DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.41042026
Pelagic Pre-Recruit survey on the Africana Voyage 143, March 1997

The Pelagic Pre-Recruit Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 143 from 6 March to 27 March 1997. The objectives of the cruise were to profile currents by means of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP); to estimate the biomass and population structure of pelagic pre-recruit fish off the West Coast by means of echo integration and midwater trawling; to investigate the extent of pelagic pre-recruit distribution and biomass index between Cape Columbine and Cape Infanta; to collect biological material for condition studies on pelagic pre-recruits; to collect ichthyoplankton samples and hydrological data along the weekly SARP line; to collect rock lobster phyllosoma and pueruli larvae for bioenergetic studies; and to collect environmental data.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26500015
Compilation of validated and processed data (deck, flow and count) from the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 091, February 2001

Compilation of processed and validated data of mesozooplankton along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) (now under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB)) on the Algoa, Voyage 091, from 05 to 08 February 2001. 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 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...

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Processed PCO2 data from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 cruise on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 028, October 2017

This is processed PCO2 data from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028 in October 2017. The 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.

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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 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 Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data from the IIOE2 cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 032, between the 10th June and 13th July 2018. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.200521-1
Benthic invertebrate fauna, associated habitats and potential factors influencing their distribution and abundance in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion, Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019

This Southern Benguela Cruise was conducted in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion on the Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019. This study focuses on providing a better understanding of the benthic invertebrate communities and associated habitats of three priority areas within the southernmost portion of the Southern Benguela Ecoregion. This includes Robben Island, the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) and the newly proposed Seas of Good Hope Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). The aims are: 1) To contribute to the first baseline assessment for continuous long-term monitoring. 2) To determine the species diversity of benthic invertebrate communities, and how geological (i.e habitat type) and physical factors (i.e. location, depth) may be responsible for driving their distribution and abundance. 3) To verify habitat types: Verification of the habitats associated with physical features (e.g. geological substrate) by means of in situ sampling of the...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052231
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 214, February 2015

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) was conducted on the 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. IEP:SB focuses on the biologically productive, cold waters of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which are inherently variable on short time-scales and responsive to changing weather patterms. The research aims to provide relevant, reliable and improved assessment of the ecosystem, in support of its effective management, preservation and conservation, so...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.08072024
Anchovy Recruitment Survey on the Africana Voyage 081, May 1990

The Anchovy Recruitment Survey on the Africana Voyage 081 was conducted from 07-12 May 1990. The objectives of the survey were to attain an estimation of the abundance and size-structure of anchovy recruits; describe the distribution and behaviour patterns of anchovy recruits and the influence of oceanographic variables on these; collect biological data on pelagic fish species; examine the distribution, abundance and production of zooplankton in relation to the environment, and to recruit distribution and condition; and the profiling of currents by means of the acoustic doppler current profiler.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052261
Gough Island Relief on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 017, September 2015

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 61 team to the island and return with the Gough 60 team. The cruise was undertaken between 03 September 2015 and 06 October 2015. The scope of ship-based science for this takeover voyage was limited to underway observations and SAWS drifting buoy deployments. The ship’s underway thermo-salinograph (TSG) initially suffered from a blockage due to debris in the pressure regulator in the wet biology lab. This problem was rectified on 4 September around 08:30 UTC, and logging of TSG data was started around 09:00 UCT.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11892023
West Coast Hake Biomass on the Africana Voyage 079, January 1990

The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 079 was conducted from 4 to 29 January 1990. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake in South African waters, to investigate the diurnal cycle of hake and other demersal species, to investigate the environmental and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species, to make some experimental trawls in deep water to determine hake distribution limits and collect deep-water specimens of fish and squid; to collect routine biological material on demersal species from Namibian waters (if time permitted); to investigate the occurence, distribution and abundance of squid and squid larvae; to study demersal community interrelationships; to study the biology of sharks and selected non-commercial fish species; to investigate zooplankton scattering layers and their influence on the feeding behaviour of small hake; to obtain coverage of...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.11812023
West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana 069, January 1989

The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana 069 from 5 - 26 January 1989. The cruise 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 distribution of sharks and skates, to study the feeding ecology of demersal species of little commercial importance and to look closely at demersal communities. A diurnal study was also carried out successfully and some deep-water trawls were made to collect rare and interesting specimens. While in South West African waters, a comparison of the trawling capabilities of the M.F.V....

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01112024
South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 072, May 1989

The South Coast Demersal Hake Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 072 from 10 May to 29 May 1989. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of bottom-trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake, sole and other trawl target species; to make experimental bottom-trawls in deep water to collect deep-water specimens of fish and squid; to test the feasibility of an acoustic assessment of horse mackerel; to investigate the environment and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species in the various depth strata; to study demersal community relationships; to investigate the occurrence, distribution and abundance of squid and squid larvae; to investigate the occurrence of line fish species in shallow waters; to study the biology of sharks and skates; and to train Oceanographic Research Assistants.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20240821
Raw data collected by Seaglider SG573 off Cape Town for CTD calibration (SeaTrials 2)

The Gliders in the Agulhas (GINA) project is a multi-institutional effort to implement sustained glider observations around South Africa’s coastline to enhance existing regional networks and complement larger international observations systems such as the Ocean Gliders Boundary Ocean Observing Network (BOON). This dataset includes all data collected by Seaglider SG573 during the first GINA deployment in 2018. The Seaglider was set-up to vertically profile the water column between depths of 0 and 1000m. Measurements collected included conductivity (salinity), temperature, depth (CTD), dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a fluorescence (proxy for phytoplankton concentration), Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and two wavelengths of optical back-scattering by particles, Bb(470) and Bb(700) (proxies for particle concentration). In addition, information collected from the Seaglider was used to derive surface and depth averaged currents. This is raw data collected by Seaglider SG573...

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Processed Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) data collection from the International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028, October 2017

This is processed Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the IIOE2 on SA Agulhas II Voyage 028 from October - 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. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.30072024
West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 088, January 1991

The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 088 from 07-29 January 1991. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of bottom trawling the abundance of hake and other demersal species on the West Coast of South Africa; to investigate the environmental and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the possible recovery of the stocks of West Coast Sole; to study the biology of chondrichthyan species; to collect material for the electrophoretic comparison of the southern African kingklip, Genypterus capensis, with the Australian G. blacodes and G. microstomus and the South American G. blacodes and G. chilensis; to investigate zooplankton scattering layers and their influence on the feeding behaviour and distribution of small hake; training of Oceanographic Research Assistants; to investigate the feasibility of using carbon and nitrogen isotopes for tracing hake diet; to obtain coverage of...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.51072024
West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 100, February 1992

The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 100 from 06 February to 03 March 1992. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of bottom trawling the abundance of hake and other demersal species on the West Coast of South Africa; to investigate the environmental and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species; to study the biology of chondrichthyan species; to investigate zooplankton scattering layers and their influence on the feeding behaviour and distribution of small hake; to investigate the feasibility of using carbon and nitrogen isotopes for tracing hake diet; to obtain coverage of chlorophyll-fluorescence distribution at the sea surface as part of an on going monitoring program; to investigate aspects of the feeding, dynamics and reproduction of zooplankton; to obtain information on the hydrology and currents on the West Coast; and to investigate vertical and horizontal distribution of hake south west of Cape Point...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.24072024
West Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 084, July 1990

The West Coast Hake Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 084 from 12 July - 06 August 1990. The objectives of the cruise were to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake in South African waters; to investigate diurnal cycle of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the environmental and ecological interrelationships of hake and other demersal species; to investigate the occurrence, distribution, and abundance of squid; to study the biology of chondrichthyan species; to investigate zooplankton scattering layers and their influence on the feeding and distribution of small hake; to investigate the feasibility of using carbon and nitrogen isotopes for tracing hake diet; to obtain extensive coverage of chlorophyll-fluorescence distribution at the sea surface as part of an ongoing monitoring program; to collect live chaetognaths and medusae for gut evacuation and feeding experiments, and for gut content analysis; and lastly to train...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.45072024
Pelagic Fish Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 097, November 1991

The Pelagic Fish Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 097 from 07 November to 03 December 1991. The objectives of the cruise were to estimate the biomass and population length structure of anchovy, pilchard, and round herring off South Africa by means of echo-integration and midwater trawling; to estimate anchovy biomass by means of the egg production method, and trial estimate pilchard 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 oceanographic variables on these; to collect biological data on reproduction, condition and diet of pelagic fish species; to determine phytoplankton biomass in the nanophytoplankton (<10 µm) and netphytoplankton (>10 µm) size-classes in surface waters; to obtain information on the distribution and abundance of meso-zooplankton; to estimate secondary production rates of adult copepods using the egg...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.42072024
Horse Mackerel Hydroacoustic Pilot Survey on the Africana Voyage 096, October 1991

The Horse Mackerel Hydroacoustic Pilot Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 096 from 14-28 October 1991. The objectives of the cruise were to test the feasibility of obtaining an acoustic estimate of adult horse mackerel; to assess the ability to determine target detectability, target identification and target strength; to obtain an estimate of horse mackerel abundance in a sub-region. The size of the sub-region were to be determined by the time available and on the results of the first two objectives; to collect biological data pertaining to horse mackerel; to measure currents by means of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) in order to: a) test for relationships between horse mackerel movement and near-surface and mid-water currents, and b) to add to the ADCP data base for the South East coast; to measure thermal and salinity structure of the water column using a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD), and measurement of basic biotic parameters; oxygen, nutrients...

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Raw CTD data from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 015, April 2015

This is raw Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) 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 Albatrosses and...

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Raw CTD data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 209, August 2014

This is raw Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela on the Algoa Voyage 209, 5 to 15 August, 2014. The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) 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. IEP:SB focuses on the biologically productive, cold waters of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which are inherently variable on short time-scales and responsive to changing weather patterms. The research aims to provide relevant, reliable and improved assessment of the ecosystem, in support of its effective management,...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.19052026
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Long-term monitoring of the shallow water benthic communities of Olifantsbos within Table Mountain National Park MPA

Benthic invertebrate communities, particularly sessile and semi-motile organisms like sponges, cnidarians and echinoderms, are effective for assessing long-term change, since they respond to factors such as marine pollution or climate change through measurable changes within populations over weeks to years. Exploratory research on these communities and their habitats has contributed substantially to increased understanding of benthic biota, and to the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, very few repeat observations in the same areas are available to assess changes in benthic community structure and function over time. With long-term monitoring being a key DFFE mandate, such data availability is becoming increasingly important to assess the credibility of management strategies within MPAs. The key objective of this study was to establish long-term monitoring of the sessile and semi-motile benthic invertebrate communities occurring at various depths in a...

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Raw chlorophyll a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 202, September 2013

This is raw chlorophyll a data from Niskin Bottles from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela 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.605209
Analysed primary production data from the 2017 Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruises

Analysed Particulate Organic Matter data, Nutrient data and Nitrate isotope data from the 2017 Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruises conducted in February, May, August and November. IEP:SB focuses on the biologically productive, cold waters of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which are inherently variable on short time-scales and responsive to changing weather patterms. The research aims to provide relevant, reliable and improved assessment of the ecosystem, in support of its effective management, preservation and conservation, so that South Africans can benefit from a healthy and well-functioning ocean environment. The overarching objective is to enhance understanding in process studies by assessing the importance, timing and magnitude of mechanisms and processes that influence the Southern Benguela ecosystem structure and functioning, including the climate variability.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.23042026
South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 131, September 1995

The South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 131 from 28 September to 20 October 1995. 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 up to 200m, but biased in terms of number of stations in depths up to 120m; 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 and approximately perpendicular to the coastline out towards the main stream of the Agulhas Current; to do a selected number of deep bottom trawls, if time allows, to investigate the distribution and abundance of deepwater fauna; to conduct routine biological and length frequency sampling of demersal species; to sample squid intensively to establish their...

(No DOI)
Raw SADCP data from the South Coast Mooring Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 208, July 2014

This is raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) data collected on the South Coast Mooring Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 208, 9 to 24 July 2014.The South Coast Mooring Cruise had two scientific objectives: (1) Service, maintain and extend the in situ operational oceanography network currently deployed around South Africa and (2) to investigate the dynamics of the Port St Johns eddy and biological implications. 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...

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