Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) (180)

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.12642023
Cape Canyon Benthic Invertebrates Tissue samples

Submarine canyons are heterogeneous environments known to support a variety of benthic organisms, and often considered biodiversity hotspots. Canyon morphological features facilitate the funneling of organic matter to the seabed, making them significant hubs of food resources for benthic life. In light of this, the DFFE: Oceans and Coasts initiative undertook the collection of benthic tissue data aimed at understanding how hydrography affects food availability for benthic species within and surrounding the Cape Canyon. This effort involved examining 15 stations, comprising six within the canyon and nine outside it, leading to the identification of six distinct trophic groups.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.36042025
Short-term observations of daily currents at the Walters Shoal, southwest Indian Ocean at location WSS01 (30 May 2014 - 02 August 2015)

The Walters Shoal project, part of the broader African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP III), conducted an oceanographic and biological survey of the Walters Shoal, a shallow seamount in the southwest Indian Ocean, in order to understand the biodiversity and ecological processes occurring on this unique seamount. The project used a multidisciplinary approach that included the sampling of sponge fauna, fish populations, and oceanographic conditions. Oceanographic data (including moored ADCP data, CTD profiles, as well as underway S-ADCP and TSG data) was collected to understand the circulation patterns and hydrography that could influence the biological communities on the seamount. Here, we present the moored ADCP data that was collected to determine currents and sub-surface temperatures. Two ADCP moorings were deployed, one on the northern part and the other on the southern part of Walters Shoal, at depths of 500m, between May 2014 and August 2015. Here we present processed...

(No DOI)
Chl-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 205 from 03 to 22 February 2014

First look at Chl-a data from a survey of West Coast of South Africa, Algoa Voyage 205, as part of the Integrated Ecosystem Programme.

(No DOI)
First look at Chl-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 223, February 2016

This is pre-processed chla 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.

(No DOI)
Raw SDS data from the Marion Island Annual Relief Voyage on the SA Agulhas II Voyage 024, April 2017

This is raw Scientific Data System (SDS) data from the Marion Island Annual Relief Voyage on the MV SA Agulhas II Voyage 024, 06 April to 12 May 2017. The 2017 Marion Relief Voyage offered the fifth 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20240820
Raw data collected by Seaglider SG573 off Cape Town for CTD calibration (SeaTrials 1)

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...

(No DOI)
Pre-processed Chl-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on RV Algoa Voyage 229, August 2016

Chl 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.

(No DOI)
Pre-processed Chl-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 232, November 2016

This is chl-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme (IEP) cruise: Southern Benguela on the Algoa V232, 15 - 26 November, 2016. 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.38042025
Short-term observations of daily currents at the Walters Shoal, southwest Indian Ocean at location WSN01 (26 May 2014 - 01 August 2015)

The Walters Shoal project, part of the broader African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP III), conducted an oceanographic and biological survey of the Walters Shoal, a shallow seamount in the southwest Indian Ocean, in order to understand the biodiversity and ecological processes occurring on this unique seamount. The project used a multidisciplinary approach that included the sampling of sponge fauna, fish populations, and oceanographic conditions. Oceanographic data (including moored ADCP data, CTD profiles, as well as underway S-ADCP and TSG data) was collected to understand the circulation patterns and hydrography that could influence the biological communities on the seamount. Here, we present the moored ADCP data that was collected to determine currents and sub-surface temperatures. Two ADCP moorings were deployed, one on the northern part and the other on the southern part of Walters Shoal, at depths of 500m, between May 2014 and August 2015. Here we present processed...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.32042025
Short-term observations of daily bottom temperatures at the Walters Shoal, southwest Indian Ocean at location WSS01 (30 May 2014-01 August 2015)

The Walters Shoal project, part of the broader African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP III), conducted an oceanographic and biological survey of the Walters Shoal, a shallow seamount in the southwest Indian Ocean, in order to understand the biodiversity and ecological processes occurring on this unique seamount. The project used a multidisciplinary approach that included the sampling of sponge fauna, fish populations, and oceanographic conditions. Oceanographic data (including moored ADCP data, CTD profiles, as well as underway S-ADCP and TSG data) was collected to understand the circulation patterns and hydrography that could influence the biological communities on the seamount. Here, we present the moored ADCP data that was collected to determine currents and sub-surface temperatures. Two ADCP moorings were deployed, one on the northern part and the other on the southern part of Walters Shoal, at depths of 500m, between May 2014 and August 2015. Here we present processed...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20240813
Raw data collected during GINA 2018 by Seaglider SG573 during 1st deployment

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 during GINA 2018 by...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.05322023
Benthic invertebrate presence data, in and around the Cape Canyon (Southern Benguela Upwelling region)

Canyon research is still an emergent field in South Africa and the true potential of canyons as biodiversity hotspots has seldom been studied in an integrated context. In response to this, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans and Coasts collected benthic data to better understand benthic species profiles within and around the Cape Canyon. This equated to 39 stations (whereby 13 were canyon and 26 non-canyon) and yielded 180 species.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.20240815
Raw Sloccum data collected during GINA 2018

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 Sloccum data collected during GINA 2018.

(No DOI)
Processed chlorophyll-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 239, May 2017

This is processed chlorophyll-a data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) onboard the Algoa Voyage 239 (ALG239) from 22 to 29 May 2017. This 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.605204
Analysed Nutrient data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 239, May 2017

Nutrient data for the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB): May 2017 from all stations.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.26052254
Winter Shakedown Cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 003, July 2012

The Winter Shakedown Cruise was conducted on the SA Agulhas II, Voyage 003, 9 July to 6 August, 2012. The cruise started in Cape Town and went down to the GoodHope Line then up to the Prince Edward Islands, on to Port Elizabeth and then back to Cape Town. After the arrival of SA Agulhas II back to South Africa, an inaugural Southern Ocean cruise was undertaken, which included a multidisciplinary program to measure oceanographic and biological parameters that characterise the state of the Southern Ocean in the region of interest to South Africa, along with the ecosystem properties of the major gyres, frontal systems and shelf and plateau areas. Additionally, land-based research on marine mammals and seabirds was undertaken at South Africa’s Prince Edward Islands (PEIs). The aim of the cruise was to test the research vessels capability and its equipment and to increase our understanding with regard to the influences of oceanographic conditions (specifically eddies) and topography on...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052268
International Indian Ocean Expedition 2 (IIOE2) cruise on SA Agulhas II Voyage 032, June 2018

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.

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...

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.605208
Analysed Nitrate isotope data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP: SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 239, May 2017

Nitrate isotope data for the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB): May 2017. 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.605206
Analysed Nutrient data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 244, November 2017

Nutrient data for the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP: SB): Nov 2017 from all stations. 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 patterns. 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.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.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.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...

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Temporal extent