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Raw SADCP data from the West Coast Cetacean Distribution and Abundance Survey on the Algoa Voyage 211, October 2014

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data collected on the West Coast Cetacean Distribution and Abundance Survey on the Algoa Voyage 211, 28 October to 10 November 2014. The cruise operated on the shelf and slope regions off the West Coast of South Africa, between Dassen Island and Groenriviermond.The major objective of this cruise was to survey the abundance and distribution of cetaceans, in particular humpback whales, within the study area on the west coast. This objective, along with the research aims and proposed methodologies, are consistent with internationally accepted protocols. This work provided hands-on experience with logistical and technical cetacean specific problems associated with dedicated cetacean cruises. This work was a collaboration with the Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

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Processed CTD data from the South Coast Moorings and Monitoring Lines Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 213, December 2014

This is processed Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the South Coast Moorings and Monitoring Lines Cruise on Algoa Voyage 213 on 1 to 19 December, 2014. Between 1988 and 2011, environmental and plankton sampling was conducted every summer along the South Coast during the annual pelagic spawner biomass surveys. Data collected during these cruises has provided valuable insight into environmental change in this region. There has been significant decline in copepod biomass on both the western and central Agulhas Bank over the past two decades, as well as a decline in the proportion of the large dominant species Calanus agulhensis, resulting in a shift towards a smaller copepod-dominated community. These changes are thought to have been largely driven by predation by planktivorous fish, which have increased in biomass since the mid-1990s, but increasing sea temperatures have also played a role. It is vital that we continue to monitor the environment and plankton community...

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Processed CTD data from the 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...

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Processed CTD data from the Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 290, October 2016

This is processed Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 290 from 25 October - 14 December 2016. The cruise operated from Hondeklip Bay to Port St Johns, South Africa.The principal aim of the Pelagic Biomass Surveys is to obtain estimates of the total biomass of anchovy, sardine and west coast round herring and to obtain data on their population length frequency compositions, for input to the operational management procedure (OMP) for making Total Allowable Catch (TAC) recommendations for the following year. The surveys also obtain information on the environment and food regime impacting anchovy, sardine and west coast round herring around the coast, although recent surveys (~2009 onwards) have included much less environmental sampling than earlier years. The survey uses hydro-acoustics to estimate fish density and abundance, and midwater trawling to identify acoustic targets and to obtain length frequency and other...

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Processed CTD data from the Walters Shoal Cruise on Algoa Voyage 207, May 2014

This is processed Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data collected on the Walters Shoal Cruise on Algoa Voyage 207, 15 May to 11 June 2014. The purpose of this cruise was to survey the oceanographic conditions and plankton distributions around Walter Shoal seamount, from beyond the 1000m contour line across the plateau. 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 data whether expressed or implied, including without limitation, any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose....

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Raw TSG data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 214, February 2015

This is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 214 in the South-East Atlantic Ocean from 16 to 25 February, 2015. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme 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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Processed and corrected CTD data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 223, February 2016

This is processed and corrected Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme (IEP) cruise: Southern Benguela on the Algoa V223, 8 - 17 February 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. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01172023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 272, May 2021

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected between 14 May and 21 May 2021 during the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 272. 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 IEP:SB in 2013 consolidated a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.23072024
Processed CTD discrete observations from the South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 095, September 1991

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 12 September and 03 October 1991, during voyage 095 on the FRS Africana, in 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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20072024
Processed CTD discrete observations from the South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana voyage 093, June 1991

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 07 June and 05 July 1991, during voyage 093 on the Africana, in 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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01232023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 279, February 2022

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected during the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 279 between 04 February and 12 February 2022. 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 IEP:SB in 2013 consolidated a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.20210411
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from SA Agulhas II Voyage 015, April 2015

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). Here we present the 10-second resolution processed TSG data collected between 09 April 2015 and 15 May 2015, during Voyage 015 on the SA Agulhas II.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.44122022
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Plankton Frontal Zone on the Africana Voyage 027, December 1984

This is processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the Plankton Frontal Zone on the Africana Voyage 027. The cruise operated in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa. The Plankton Frontal Zone cruise was carried out on the Africana Voyage 027 from 6 to 13 December 1984.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.12122022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Shoal Ecology Cruise on the Africana Voyage 018, April 1984

This is processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data from the Shoal Ecology Cruise on the Africana Voyage 018 collected between 9 and 19 April 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 obtain a broad picture of pelagic fish shoal distribution in relation to the prevailing mesoscale environmental features; to investigate intensively the diel shoal behaviour pattern of anchovy, pilchard and round herring, with particular reference to their feeding behaviour in relation to food supply. If time permitted the plan was to carry the investigation out in two areas of contrasting environmental features ie St Helena Bay and off Saldanha Bay. Shoals of fish close to strong environmental gradients (in a horizontal plane) will be surveyed to investigate the effect, if any, upon diel behaviour patterns on either side of the gradient. A number of...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.25112022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 015, January 1984

This is processed downcast CTD continuous data from the West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 015 from 05 - 31 January 1984. The cruise operated in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa. The purpose of this cruise was to survey by means of trawling the abundance of recruiting and adult hake between the Orange River and longitude 20° E. The objectives also included investigating the diurnal cycle of hake and other demersal species, to compare the trawling results of R.S. Africana with those of M.F.V. Chicha Touza, the Spanish trawler used for similar surveys, to investigate the environment of hake and other demersal species and to carry out acoustic target identification of mesopelagic species using RMT 8 nets.

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Raw SADCP data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) 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.39122022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Physical Oceanography on the Africana Voyage 025, October 1984

This is processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data from the West Coast Physical Oceanography on the Africana Voyage 025, collected between 25 and 31 October 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 included studying shelf circulation in the vicinity of Port Nolloth by placing three current meter moorings across the shelf; exploring the deep circulation in the Cape Basin which is thought to be a driving mechanism for the preponderance of southward flow observed on the shelf by placing a current meter in 3000m of water; recovering one current meter in the Cape Canyon and deploying two current meter moorings and a thermistor string near Cape Columbine and obtaining Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data at these sites; collecting chemical samples and CTD data along a line between Port Nolloth to the deep current meter site, this included 100ml...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.56122022
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Spanish-Namibian Environmental Cruise (SNEC) on the Africana Voyage 035, September 1985

This is processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the Spanish-Namibian Environmental Cruise (SNEC) on the Africana Voyage 035, collected between 16 September and 06 October 1985. The cruise operated in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa. The objective of this cruise was to investigate the hydrology and plankton of the coastal waters off Nambia between 20 S and 26 S.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01162023
Processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts collected during the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 045, May 2021

Here we present 57 processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts collected in the South West Indian Ridge area and along the Crossroads Transect, between 08 May 2021 and 11 May 2021, during the 2021 Marion Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 045. 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 CTD stations and XBT casts, where the XBT casts are done, at set intervals, between CTD stations to complement the CTD data. The 2021 Marion Relief Voyage 045 offered the 9th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary,...

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Raw TSG 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 raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) 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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Raw SADCP data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 212, November 2014

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela on the Algoa Voyage 212, 12 to 26 November, 2014. 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.43122022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Plankton Frontal Zone on the Africana Voyage 027, December 1984

This is processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data from the Plankton Frontal Zone on the Africana Voyage 027. The cruise operated in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of South Africa. The Plankton Frontal Zone cruise was carried out on the Africana Voyage 027 from 6 to 13 December 1984.

(No DOI)
Raw SADCP data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 214, February 2015

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 214 in the South-East Atlantic Ocean from 16 to 25 February, 2015. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme 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.18072024
South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 093, June 1991

The South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 093 was conducted from 7 June 1991 to 5 July 1991. The main objectives of the cruise were to conduct a random stratified bottom trawl survey to assess the biomass, abundance and distribution of hake, sole, horse mackerel, squid and other trawl species; to investigate the hydrology and current profiles of the South Coast and to relate this to the distribution of the major demersal trawl species; this will include five transects extending from specified areas on the South Coast and approximately perpendicular to the coastline outwards towards the mainstream of the Agulhas Current; to do a selected number of mid-water trawls to test for the abundance of kingklip and hake and other demersal species as close as possible to the bottom and in midwater over grounds normally inaccessible to bottom trawl gear. To conduct routine biological sampling of the main demersal species; to sample squid intensively to establish their...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.21072024
South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 095, September 1991

The South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 095 was conducted on 12 September 1991 to 3 October 1991. The main objective of the survey was to conduct a random stratified bottom trawl survey to assess the biomass, abundance and distribution of hake, sole, horse mackerel, squid and other trawl species with emphasis on 'inshore' fishing areas for recruitment estimates; to investigate the hydrology and current profiles of the South Coast and to relate this to the distribution of the major demersal trawl species; this included five transects extending from specified areas on the South Coast and approximately perpendicular to the coastline out towards the mainstream of the Agulhas Current. A CTD grid in the Cape St Francis area was also done; to do a selected number of midwater trawls to test for the abundance of kingklip and hake and other demersal species as close as possible to the bottom and in midwater over grounds normally inaccessible to bottom trawl gear; to do...

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