Please note that this is a staging site.
DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052233
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 218, September 2015

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line cruise was conducted in September 2015 (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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14532023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 7 to 12 May 2015 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 41 stations were occupied along four transect lines on the west coast of South Africa and additional stations where a red tide was crossed. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) of Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, eleven stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML), two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay and eight stations along the Scarborough Monitoring Line (SCL) of Cape Columbine. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14532023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 7 to 12 May 2015 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 41 stations were occupied along four transect lines on the west coast of South Africa and additional stations where a red tide was crossed. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) of Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, eleven stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML), two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay and eight stations along the Scarborough Monitoring Line (SCL) of Cape Columbine. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052232
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 216, May 2015

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 216, 06 to 15 May, 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 that South Africans can benefit from a healthy and...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14522023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 214, February 2015

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 16 to 24 February 2015 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 34 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa and additional stations where a red tide was crossed. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) of Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) and two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile INstrument for the Determination...

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.14522023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 214, February 2015

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 16 to 24 February 2015 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 34 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa and additional stations where a red tide was crossed. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) of Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) and two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile INstrument for the Determination...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14572023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 209, August 2014

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 7 to 12 August 2014 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 41 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa. Eight Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee monitoring line (KML) off Kleinsee, nine along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML), two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay, and ten stations along the Scarborough Monitoring Line (SCL) off Cape Columbine. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14572023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 209, August 2014

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 7 to 12 August 2014 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 41 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa. Eight Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee monitoring line (KML) off Kleinsee, nine along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML), two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay, and ten stations along the Scarborough Monitoring Line (SCL) off Cape Columbine. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 0,02% of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052226
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 209, August 2014

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted 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, preservation and conservation, so that South Africans can...

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.14562023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 202, September 2013

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 9 to 17 September 2013 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 34 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) off Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) and two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 100uL of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile INstrument for the Determination of Total inorganic carbon and titration Alkalinity...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.14562023
Processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 202, September 2013

This is processed Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) data from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise in the Southern Benguela (IEP-SB). The cruise took place from 9 to 17 September 2013 aboard the RV Algoa. A total of 34 stations were occupied along three transect lines on the west coast of South Africa. Ten Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) stations were occupied along the Kleinsee Monitoring Line (KML) off Kleinsee, ten along the Namaqua Monitoring Line (NML) of Namaqua, twelve stations along the St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) and two separate stations in the low oxygen zone in St Helena Bay. Discrete water samples were collected in 500ml Certified Reference Materials (CRM) bottles from Niskin bottles and spiked with 100uL of Mercuric chloride before being stored in the dark at room temperature for later analysis in the laboratory ashore using a Versatile INstrument for the Determination of Total inorganic carbon and titration Alkalinity...

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.24122022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 287, November 2022

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) November 2022 cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 287 in November 2022. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.23112022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 283, August 2022

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 283 in August 2022. 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.22112022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 282, May 2022

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 282 in May 2022. 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.01252023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 282, May 2022

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected on the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 282 between 10 May and 18 May 2022. 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 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.01252023
Processed underway Thermosalinograph (TSG) observations from the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 282, May 2022

Here we present the 6-second resolution processed Thermosalinograph (TSG) data collected on the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise on the Algoa Voyage 282 between 10 May and 18 May 2022. 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 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.21112022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 279, February 2022

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 279 in February 2022. 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.18112022
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 272, May 2021

This Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) May 2021 cruise was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 272 in May 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,...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052244
Transkei Shelf Oceanography Cruise on the Algoa Voyage 241, July 2017

The Transkei Shelf Oceanography Cruise was conducted on the Algoa V241, 12 July to 11 August, 2017. The area covered includes the Transkei shelf and continental slope (20m to 1000m), of the Eastern Cape, between Cape St Francis and Port Shepstone in the South-West Indian Ocean.Our knowledge of the distribution of offshore benthic biodiversity on the Transkei shelf is very limited. The region between Algoa Bay and Port Edward is not only important for understanding the functioning of existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) such as Pondoland, Dwesa-Cwebe, and the Amathole, but is of particular relevance to the new Operation Phakisa proposed MPA network that will potentially include additional MPAs such as the Protea Banks, Amathole Expansion, and the proposed Addo MPA. In addition, further knowledge is needed to support decision-making about the offshore extent of the Dwesa-Cwebe MPA. The oceanography in the form of water column and energy characteristics, circulation regimes and...

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.26052223
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 205, February 2014

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted 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.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052216
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Algoa Voyage 194, February 2013

The St Helena Bay Monitoring Line, which now falls under the Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela, was conducted on the Algoa Voyage 194, 11 to 15 February 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.

Geographic extent

Temporal extent