicators, used for ecosystem-based management.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052211
Marion Island Relief on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 036, April 2019

The 2019 Marion Relief Voyage offered the 7th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, shipbased marine research focusing on links and interactions between air and sea, ocean physics, chemistry, biogeochemistry and biology, including microbial, planktic and benthic communities on board South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel MV SA Agulhas II en route to, and around, the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward archipelago. The overall aim was to continue contributing to an oceanographic observation and monitoring system directed by South African research institutions in support of South Africa’s needs – and where possible, in support of global requirements of inter alia the Global Oceans Observing System (GOOS), the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). With the declaration on 9 April 2013 of the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) as...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.34092025
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Plankton Dynamics During an Upwelling Cycle on the Africana Voyage 128, February 1995

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 16 February 1995 and 26 February 1995, during the Plankton Dynamics During an Upwelling Cycle cruise on the Africana Voyage 128, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of Southern Africa. The main objective of the cruise was to study plankton processes following upwelling and to track upwelled water masses with drogues.

(No DOI)
Raw TSG data from SANAE on SA Agulhas II Voyage 014, December 2014

The is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) data from the SANAE on SA Agulhas II Voyage 014, 14 December 2014 and 19 February 2015 with full scientific complement.The South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) is an annual cruise undertaken by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to change the overwintering teams in Antarctica and to replenish the supplies at the SANAE IV Research base. This voyage was to deliver the SANAE 54 team to the island and return with the SANAE 53 team.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052249
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 248, May 2018

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) Cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 248 in May 2018. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional platform to undertake relevant science in the Southern Benguela; also functioning as a platform for collaboration and learning. All projects aim to develop an ecosystem indicator that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern Benguela i.e physical, chemical, planktonic, microbial, seabird and benthic ecosystem indicators, used for ecosystem-based management.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052207
Marion Island Annual Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 024, April 2017

The Marion Island Annual Relief Voyage was conducted on the MV SA Agulhas II Voyage 024, 06 April to 12 May 2017. The 2017 Marion Relief Voyage offered the fifth opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, shipbased marine research focusing on links and interactions between air and sea, ocean physics, chemistry, biogeochemistry and biology, including microbial, planktic and benthic communities on board South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel MV SA Agulhas II en route to, and around, the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward archipelago. The overall aim was to continue contributing to an oceanographic observation and monitoring system directed by South African research institutions in support of South Africa’s needs – and where possible, in support of global requirements of inter alia the Global Oceans Observing System (GOOS), the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the Agreement on the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.13542023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from SA Agulhas II Voyage 034, September 2018

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected between 07 September 2018 and 13 October 2018 during SA Agulhas II Voyage 034. A SeaBird SBE45 TSG is used to opportunistically collect underway near-surface temperature and conductivity measurements during research and monitoring cruises. Water is continuously pumped to the TSG from an intake located in the hull of the vessel, and the observations are continuously interfaced with navigational information. A temperature sensor close to the intake provides temperature measurements of the incoming water (T1). The temperature of the water inside the conductivity cell (T2) is used to accurately compute salinity (S) from the conductivity measurements (C).

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.33092025
Processed CTD discrete observations from the West Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 127, January 1995

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data collected between 07 January 1995 and 02 February 1995, during the West Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 127, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of Southern Africa. The main objective of the cruise was to estimate the abundance of hake and other demersal species and to collect hydrological data.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000001
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Africana Voyage 181, August 2003

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 181 in August 2003. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000008
No Download
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Africana Voyage 216, March 2006

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 216 in March 2006. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.32042026
South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 135, April 1996

The South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 135 from 10 April to 2 May 1996. The primary objective of the cruise was to conduct a stratified bottom trawl survey to assess the biomass, abundance and distribution of hake, sole, horse mackerel, squid and other trawl species on the Agulhas Bank; to investigate the hydrology and current profiles of the South Coast and to relate this to the distribution of the major demersal trawl species, including five transects extending from specified areas on the South Coast approximately perpendicular to the coastline out towards the main stream of the Agulhas Current, as well as a mini-CTD transect grid in the Cape St Francis area; to conduct routine biological and length frequency sampling of the catch (specifically hake, squid, panga, sole, sharks and rays); to sample the catches for hake sex ratios, gonad stages and frequency of frill on gill; to sample hake from trawls in specific areas for histological...

(No DOI)
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Raw SDS data from ACEP Deep Secrets: The Outer Shelf and Slope Ecosystems of the Eastern Cape on the Algoa Voyage 230, September 2016

This is raw Scientific Data System (SDS) data collected on the ACEP Deep Secrets Cruise which set out to fill in gaps and shed light on the priority areas and research questions identified during the recent Marine Protected Area and Marine Spatial Planning Initiatives of Operation Phakisa’s Marine Protection and Governance Lab. Using underwater cameras (SkiMonkey and Drop camera), grabs, dredges and a CTD the study aimed to improve our knowledge on marine offshore habitats, as well as to build understanding of the effects of the expanding fishing and petroleum industries on marine offshore communities.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.13602023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from SA Agulhas II Voyage 059, September 2023

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected between 16 September 2023 and 17 October 2023 on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 059. A SeaBird SBE45 TSG is used to opportunistically collect underway near-surface temperature and conductivity measurements during research and monitoring cruises. Water is continuously pumped to the TSG from an intake located in the hull of the vessel, and the observations are continuously interfaced with navigational information. A temperature sensor close to the intake provides temperature measurements of the incoming water (T1). The temperature of the water inside the conductivity cell (T2) is used to accurately compute salinity (S) from the conductivity measurements (C).

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15842023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Pelagic Fish Spawner Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 126, November 1994

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 11 November and 07 December 1994, during Voyage 126 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) on the west coast of Southern Africa and in the Agulhas Current Large Marine ecosystem (ACLME) on the south coast of Southern Africa. Neil Brown MK3 and MK4 CTD instruments were used to measure pressure, temperature and conductivity through the water column during research and monitoring cruises between 1983 and 2000.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.18052026
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Microplankton image observations for August 2019 on the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB)

Microplankton, comprising both phyto- and zooplankton in the 20-200μm size range, are a diverse and ecologically significant group. They form the foundation of the food web, are instrumental in carbon and nutrient cycling, generate at least 50% of global oxygen and facilitate the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Although microplankton occur throughout the world's oceans, their diversity and abundance varies spatially and temporally. Due to their high sensitivity and rapid response to changes in the environment, their biomass and diversity are considered Essential Ocean Variables (EOV's) for routine and sustained long term observations to assess global ocean changes. This dataset forms part of the routine monitoring along the west coast of South Africa under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, which occurs biannually in February and August. This resource contains raw image data for August 2019 obtained from water samples processed using a FlowCam VS3...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.17052026
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Microplankton image observations for February 2019 on the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB)

Microplankton, comprising both phyto- and zooplankton in the 20-200μm size range, are a diverse and ecologically significant group. They form the foundation of the food web, are instrumental in carbon and nutrient cycling, generate at least 50% of global oxygen and facilitate the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels. Although microplankton occur throughout the world's oceans, their diversity and abundance varies spatially and temporally. Due to their high sensitivity and rapid response to changes in the environment, their biomass and diversity are considered Essential Ocean Variables (EOV's) for routine and sustained long term observations to assess global ocean changes. This dataset forms part of the routine monitoring along the west coast of South Africa under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, which occurs biannually in February and August. This resource contains raw image data for February 2019 obtained from water samples processed using a FlowCam VS3...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052266
International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028, October 2017

The International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 is a collaborative regional cruise to build capacity and strength within Africa. The focus will be on developing students in the region in the areas of physical oceanography, chemistry, biological oceanography, benthic biodiversity, marine top predators and marine plastics.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26500004
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Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028 in October 2017

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the IIOE2 cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028, between 14 October and 15 November 2017. The International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 is a collaborative regional cruise to build capacity and strength within Africa. The focus will be on developing students in the region in the areas of physical oceanography, chemistry, biological oceanography, benthic biodiversity, marine top predators and marine plastics.

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