DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15862023
Analysed nutrient data from the Gough Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II 068, September 2025

Dissolved inorganic macronutrients nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), silicate (PO4) and phosphate (PO4) in the upper waters of the ocean. The availability of these macronutrients limits and regulates the production of organic matter during photosynthesis. Therefore, phytoplankton uptake of the macronutrients plays a necessary role concerning biogeochemical cycling of carbon around Gough Island and the Southern Ocean. Here we present macronutrients data collected along the upstream, near island and downstream of the Gough Island (39.8 °S, 9.5 °W and 40.8 °S, 10.4 °W) during the yearly logistical voyage of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) from the 15 September to 15 October 2025. We sampled 10 stations which were grouped into three categories: upstream stations, near island stations and downstream stations. Seawater samples were analysed for macronutrients concentrations within three months of collection, with detection limits of 0.03 μM for nitrate +...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15852023
Analysed nutrient data from the Gough Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II 064, September 2024

Dissolved inorganic macronutrients nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), silicate (PO4) and phosphate (PO4) in the upper waters of the ocean. The availability of these macronutrients limits and regulates the production of organic matter during photosynthesis. Therefore, phytoplankton uptake of the macronutrients plays a necessary role concerning biogeochemical cycling of carbon around Gough Island and Southern Ocean. Here we present macronutrients data collected along the upstream, near island and downstream of the Gough Island (39.8 °S, 9.5 °W and 40.8 °S, 10.4 °W) during the yearly logistical voyage of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) from the 5 September to 7 October 2024. We sampled 10 stations which were grouped into three categories: upstream stations, near island stations and downstream stations. Seawater samples were analysed for macronutrients concentrations within three months of collection, with detection limits of 0.03 μM for nitrate + nitrite,...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.59122022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the South Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 036, October 1985

This is processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data from the South Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 036, collected between 15 and 26 October 1985. The cruise operated in the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) region on the south coast of South Africa. The first objective of this cruise was to establish, by means of surveying and trawling between 200m and 500m water depths, the feasibility of extending the hake biomass surveys to the South Coast. The area 20 E to 25 E, from 75m to 200m water depths, has already been covered during biomass surveys by Japanese research vessels, accompanied on each occasion by one of the Institute's scientists. The feasibility of trawling shallower than 200m in this region, albeit with heavy gear, has thus already been established. The second objective was to investigate, by trawling, the depth distribution of squid in the area 23 30'E and 24 30'E, from as close as possible to the coast (i.e. as shallow...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.05072023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 054, June 1987

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 16 June and 10 July 1987, during the West Coast Hake Biomass Cruise on the Africana Voyage 054, 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 scientific targets of the trip revolved around the determination of biomass index of both Cape hake species off the South African west coast. The diurnal cycle of Cape hake and their relationship with environmental parameters was also studied. Some hake material were collected in South West African waters. Deep-water trawls were made to delimit the offshore extent of hake distribution and to collect rare specimens of fish for accession to museums. Demersal community interrelationships were studied, as...

(No DOI)
Processed XBT data from SANAE on SA Agulhas II Voyage 018, December 2015

This is processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) data from SANAE, SA Agulhas II Yoyage 018 from 05 December 2015 to 10 February 2016. 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 55 team to the island and return with the SANAE 54 team. The cruise was undertaken between with full scientific complement.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.32122022
Anchovy Spawning Stock Survey on the Africana Voyage 038, November 1985

The objectives of this cruise were to assess the size of the anchovy spawning stock in Cape waters by acoustic survey and estimation of egg production; describe the distribution and behaviour of other pelagic and mesopelagic fish of commercial importance; describe anchovy spawning patterns and estimate the precision of the parameters used in assessing spawning stock size by the egg production method (sex ratio, spawning fraction, fecundity, mean weight); and to investigate relationships between the distribution of pelagic fish, eggs and water temperature.

(No DOI)
Raw SDS data from Gough Island Relief on S.A Agulhas II Voyage 012, September 2014

The is raw Scientific Data System (SDS) 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.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052229
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 212, November 2014

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted 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.26500018
Compilation of validated and processed Bongo data (deck, flow and count) from the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 088, December 2000

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 Algoa, Voyage 088, from 12 to 13 December 2000. This includes the validated flow, processed counts and validated ship`s information. This is ready for analysis by a user. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052221
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 202, September 2013

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 202, 9 to 19 September, 2013. This was the pilot cruise for the IEP:SB for site determination and gear testing.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.38042026
West Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 139, January 1997

The West Coast Demersal Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 139 from 8 January to 30 January 1997. The objectives of the cruise were to survey, by means of trawling, the abundance of adult and recruiting hake in South African waters; to conduct routine biological and length frequency sampling of demersal species; to investigate the environmental and ecological inter-relationships of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the occurrence, distribution, reproduction and abundance of squid species; to investigate the distribution and biology of demersal species in water at depths greater than 500 m by means of demersal trawling; to sample catches of hake for sex ratios and frequency of gill parasites; to conduct demersal environmental studies including intercalibration of bottom temperature measurements with commercial trawlers, and CTD and ADCP measurements at all trawl stations and other specified stations; the collection of specimens for the South African...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11232023
Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 057, May 2023

The 2023 Marion Relief Voyage 057 offered the 11th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, ship-based oceanographic research on board the SA Agulhas II en route to, from, and around, the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (PEIs). The ship-based research was conducted as a joint multi-institutional, multidisciplinary effort with scientists, research technicians, interns and students from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans & Coasts Research (DFFE-OCR), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Specialist Monitoring Services (DFFE-SMS), Bayworld Centre for Research and Education (BCRE), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Pretoria (UP), all collaborating to achieve a variety of research and monitoring project objectives. For the 2023 Relief voyage 19 scientists; students; technicians and interns participated on the voyage from the various institutes and universities.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.30092025
Plankton Dynamics During an Upwelling Cycle on the Africana Voyage 128, February 1995

The Plankton Dynamics During an Upwelling Cycle cruise was conducted from 14 to 28 February 1995 to study plankton processes following coastal upwelling off Cape Columbine and the Cape Peninsula. Mesoscale upwelled water masses were tracked using drogues, and routine sampling included CTD/rosette casts, nutrient uptake experiments and measurements of phytoplankton, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton. Transects perpendicular to the drogue track provided spatial perspective on bloom development and decline.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.47122022
Processed CTD continuous observations from the West Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 028, January 1985

This is processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data from the West Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 028, collected between 7 and 30 January 1985. 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 survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake; to investigate the diurnal cycle and the environment of hake and other demersal species; to compare trawling results of R.S. Africana with those of the Chicha Touza, the Spanish trawler used for similar surveys; to carry out acoustic target identification of mesopelagic species using RMT 8 nets and to retrieve two current meter arrays deployed during Voyage 025.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.40122022
Processed CTD discrete observations from the West Coast Physical Oceanography on the Africana Voyage 025, October 1984

This is processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete 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 samples...

(No DOI)
Raw SADCP data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 223, February 2016

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) 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.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052256
South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 005, December 2012

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 52 team to the island and return with the SANAE 51 team. The cruise was undertaken between 06 December 2012 and 19 February 2013 with full scientific complement.

(No DOI)
Processed CTD data from African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) from Algoa Voyage 176, January 2010

The Algoa sailed from Durban on 22 January 2010 to conduct a hydrographic survey of the Natal Bight as part of the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) II. A total of 16 shore-normal transects were occupied between Scottburgh and St. Lucia.The sampling locations are indicated in Figure 1 of the Cruise Report. The aim of the synoptic survey was to determine the nutrient sources of the Natal Bight ecosystem, and to characterise the focus sites across the Bight. Unfortunately, due to instrument failure, a planned ADCP transect between St. Lucia and Durban could not be completed. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052262
South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 018, December 2015

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 55 team to the island and return with the SANAE 54 team. The cruise was undertaken between 05 December 2015 and 10 February 2016 with full scientific complement.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052217
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 195, March 2013

The St Helena Bay Monitoring Line, which now falls under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 195, 4 to 8 March, 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.11802023
Physical-Chemical Oceanography Cruise on the Africana Voyage 067, September 1988

The Physical-Chemical Oceanography Cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 067 from 14 - 30 September 1988. This cruise was divided into two legs with the first leg focusing on physical oceanography and the latter on chemical oceanography. The purpose of the first leg of the cruise was primarily to moor current meters and water-level recorders at various sites, mostly north of the Orange River, and to obtain a precise set of Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data on a line running normal to the topography from a point in 4200m of water into Conception Bay. The CTD data will be used to calculate water flux along the shelf using inverse techniques. The objectives of the second leg included deploying the Kriel sequential sediment trap west of Walvis Bay, recovering Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SFRI) sediment traps deployed in the first half of the cruise, investigating trends in primary production in the vicinity of the Kriel trap mooring and around upwelling centres using...

(No DOI)
Raw SADCP data from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 015, April 2015

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 015 from 9 April to 15 May, 2015. The 2015 Marion Relief Voyage on board South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel MV SA Agulhas II offered yet 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, including microbial, planktic and benthic communities. 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 the Global Oceans Observing System (GOOS), the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Agreement on the Conservation of...

(No DOI)
Processed Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) data from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 030, April 2018

This processed Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 030 from 13 April to 28 April 2018. The Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data is uncalibrated and not verified. The 2018 Marion Relief Voyage 030 offered the 6th 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 and planktic 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),...

(No DOI)
Raw TSG data from the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 193, January 2013

This is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) data from the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line January 2013 cruise (now under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela). 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.

(No DOI)
Raw CTD data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 205, February 2014

This is raw Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela on the Algoa Voyage 205, 03 to 22 February, 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.

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