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DOI: 10.15493/SOMISANA.23042026
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SA-Southeast Hindcast V1.0

The SA-Southeast Hindcast V1.0 product provides a 10 year historical representation of the ocean state along the southeastern coast of South Africa centered around Algoa Bay. The model was developed using the Coastal and Regional Ocean COmmunity (CROCO) modelling system. The model curvilinear grid has a variable horizontal grid resolution (0.5 – 3 km) which increases toward the coast. The model has 30 terrain-following (sigma) vertical levels. Open boundary conditions for the model are obtained from GLORYS12V1. Surface forcing is interpolated from the 3 km resolution Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) product provided by the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG). Model bathymetry is interpolated from digital navigation charts provided by SANHO. This configuration does not include tides. The model configuration files can be found at the somisana-croco github repository using compile options in the `C01` directory in the provided link. NetCDF model output files are available as daily...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.40072024
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Physical Oceanography Gear Trials on the Africana Voyage 091, April 1991

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected, between 29 April and 30 April 1991, during voyage 091 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region 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.29072024
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 087, November 1990

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected, between 06 November and 30 November 1990, during voyage 087 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of Southern Africa and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) region on the south 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.27072024
Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 087, November 1990

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...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.28072024
Processed CTD continuous observations from the Pelagic Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 087, November 1990

Here we present processed downcast Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) continuous data collected, between 06 November and 30 November 1990, during voyage 087 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region on the west coast of Southern Africa and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) region on the south 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.41072024
Processed CTD discrete observations from the Physical Oceanography Gear Trials on the Africana Voyage 091, April 1991

Here we present processed Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) discrete data from the upcast collected, between 29 April and 30 April 1991, during voyage 091 on the FRS Africana, in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region 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.20240821
Raw data collected by Seaglider SG573 off Cape Town for CTD calibration (SeaTrials 2)

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...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052144
Gliders In the Agulhas (GINA) Seaglider project

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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.15292023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Sodwana Bay, 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.15242023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Xai-Xai, Mozambique

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Xai-Xai, Mozambique. 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.15382023
Long-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures at Port Nolloth, South Africa

Here we present a collection of raw and processed temperatures from Underwater Temperature Recorders (UTRs) located off Port Nolloth, 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.26052203
Marion Island Relief Voyage on the MV SA Agulhas II Voyage 019, April 2016

The Marion Island Relief Voyage was conducted on the MV S. A. Agulhas II Voyage 019, 7 April to 16 May 2016. The 2016 Marion Relief Voyage 019 offered the 4th opportunity to conduct multi-disciplinary, ship-based 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 (CCAMLR), and the Agreement on the...

DOI: 10.15493/dea.mims.26052241
Integrated Ecosystem Programme cruise: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on the Algoa Voyage 232, November 2016

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme (IEP) cruise: Southern Benguela was conducted 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.26052238
Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela (IEP:SB) on Algoa Voyage 229, August 2016

The Integrated Ecosystem Programme: Southern Benguela was conducted on the 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.09022026
Behavioural responses of Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus to swim-with-seal tourism activities in the Robberg Marine Protected Area in South Africa

Behavioural changes are often regarded as a key indicator of the effect of human disturbances on animals, and responses are commonly used as indices of disturbances. Tourism is an increasingly common source of disturbance to wild animals, including marine mammals. Swim-with-seals (SWS) tourism is an emerging industry that has grown in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. We studied behavioural impacts of SWS in the Robberg Marine Protected Area (Western Cape, South Africa) on the adjacent Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus colony through a modified Before-After-Control- Impact (BACI) behavioural study designed for simultaneous observations of impact and control sites (site factor) and before, during and after SWS activities (phase factor). Elevated observations were carried out at distances from the sites using sequential photography of the colony to enumerate seals in different behavioural categories, allowing comparisons between sites and between...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.08092025
Benthic‑bycatch dataset from Prince Edward and Marion Islands longline fisheries (2009‑2023)

This dataset presents a time series of benthic invertebrate bycatch records collected during pelagic longline fishing operations targeting Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in the Prince Edward Islands region of the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean from 2009 to 2023. The data were obtained from independent scientific observers aboard commercial vessels in accordance with Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Conservation Measure 22-06, which mandates the reporting of taxa associated with Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). Each record includes an entry number, observer segment unique identifier, vessel unique identifier, observer logbook number, year the record was collected, line segment number, taxonomic code as given in 2009 CCAMLR VME guide, associated taxonomic name, bycatch weight at random segments per fishing line/set, gear type used, number of fishing hooks used at the specific segment, and anonymous vessel number. The...

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.30042025
Short-term observations of currents and sub-surface temperatures at the Walters Shoal, May 2014

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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.29112024
Short-term observations of currents and sub-surface temperatures on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa

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 95m, 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.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.37112024
Short-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa (December 2013 - September 2014)

Between 2013 and 2014, a short-term mooring deployment was conducted to determine the oceanographic characteristics and variability of Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa. One mooring (PJ) was deployed, at a depth of 90m, 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 hourly bottom temperatures (85 m) from an ADCP at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, between December 2013 and September 2014.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.36112024
Short-term observations of daily bottom temperatures on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa (December 2013 - September 2014)

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 90m, 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 daily bottom temperatures (85 m) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, between December 2013 and September 2014.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.35112024
Short-term observations of hourly bottom temperatures 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 of Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa. One mooring (PJ) was deployed, at a depth of 95m, 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 hourly bottom temperatures (90 m) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, between July 2013 and December 2013.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.34112024
Short-term observations of daily bottom temperatures 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 95m, 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 daily bottom temperatures (90 m) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, between July 2013 and December 2013.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.33112024
Short-term observations of hourly currents on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa (December 2013 - September 2014)

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 90m, 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 hourly currents throughout the water column (4.24 - 90.24 m) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at location PJ (31.73°S; 29.51°E) on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, between December 2013 and September 2014.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.32112024
Short-term observations of daily currents on the continental shelf off Port St Johns, along the east coast of South Africa (December 2013 - September 2014)

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 90m, 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 (4.24 - 90.24 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 December 2013 and September 2014.

DOI: 10.15493/DEA.MIMS.31112024
Short-term observations of hourly 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 95m, 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 hourly 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 continental shelf off Port St Johns, between July 2013 and December 2013.

Geographic extent

Temporal extent