DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.30112024
Short-term observations of daily currents on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa (July 2013 - December 2013)

Between 2013 and 2014, a short-term mooring deployment was conducted to determine the oceanographic characteristics and variability off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa. One mooring (PJ) was deployed, at a depth of 95 m, between July 2013 and September 2014. This mooring measured currents, as well as sub-surface bottom temperatures on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, on the east coast of South Africa. Here we present processed magnitude and direction of daily currents throughout the water column (2 - 86 m) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the inner shelf off Port St Johns, between July 2013 and December 2013.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.09852023
Southern Ocean Seasonal Experiment 2022 (SCALE-WIN22) on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 053, July 2022

This cruise, conducted on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 053 in July 2022, was included as a final component of the SCALE programme (Southern oCean seAsonaL Experiment, https://scale.org.za), a bottom-up endeavour of the SA scientific community to address the limited multidisciplinary knowledge on the seasonal cycle of the Southern Ocean. The seasonal cycle is an important mode of variability that couples the physical mechanisms of climate forcing to ecosystem response in phytoplankton diversity, primary production, and carbon export. Model simulations of the Southern Hemisphere tend to misestimate the magnitude and miss the timing of the Southern Ocean seasonal cycle both in terms of the seasonality of surface ocean warming and cooling, sea ice advancement/retreat, carbon dioxide exchanges and simulated primary production. Our capability to predict the ongoing shifts and future responses is therefore limited. This drives the need for more physical and biogeochemical data sets that...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.05292023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the South Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 063, May 1988

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 10 May and 03 June 1988, during the South Coast Hake Biomass Cruise on the Africana Voyage 063, 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 objective of the cruise was to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake, sole and other trawl target species; to investigate the environment and interrelationships of hake and other demersal species in various depth strata; to study demersal community relationships; to investigate the occurence, distribution and abundance of squid; to...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.09942023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 262, August 2019

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data between 13 August 2019 and 19 August 2019 during the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the RS Algoa Voyage 262. A SeaBird SBE45 TSG is used to opportunistically collect underway near-surface temperature and conductivity measurements during research and monitoring cruises. Water is continuously pumped to the TSG from an intake located in the hull of the vessel, and the observations are continuously interfaced with navigational information. A temperature sensor close to the intake provides temperature measurements of the incoming water (T1). The temperature of the water inside the conductivity cell (T2) is used to accurately compute salinity (S) from the conductivity measurements (C). The programme is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional platform undertaking relevant science in the Southern Benguela; it also functions as a platform for collaboration and learning. All...

(No DOI)
Raw SADCP data from the Walters Shoal Cruise on Algoa Voyage 207, May 2014

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

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15222023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Paternoster, South Africa

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Paternoster, South Africa. At selected sites around Southern Africa, UTRs have been used to obtain long-term records of bottom temperatures in the nearshore environment, at depths ranging from 2m to 34m.

(No DOI)
Raw TSG data from the Walters Shoal Cruise on Algoa Voyage 207, May 2014

This is raw Thermosalinograph (TSG) 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.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052242
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Cape Canyon Exploration Cruise: Southern Benguela in the South-East Atlantic Ocean on the Algoa Voyage 236, March 2017

This Cape Canyon Exploration Cruise: Southern Benguela in the South-East Atlantic Ocean was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 236 from the 06 to 30 March, 2017. The overall aim of this Cape Canyon exploration project is to initiate multi-discplinary and integrated benthic ecosystem process studies within DEA:OCR, in collaboration with external experts (South African National Biodiversity Institute, South African Environmental Observations Network, Council for GeoScience and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). Objectives include the collection of basic physical, chemical, biological and oceanographic data that will enable the understanding of the environment of the canyon and an assessment of the spatial distibution of benthic species.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15492023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Knysna, South Africa

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Knysna, South Africa. At selected sites around Southern Africa, UTRs have been used to obtain long-term records of bottom temperatures in the nearshore environment, at depths ranging from 2m to 34m.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20112022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 277, November 2021

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 277 in November 2021. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Kleinsee, Namaqualand, Elands/St Helena Bay and Scarborough on the west coast of South Africa. 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 the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern Benguela. These include physical, chemical, planktonic, microbial, seabird, marine mammal, benthic and pollution (plastic) ecosystem indicators as required by ecosystem-based management regarding the following priorities: ocean warming, ocean acidification, trophic...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14822023
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 293, August 2023

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 293 in August 2023. This programme serves as a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional platform aimed at conducting scientific research in the Southern Benguela region. It also fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange. The primary objective is to develop ecosystem indicators—physical, chemical, planktonic, microbial, seabird, and benthic—that can be utilised for effective monitoring and ecosystem-based management.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.29062025
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Marion Island Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 011, April 2014

Here we present the 6 second resolution processed TSG data collected between 02 April 2014 and 06 May 2014, during Voyage 011 on the SA Agulhas II. 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).

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052159
Processed Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts collected during the 2019 Marion Relief Voyage on SA Agulhas Voyage 036

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. Here we present 57 processed XBT casts collected along the Crossroads Transect, between 10 May 2019 and 14 May 2019, during the 2019 Marion Relief Voyage.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.20210420
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from SA Agulhas II Voyage 037, July 2019

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 01 July 2019 and 11 July 2019, during Voyage 037 on the SA Agulhas II.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.250121-2
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Africana Voyage 169, September 2002

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 169 in September 2002. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.04332023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the South Coast Hake Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 048, September 1986

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 12 September and 03 October 1986, during the South Coast Hake Biomass Cruise on the Africana Voyage 048, in the southern part of the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) on the south 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 objective of the cruise was to survey by means of trawling the abundance of adult and recruiting hake, sole and other trawl target species; an investigation of the environment and interrelationships of hake and other demersal species in various depth strata; to investigate the occurence, distribution and abundance of squid and squid larvae; and to investigate the occurence of linefish species in shallow waters.

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

Raw Shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (SADCP) 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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01292023
Processed near-surface underway temperature and salinity (TSG) observations from the South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 005, December 2012

Here we present the 10-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected between 07 December 2012 and 19 February 2013, during the South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 005. 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 South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) is an annual cruise undertaken by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.26122022
West Coast Physical Oceanography on the Africana Voyage 025, October 1984

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 for analysis by M.J. Orren on routine CTD casts; a line of six coastal CTD stations was to be worked in the Hondeklipbaai upwelling tongue; the surface flow over the 1000m contour was to be studied using an acoustic drifter and samples were to be taken at various CTD stations for nitrogen cycling studies.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000015
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Africana Voyage 189, February 2004

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Africana Voyage 189 in February 2004. This is a long-term monitoring line conducted off the coast of Elands/St Helena Bay on the west coast of South Africa. SHBML started in 2000 as a BENEFIT-driven project on "shipboard monitoring" which linked with similar lines run in Namibia and Angola. The aims were to obtain seasonal and interannual information on the hydrology and productivity of the area. It was incorporated under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) in 2013 consolidating a long-term, multi-decadal time-series (from 1951 onward) of information for this important region and has continued monitoring in the form of the IEP:SB. The programme is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and capacity building platform undertaking relevant science, including updating technology, with the aim to develop ecosystem indicators that can be used to effectively monitor and understand the Southern...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20240817
Raw CTD data collected to support calibration of Seaglider SG573 during GINA 2018 (Cast 3)

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 CTD data collected to support...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052148
Seaglider test data collected during GINA 2017 by Seaglider SG574 in Cape Town harbour

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). Ocean gliders are robotic platforms operated and piloted from land. The Seaglider during GINA 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 Seaglider data, collected outside of Cape Town Harbour, used...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14962023
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Pelagic Fish Spawner Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 117, November 1993

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected between 09 November and 04 December 1993 during Voyage 117 on the FRS Africana, in the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosysten (ACLME) region on the south coast of Southern Africa and the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) 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.15312023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. At selected sites around Southern Africa, UTRs have been used to obtain long-term records of bottom temperatures in the nearshore environment, at depths ranging from 2m to 34m.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14972023
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Pelagic Fish Spawner Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 117, November 1993

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected between 09 November and 04 December 1993 during Voyage 117 on the FRS Africana, in the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) region on the south coast of Southern Africa and the Benguela Current Large Marine ecosystem (BCLME) 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.

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Temporal extent