Please note that this is a staging site.

Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) (822)

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.31042025
Short-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at the Walters Shoal, southwest Indian Ocean at location WSS01 (29 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.78072024
Short-term observations of currents and sub-surface temperatures on the continental shelf and slope along the KwaZulu-Natal Bight, along the east coast of South Africa (project period 2009-2013)

The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) III project on Ecosystem Processes in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Bight, jointly funded by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), with collaborative support from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was conducted from 2009 to 2013, in order to improve our understanding of the drivers of ecological functioning and biodiversity of the KZN Bight. This multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary project included various deployments of moored Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and thermistor arrays, satellite drifter deployments, dedicated ship-based surveys from the RS Algoa and FRS Africana, including sampling of physical and chemical parameters, as well as phyto- and zooplankton, and benthic communities.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.26052050
Long-term moored observations from the eastern part of the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Basin-wide Array (SAMBA)

Here we present long-term observations from the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Basin-wide Array (SAMBA) transect in the Cape Basin region along 34.5°S. SAMBA forms part of the South African component of the International South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation project (SAMOC-SA), which 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.

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052252
Sardine, Hake, and Anchovy Recruitment Programme (SHARP) / St. Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 108, March 2012

This Sardine, Hake, and Anchovy Recruitment Programme (SHARP)/St. Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 108 from 19 to 23 March, 2012. SHARP: At the initiation of the original SARP project the operational objective was to investigate variability in the transport of clupeiod eggs and larvae by the Benguela jet current from the south coast spawning grounds to the west coast nursery area as this would impact recruitment, thereby influencing the abundance of pelagic resources. To date 17 years worth of data have been collected on a transect perpendicular to the coast off Slangkop, the SARP line. Many valuable conclusions have been drawn using the information. Though the SARP line has contributed to its initial goal, the wealth of data and knowledge accumulated over the years suggests it is time for a revamp and extension of the SARP line. The idea is to strengthen the sampling strategy to include a more comprehensive experimental design...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000010
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 105, January 2012

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 105 in January 2012. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.250121-12
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 097, September 2011

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzowayo Voyage 097 in September 2011. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26000011
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 085, March 2011

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 085 in March 2011. 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.26000013
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St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 057, March 2010

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 057 in March 2010. 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.26000014
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 037, April 2009

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 037 in April 2009. 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.26000002
No Download
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 005, January 2008

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 005 in January 2008. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.250121-7
St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 001, September 2007

This St Helena Bay Monitoring Line (SHBML) cruise was conducted on the Ellen Kuzwayo Voyage 001 in September 2007. 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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052313
Unusual mortality events of whales of the genus Kogia along the South African coastline between 2010 and 2020

This report provides stranding trends of whales (genus Kogia) for the areas between Strandfontein on the West Coast and Grootbrak River on the South Coast of South Africa between 2010 and 2020 for the benefit of Municipalities, Scientists and Managers. The report is a product of Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) marine mammal health monitoring efforts under the title: "Long-term monitoring of the effects of environmental changes and humans activities on the health and conservation of marine mammals (i.e. Strandings, Bycatch, Marine Debris, Fisheries Interactions, Pollution, etc.)"

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.07712023
A 2022 update to trends of seabirds and seals in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape

This report provides an update on the trends for seals and seabirds in Saldanha Bay for the year 2022. The Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem is home to various endemic seabirds and a single species of fur seal, exclusive to the southern African region (South Africa, Namibia, and Angola). The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has been conducting extensive monitoring of population trends, diet, and foraging behaviour of multiple seabird species. The objective is to gather valuable insights into crucial distribution areas and identify key prey species.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.07702023
Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) pup trends at breeding colonies within the proposed Sandveld Coastal Complex Protected Area Management Plan

This report focuses on the trends of Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) pups within the proposed Sandveld Coastal Complex (SCC) Protected Area Management Plan at various breeding colonies. CapeNature is currently in the process of developing a Management Plan for the Sandveld Coastal Complex (SCC) Protected Area, in compliance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003). The SCC harbors significant breeding sites for Cape fur seals at Elephant Rock, Paternoster Rocks, Penguin (Bird) Island-Lambert’s Bay, and Jacobs Rock (also known as Jacob’s Reef).

(No DOI)
State of the ocean and coasts around South Africa 2016 report card

Please note that the contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This report is compiled primarily by staff within the Chief Directorate: Oceans and Coasts Research that resides within the Branch: Oceans and Coasts. Contributors from outside the Department are acknowledged. The Branch maintains and seeks to grow human capacity and infrastructure in all aspects of marine sciences towards improving understanding and management of marine ecosystems. In this report, DEA provides updated information on the status of some parameters for South Africa’s oceans and coasts, ranging from chemical and physical properties to biological assessments. These have been selected as potentially-useful indicators of the change, health and management of South Africa’s marine ecosystems. The format of this report card is aimed at providing a brief overview of the research and monitoring...

(No DOI)
State of the oceans around South Africa: 2014

Please note that the contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. A series of reports on State of the Oceans around South Africa, produced by Branch Oceans and Coasts of South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs, was introduced in December 2006. The reports initially considered environmental parameters for the purposes of establishing general principles, such as annual cycles, and long-term trends, which may provide insight into the local effects of global warming and climate change. The reports were intended to provide an overview of marine environmental conditions that prevailed during the preceding year, which may be of relevance to the management of South Africa’s marine and coastal resources and infrastructure. To this end, use was made of data from a variety of sources, including websites, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, coastal and...

(No DOI)
State of the oceans around South Africa: 2012

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record.This series of internal annual reports was introduced in December 2006 for purposes of establishing general principles (such as annual cycles) and long-term trends (which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change). The reports are also intended to provide an overview of marine environmental conditions prevailing during the preceding year, which may be of relevance to the management of South Africa’s marine and coastal resources. To this end, use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sites, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, coastal and moored instruments, and...

(No DOI)
State of the oceans around South Africa: December 2011

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This series of informal biannual reports was introduced in December 2006 for purposes of establishing general principles (such as annual cycles), long-term trends (which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change), and to provide an overview of recent marine environmental conditions which may be of relevance to the management of South African marine resources. To this end use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, coastal- and moored instruments and research cruises, and inherent to all of these there is an...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment around South Africa: July 2010

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This series of informal biannual reports was introduced in December 2006 for purposes of establishing general principles (such as annual cycles), long-term trends (which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change), and to provide an overview of recent marine environmental conditions which may be of relevance to the management of South African marine resources. To this end use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, coastal- and moored instruments and research cruises, and inherent to all of these there is an...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment off South Africa: December 2006

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This is the first in a new series of informal reports intended to provide an overview of marine environmental conditions off South Africa and it is envisaged that as from 2007 two reports will be produced per year, one in June and one in December. The current report - as will be the case with future issues - is based on data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, MCM's coastal and moored instruments and MCM's research cruises and inherent to all of these there is an inevitable lag between the time of data capture and the time when the data first become available...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment off South Africa: December 2007

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This is the third in a series of informal biannual reports introduced in December 2006, intended to provide an overview of marine environmental conditions off South Africa. The reports are based on data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, MCM's coastal and moored instruments and MCM's research cruises and inherent to all of these there is an inevitable lag between the time of data capture and the time when the data first become available for use. The lags are all different. For example, wind data from the Cape Point lighthouse is updated monthly, the moored...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment around South Africa: December 2010

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This series of informal biannual reports was introduced in December 2006 for purposes of establishing general principles (such as annual cycles), long-term trends (which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change), and to provide an overview of recent marine environmental conditions which may be of relevance to the management of South African marine resources. To this end use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, coastal- and moored instruments and research cruises, and inherent to all of these there is an...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment off South Africa: July 2009

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This is the sixth in a series of informal biannual reports introduced in December 2006, with the intention to establish general principles (such as annual cycles), long-term trends (which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change), and to provide an overview of recent marine environmental conditions which may be of relevance to the management of South African marine resources. To this end use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, MCM's coastal- and moored instruments and MCM's research cruises, and inherent to all...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment off South Africa: December 2008

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This is the fifth in a series of informal biannual reports introduced in December 2006, with the intention to establish general principles, such as annual cycles, long-term trends which may provide insight into local effects of global warming and climate change, and to provide an overview of recent marine environmental conditions which may be of relevance to the management of South African marine resources. To this end use is made of data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, MCM's coastal- and moored instruments and MCM's research cruises, and inherent to all of...

(No DOI)
State of the marine environment off South Africa: July 2008

Please note: 1. This report has not been peer-reviewed; 2. The conditions of use outlined in the report are superseded by the conditions specified by the License field in this metadata record; 3. The contact information included in the report is superseded by the contact information that can be found in the Responsible Parties field of this metadata record. This is the fourth in a series of informal biannual reports introduced in December 2006, intended to provide an overview of marine environmental conditions off South Africa. The reports are based on data from a variety of sources, including web sources, satellite sensors, the South African Weather Service, MCM's coastal and moored instruments and MCM's research cruises and inherent to all of these there is an inevitable lag between the time of data capture and the time when the data first become available for use. The lags are all different. For example, wind data from the Cape Point lighthouse is updated monthly, the moored...

Geographic extent

Temporal extent