DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11652023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the South West African Pilchard and Anchovy Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 074, June 1989

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected, between 22 June and 04 July 1989, during Voyage 074 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west 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. The objectives of the South West African Pilchard and Anchovy Biomass Survey were to undertake an acoustic / trawling survey of the pilchard stock off SWA and arrive at a stock estimate; to survey the horse-mackerel and anchovy stocks off South West Africa (SWA) and obtain stock estimates if possible and to collect the environmental information on the habitat of the above species primarily by means of CTD and U³ dips in the upper 200m.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11872023
Physical-Chemical Oceanography Cruise on the Africana Voyage 077, September 1989

The Physical-Chemical Oceanography Cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 077, from 11 - 22 September 1989. There were several objectives to this cruise, covering Physical Environment (PE), Sedimentation and Nutrient cycling (SN), Chemical Environment (CE), Shoal Ecology (SE), Plankton studies (P) and testing of the new AIDA acoustic system with possible estimates of biomass in specific places such as in the baroclinic jets. The cruise objectives included identifying and documenting near-surface and mid-water baroclinic jets west of Cape Columbine and Cape Town using acoustic doppler profiling and Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data; observing currents in the upper 200m at regular intervals along the cruise track, using the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP); performing a 30 hour internal tide experiment at the shelf edge west of the Chamais Bay; deploying a series of current meter moorings on the Namibian remote shelf and eastern Cape Basin zones between Chamais...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11752023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Pelagic Fish Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 078, November 1989

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 07 November and 30 November 1989 during Voyage 078 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) region 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. The objectives of the Pelagic Fish Biomass Survey were to conduct an estimation of the biomass and population structure of anchovy, pilchard and round herring off South Africa by means of echo-integration and midwater trawling; to conduct an estimation of anchovy biomass by means of the egg production method; to describe the distribution and behaviour patterns of commercially harvested epi-pelagic and meso-pelagic fish, and the influence of...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11532023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 069, January 1989

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 05 and 26 January 1989 during Voyage 069 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west 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. The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey was multi-disciplinary. The main target was to determine, by means of the swept area method, the present status of the hake resource on the South African west coast. In carrying out this study, it was possible also to collect some information on the environment and zooplankton (including squid larvae) in the vicinity of the catches and to determine some ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal fish species, to investigate squid distribution, to study some aspects of the biology and...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11772023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 079, January 1990

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 04 January and 29 January 1990, during Voyage 079 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west 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.04422023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 050, January 1987

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 06 January and 31 January 1987, during the West Coast Hake Biomass Cruise on the Africana Voyage 050, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South 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. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake; to investigate the the diurnal cycle of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the environment and interrelationships of hake and other demersal species; to establish the offshore limit of hake and monkfish distribution and to collect deep-water specimens of fish and cephalopods; to conduct mouth-opening experiments with transducers on each wing of the net, and to compare the mouth...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.05212023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Anchovy and Pilchard Spawning Stock Survey on the Africana Voyage 057, November 1987

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 05 November and 30 November 1987, during the Anchovy and Pilchard Spawning Stock Survey on the Africana Voyage 057, in the southern part of the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) on the south coast of South Africa and the southern part of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South 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. The main objective of the cruise was to determine acoustically the biomass of the pilchard and anchovy spawning stocks between Hondeklip Bay and the eastern end of the Agulhas Bank. Additionally, the relationship between the distribution of pelagic fish, their eggs and the water temperature was investigated, and chemical samples were taken along lines...

(No DOI)
Raw CTD data from Gough Island Relief on SA Agulhas II Voyage 012, September 2014

The is raw Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the Gough Island Relief Voyage on SA Agulhas II Voyage 012, 04 September 2014 and 9 October 2014. The Gough Island Relief Voyage is an annual cruise undertaken by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to change the overwintering team in Gough Island and to replenish the supplies at the British’s leased Gough Island Research base. The cruise also serves as a means to transport the residents and/or visitors to Tristan da Cunha using a signed agreement between South Africa and United Kingdom (UK). This voyage was to deliver the Gough 60 team to the island and return with the Gough 59 team.

(No DOI)
Raw TSG data from Gough Island Relief / Tristan da Cunha on SA Agulhas II Voyage 009, September 2013

This is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) data from the Gough Island Relief / Tristan da Cunha cruise on the SA Agulhas II, Voyage 009 from 5 September to 10 October, 2013.

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

The is raw Scientific Data System (SDS) 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.09122022
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Coastal Current Meter Programme on the Africana Voyage 017, March 1984

This is processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast from the Coastal Current Meter Programme on the Africana Voyage 017 collected between 19 and 27 March 1984. The cruise operated in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052196
Marion Island Relief Voyage on SA Agulhas II Voyage 011, April 2014

The Marion Island Relief Voyage was conducted on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 011, 14 April to 14 May 2014. The 2014 Marion Relief Voyage on board South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel MV SA Agulhas II, offered another opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary ship-based oceanographic research focusing on links and interactions between air and sea, ocean physics, chemistry, biogeochemistry and biology. The overall aim was to continue contributing to the establishment of an oceanographic observation and monitoring system directed by South African research institutions in support of South Africa’s needs – and where possible, the global requirements of GOOS, SOOS, CCAMLR, ACAP, etc. With the recent declaration in April 2013 of the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) as South Africa’s first offshore Marine Protected Area (MPA), the outcomes of this cruise will further contribute toward an integrated view and a better understanding of the functioning of the combined island/marine PEI ecosystem.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01192023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the SAMBA Monitoring Line cruise on the Algoa Voyage 275, September 2021

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected on the Algoa Voyage 275 on the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Basin-wide Array (SAMBA) Monitoring Line in the South-East Atlantic Ocean, between 13 September and 3 October 2021. A SeaBird SBE45 Thermosalinograph (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). The cruise operated from Cape Town towards Slangkop and westwards to 0° E, in an easterly direction in the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01372023
Processed near-surface underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 045, May 2021

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected between 09 April 2021 and 12 May 2021 during the 2021 Marion Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 045. A SeaBird SBE45 Thermosalinograph (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). The 2021 Marion Relief Voyage 045 offered the 9th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, ship-based oceanographic research on board the SA Agulhas II en-route to, from, and around, the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01432023
Processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts collected during the 2022 Marion Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 051, May 2022

Here we present 49 processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts collected in the South West Indian Ridge area and along the Crossroads Transect, between 18 May 2022 and 21 May 2022, during the 2022 Marion Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 051. The South African component of the international South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation project (SAMOC-SA) aims to characterise the time-mean and time-varying components of the SAMOC in the South Atlantic Ocean and monitor the variability of the main Southern Ocean frontal systems associated with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), south of Africa. The Crossroads monitoring line, directly under the altimetry track N198, is sampled annually during the Marion Relief voyages, using a combination of Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations and XBT casts, where the XBT casts are done, at set intervals, between CTD stations to complement the CTD data.The 2022 Marion Relief Voyage 051 offered the 10th opportunity...

(No DOI)
Raw SDS data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 229, August 2016

Raw Scientific Data System (SDS) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela on Algoa Voyage 229, 10 - 19 August 2016. 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.

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Raw SDS data from the West Coast Cetacean Distribution and Abundance Survey on the Algoa Voyage 231, October 2016

Raw Scientific Data System (SDS) data for the 2016 West Coast Cetacean Cruise. The survey operated on the shelf and slope regions off the west coast of South Africa, between Area 1 (Dassen Island, 18.23669, -33.457 and Groenriviermond, 17.52061, -30.8277) and Area 2 (North-East Robben Island and Cape Point). This cruise was undertaken for data collection as part of a collaborative project led by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in collaboration with the Whale Unit, Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA), Aqualie Institute (Brazil) and Oregon State University (USA). The greater programme is titled "Large whale research: genetic relatedness, stock identification, abundance, feeding and migratory behavious". The large whale research programme has two components, the east coast and west coast components. This cruise focused on the west coast...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26500003
Compilation of validated and processed data (deck, flow and count) from the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Africana Voyage 269, January 2011

Compilation of processed and validated data of mesozooplankton along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) (now under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela) on the Africana, Voyage 269, from 11 to 13 January 2011. This includes the validated flow, processed counts and validated ship`s information. This is ready for analysis by a user. 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 are also 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.20210314
Processed CTD continuous observations from Africana Voyage 013, November 1983

Neil Brown MK3 and MK4 Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) instruments were used to measure pressure, temperature and conductivity through the water column during research and monitoring cruises between 1983 and 2000. Here we present processed downcast CTD continuous data collected between 02 and 28 November 1983, during Voyage 013 on the Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) on the south coast of South Africa.

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Processed Chlorophyll data from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 032, June 2018

The International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) 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. This is processed Chlorophyll data collected from Niskin Bottles from the IIOE2 cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 032, between the 10th June and 13th July 2018.

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Raw Echo Sounder data from the West Coast Cetacean Distribution and Abundance Survey on the Algoa Voyage 231, October 2016

Raw Echo Sounder data for the 2016 West Coast Cetacean Cruise. The survey operated on the shelf and slope regions off the west coast of South Africa, between Area 1 (Dassen Island, 18.23669, -33.457 and Groenriviermond, 17.52061, -30.8277) and Area 2 (North-East Robben Island and Cape Point). This cruise was undertaken for data collection as part of a collaborative project led by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in collaboration with the Whale Unit, Mammal Research Institute of the University of Pretoria, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA), Aqualie Institute (Brazil) and Oregon State University (USA). The greater programme is titled "Large whale research: genetic relatedness, stock identification, abundance, feeding and migratory behaviours". The large whale research programme has two components, the east coast and west coast components. This cruise focused on the west coast humpback whales.

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Processed Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028, October 2017

This is processed Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the IIOE2 cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028 in 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. This dataset was processed using older standards which may not align with international best practices and the standards currently adhered to by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The Department is re-processing and replacing data to ensure everything has the same format and is of the same quality and datasets will be marked as obsoleted once that is done. As such the user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data in its current state and format. DFFE disclaims all warranties of the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11622023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Anchovy Recruitment Survey on the Africana Voyage 073, June 1989

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 08 and 22 June 1989 during Voyage 073 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South 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. The objectives of the Anchovy Recruitment Survey were to assess anchovy recruitment strength in South African waters in order to recommend a final quota for the 1989 RSA anchovy fishing season; to collect data for the determination of the target strength of anchovy and other pelagic and mesopelagic species; to collect data on shoaling behaviour of pelagic fish, specifically anchovy, pilchard and red-eye; to investigate relationships between the distribution of pelagic fish, zooplankton and water temperature; to determine standing stocks...

(No DOI)
Raw SDS data from the Mooring Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 199, June 2013

This is Scientific Data System (SDS) data from the Mooring Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 199 from 29 June - 3 July, 2013. The area covered includes Slangkop, off of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa to Port Edward, south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

(No DOI)
Raw SDS data for the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Basin-wide Array (SAMBA) Monitoring Line in the South-East Atlantic Ocean on Algoa Voyage 210, September 2014

This is Scientific Data System (SDS) data for the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Basin-wide Array (SAMBA) Monitoring Line in the South-East Atlantic Ocean on Algoa Voyage 210,15 to 29 September, 2014. This cruise had a primary scientific objective of extending the SAMBA mooring line, the offshore section of the Cape Point long-term monitoring line, and deploying the four offshore tall moorings.

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