| Title | Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 087, November 1990 |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Hampton, Ian |
| Publisher | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2026) |
| Contributors |
Contact Person: Tutt, Gavin |
| Abstract | The Pelagic Biomass Survey was conducted on the Africana Voyage 087 from 06 - 30 November 1990. The objectives of the cruise were to obtain an estimation of the biomass and population structure of anchovy, pilchard and round herring off South Africa by means of echo-integration and midwater trawling; estimation of anchovy biomass by means of the egg production method; description of distribution and behaviour patterns of commercially harvested epi-pelagic and meso-pelagic fish, and the influence of oceanographic variables on these; collection of biological data on reproduction, condition and diet of pelagic fish species; examination of the distribution, abundance and production of zooplankton in relation to the environment, and to pelagic fish distribution, condition, diet and spawning activity; profiling of currents by means of the acoustic doppler current profiler; investigation into the feasibility of assessing inshore squid biomass acoustically, and of mapping the distribution of squid eggs and larvae. |
| Methods | A multidisciplinary survey was conducted aboard Africana Voyage 087 in November 1990. Pelagic fish biomass and structure were estimated using hydroacoustics (echo-integration) calibrated with midwater trawls, with anchovy biomass additionally assessed using the egg production method. Biological, zooplankton, and oceanographic data (including ADCP current profiles) were collected to examine species distribution, behaviour, and environmental influences. Exploratory acoustic and plankton sampling methods were used to assess squid biomass and early life-stage distribution. |
| Data | |
| Temporal extent | 06 Nov 1990 – 30 Nov 1990 |
| Geographic extent |
Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem and Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystems
North: -30.0 |
| Keywords | BIOSPHERE , MARINE ECOSYSTEMS , OCEANS , SOUTH-EAST ATLANTIC OCEAN , SOUTH-WEST INDIAN OCEAN |
| Related resources |
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