Xolelwa Mbuyephi

Bernard Mackenzie

Mr Johnson

Mandela Day 2011

Mandela Day is celebrated world-wide and is aimed at inspiring individuals to take action and help change the world for the better. One of the core values of The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) is recognising people as the greatest strength and assert of the institution. To contribute to Mandela Day, SAIAB staff, students and interns made a pot of soup and bread which were donated together with vegetables, fruit, bowls and spoons to the Makanaskop Old Age home. A needy old age home run buy the residents pension fund. The residents and staff of the home were extremely grateful for the donations. One of the old ladies kept at the home praise sang and danced expressing gratitude to SAIAB for making a difference in the home.

Mysterious oarfish washed ashore

Seldom seen, the rare, elongated oarfish, measuring between 3-8 meters from nose to tail, is a likely source of myths about sea serpents. Recently, a 4m long specimen was found washed up at Bokkomsbaai in the Western Cape by a commercial fisherman, Keith Boas. This ribbon-shaped, brilliant silver fish which has irregular blackish streaks and spots on its body and crimson dorsal and pelvic fins, is seldom seen far from the deep sea and is believed to be the longest bony fish in the ocean.

After it was found, the fish was taken to Fransmanshoek Conservancy at Vleesbaai for safe keeping where Ricco Menezies and colleagues from Cape Nature in Stilbaai maintained it in excellent condition. It was cleaned and blast frozen at Viking Fisheries and thereafter transported to the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Grahamstown for preservation. SAIAB is a Research Facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

SAIAB’s Senior Aquatic Biologist, Roger Bills, injects formalin into the flesh of the oarfish to speed up the preservation process and ensure that the internal tissues and organs are ‘fixed’ so that they do not decay.

“These fishes are seldom caught and they are mostly seen when washed ashore,” said Dr Stephen Lamberth, Inshore Resources Researcher from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. They are found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. They live in deep water and are rarely seen.

Unlike other fishes, the oarfish keeps its body straight and swims vertically in the water column. This movement makes it easier to spot prey silhouetted against the light from the surface. “They are a mystery to scientists and are commonly found to depths of 100metres and more where they feed on crustaceans and fish larvae,” added Lamberth.

On its arrival, the 4metre long deep water fish provided hours of fascination for curious SAIAB and the Department of Ichthyology and Fishery Sciences (DIFS) staff and students from Rhodes University. SAIAB and DIFS maintain strong relations as a large number of DIFS students are supervised by SAIAB.

The fish is soaked in a bath of 10% formalin to be disinfected and ‘fixed’. This retards decomposition. With large specimens such as this, formalin is also injected into the flesh to ensure that the internal tissues and organs are also fixed and do not decay.  Once fully ‘fixed’ the specimen will be thoroughly rinsed and transferred into a storage bin containing ethyl alcohol. The SAIAB Collection has five other specimens of this species dating back to 1966. Tissue samples taken from the oarfish will be stored in SAIAB’s Biomaterials Bank for DNA sequencing. The oarfish specimen will be stored in SAIAB’s Collection Facility and will be used for research. This state-of-the-art storage facility is specially designed for the long-term preservation of aquatic specimens.

Amazing experience for Aspiring Scientists

In theory, practice is simple; however is it simple to practise theory? Students attending SAIAB’s 2011 Aquatic Biodiversity Course (Winter School) were exposed to some of the best aquatic scientists nationally and internationally, exploring theory and practise and its relation to the aquatic environment.

2011 Winter School Students 

Situated in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) holds an annual Aquatic Biodiversity Course. In previous years it was targeted at postgraduate students. However for 2011 it focused on undergraduates, exposing them to diverse career paths within the aquatic environment so they can make informed choices about the areas they would like to pursue for postgraduate studies. Attendees represented Rhodes University (RU), University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and four DST/NRF interns based at SAIAB.

SAIAB is an internationally recognised study of aquatic biodiversity and the four day course introduced the participants to biological diversity, taxonomy and systematics in freshwater, estuarine and marine environments through lectures, practicals, workshops as well as field work. In addition they were provided with basic information on how to use the specialist Margaret Smith Library, the Collections Management Centre including preservation and storage techniques, management of biodiversity information through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data bases. On the final day of the course they attended an interactive workshop on communicating science which highlighted the importance of effective communication of research in developing public awareness of science.

While presenting a lecture in Estuarine Ichthyology SAIAB’s Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Whitfield encouraged the students to find a research project that interests them. He went on to emphasize that one does not have to be a top scholar to become a Marine Biologist but as one progresses and enjoys the project one can become successful and eventually attain high marks.

For most students, the field trip was the highlight of the course because it demonstrated practically what scientists do in the field and the process of collecting sample fish species. “Through this field trip I have learned the importance of estuaries and that they need to be conserved for human sustainability,” said Peet Botes, B. Tech student from NMMU George Campus. Nkoliso Magona, third year Biological Science student from WSU had never been to an estuary to collect fish and this course provided him with the opportunity to see how science physically happens in the field.

While most of the students were enthusiastic about the field trip, Aviwe Matiwane, also a third year from WSU, enjoyed the session on Systematics and Taxonomy. “It was challenging but fun, especially identifying fish fossils,” she said.

Winter School students on the field

SAIAB is in the process of establishing an Aquatic Biodiversity Student Network for students throughout South Africa who are involved in aquatic biodiversity studies. Winter School students were encouraged to join this network. This linkage will allow students the platform to network with each other and the international aquatic biodiversity community. It is mainly aimed at informing postgraduate students about SAIAB’s research programmes, encourage students to align their research with SAIAB’s programmes, stimulate and promote interactions among graduate students and between students and senior scientists in aquatic biodiversity research.  It will further provide a network through which graduate students can feel comfortable to share ideas, collaborate and develop a broader understanding of their own study areas in the wider context of conservation biology, ecological research, molecular biology and systematics. The network will inform graduate students of career opportunities as they become available, and get graduate students excited about the fact that they will become the next generation of aquatic biodiversity research. Their research will pave the way to improved biodiversity management policies and protection of our environment for future generations. Winter school candidates were very interested and enthusiastic about joining this network as they could network and learn from each other.

Refiloe Mofokeng is an Msc Zoology student specialising in eco-toxicity in UKZN, she describes her experience with Winter School as “amazing”. “Everybody was friendly, the reception was beautiful, and the level of motivation and communication exceeded my needs and expectations. I got all the information and contact with researchers I aspired to meet. The experience allowed me to see where South African scientists are standing in relation to other scientists internationally which was helpful for my research. It was good for networking as well because I acquired contact and advice from scientists on my current research project. The activities were fun, innovative, challenging and informative. It was a ‘worth it’ experience,” she concluded.

David Sandi receives a certificate for 15 Years of Service at SAIAB

Wendy Sweetman has been working at SAIAB for 21 years

NomaBongwe Magqaza - Information Technology Intern

Amanda Gura - Collections Intern

Samella Ngxande - Research Intern



Vuyokazi Sifunzana - Research Intern



Seven days of Science Extravaganza….



SAIAB Stall at Scifest Africa
with learners capturing information about the organisation

“Cleared and stained” - the chemistry behind the National Fish Collection was the focus of SAIAB’s exhibition at this year’s Scifest Africa. This national science extravaganza was held in Grahamstown from 4-10 May 2011. Well attended by learners, students, teachers, scientists and anyone with a passion for science, it provided them all the opportunity to interact with and understand the diversity of science.

Themed “Science across Cultures,” the festival looked at what makes us human, what makes us different, the universality of science, the contribution of different cultures (past and present) to the development of modern science and highlighted the contribution indigenous knowledge systems make to mankind.

SAIAB participated in this seven day festival and showcased the chemistry behind the curation procedures involved in conserving different aquatic specimens for future generations. The display reflected 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry and consisted of banners with in-depth information about the organisation and the collections facility, special specimens, and simple models of the atoms that bond to form the chemicals used to preserve fishes and other aquatic organisms. A competition for learners with inquisitive minds was held which promoted their engagement with and awareness about SAIAB.

In addition, SAIAB ran apprenticeships throughout Scifest at which Grade 11 and 12 learners and members of the public had the opportunity to spend a morning at SAIAB for a hands-on experience of what scientists do in their day-to-day research. These apprenticeships included sessions on how to preserve fish and the different chemicals used in preservation, saving endangered species through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a day in the life of a research assistant.

Dr Gavin Gouws, Aquatic Biologist at SAIAB offered a session on the barcoding process, illustrating the DNA barcode and how it is generated in the laboratory, collection of data to accompany the barcode and the exploration of the barcoding database. SAIAB’s Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Whitfield took his group on a guided tour of the estuaries between the Great Fish and Kowie Rivers where the river meets the sea, highlighting the different types of estuaries and some of the animals and plants living in these specialized systems.



Competition draw


On the final day of Scifest, SAIAB’s Managing Director, Professor Paul Skelton, together with Ms Anja Fourie, Director, Scifest Africa, did the SAIAB competition draw. The winner was Litha Somdyala from Masixole Secondary School in Mdantsane. Somdyala will receive a hamper from SAIAB which consists of posters, booklets and two reference books which have been signed by the authors - A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa by Paul Skelton and the Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa by Phil and Elaine Heemstra.

Science Clubbing

“Get into your pockets, take out your keys and build your future towards science,” said Sivuyile Manxoyi of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, while motivating high school learners to enhance their science education whilst they are still young. Manxoyi is the champion of a movement to establish active and successful science clubs in schools around the country.

The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in collaboration with the Grahamstown District Office of the Eastern Cape Department of Education (DOE) invited Manxoyi and his colleague, Cedric Jacobs, to conduct a Science Club Workshop for learners from local schools in the Makana region who showed an interest in science.

Manxoyi and Jacobs addressed some 40 learner in Grade 11 at Graeme College about starting a science club at the school. Teacher, Rupert Jackson indicated that there was considerable interest among the boys to start such a club. Present at the two afternoon workshops at the District Offices of the DOE in Grahamstown were grade 10 to 12 learners from Hendrik Kanise School in Alicedale, Nathaniel Nyaluza High School, Ntsika Senior Secondary School, Mary Waters High School and Nombulelo Senior Secondary School. The reasoning behind the workshop is to equip these learners to go back to their schools and implement the skills learned to start science clubs. These clubs, based at the schools, are intended to provide opportunities for learners to explore science in interactive, fun, informative and challenging ways.

This initiative is the final activity of the SAIAB’s Bright Sparks Development Programme. This programme was developed in 2005 to identify learners who show talent and enthusiasm for science. It aimed to expose learners to careers in science and technology, encourage them to continue with science subjects at school and tertiary level and develop their skills, knowledge, values and attitudes.  In 2010 science kits were donated to the five schools represented at this year’s workshop as part of National Science Week. The workshop was a follow up to this to ensure that maximum use is made of the kits and optimum benefit derived from them for the whole school.

At the workshop the learners expressed that young people are not taking up science careers because “it’s too difficult…we are not exposed to science”. Manxoyi encouraged them to change their attitude “because when you start believing that you can master science then you will. Science clubs create a platform for the schools to work together and with other institutions such as Rhodes University and SAIAB where the learners can find resources, information, inspiration and role models.

At the workshop participants were taught the basics for starting a science club, where to position and locate them, their objectives, drawing up a science club constitution and publicising their club through social networking mediums such as facebook and blogs. Some of the activities that the learners enjoyed were games. One such game involved using a five litre bottle full of water and a three litre empty bottle. Out of that they were expected to produce a four litre bottle full of water. This activity was based on estimation and logic. A second game involved a cake which they were instructed to cut only three times to form eight pieces. The final game was to combine different coloured balloons to form atoms.

Learners from Mary Waters High School plan on doing activities for their science club and to invite other learners to join. They intend having an event for National Science Week 2011 to publicise their club. Ntsika SS and Nombulelo SS plan on peer tutouring one another as learners and further start a science club from there. Nathaniel Nyaluza High School launched their science club at a special event on Thursday 12 May 2011. The club joins a growing number of school science clubs country-wide. Present at this launch were science scholars from Nathaniel Nyaluza HS, Ntsika SS and Mary Waters HS representatives from the DOE, SAIAB and the Centre for Social Development (CSD) at Rhodes University. Sanele Ntshingana, Nathaniel Nyaluza Science Club President states that the club is interested in working closely with Rhodes University and establishing a partnership with the Dean of Sciences. They will have a monthly newsletter communicating all their activities.  More remote than the other schools, Hendrik Kanise learners in Alicedale will work closely with their teachers to develop a dynamic club that will create curiosity about science in other learners.

Mihlalikazi Swaartbooi, a grade 12 learner from Mary Waters, saw the workshop as very exciting especially the interactive games. “They help us communicate and interact with each other in the group. We learned to trust an each other’s opinion which teaches us interdependence,” she added. Banele Gojela a grade 12 learner from Hendrik Kanise enjoyed the water activity as it challenged them to think. Sanele Ntshingana shares Gojela’s sentiments, “It is a critical thinking weapon of science,” he said. The learners walked away from these workshops very enthusiastic and energised, feeling confident about establishing science clubs at their schools.

Working together for the benefit of our Marine Environments

Approximately 70% of earth’s surface is covered by oceans. Sustainable exploitation of marine resources needs the best science and technology available to establish efficient and sustainable environmental management. This is why research institutions such as SAIAB, which is a national scientific resource for knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity and functioning of globally significant aquatic ecosystems, participate in conferences such as the Southern African Marine Science Symposium. Held every three years, this gathering of scientists from all over the world results in new knowledge of and unexpected benefits for marine environments.

SAIAB students and Aquatic Biologist Dr David Gows

The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) recently helped convene the 14th Southern African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) with the Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA). ECSA publishes the well-known and highly respected journal, Estuarine, Coastal & Shelf Science, and each year organises one international conference. SAMSS is a very important and well attended meeting for marine scientists from all over the world to network and build good working relationships.

Under the theme ‘Estuarine, Costal and Oceanic Ecosystems – Breaking down the Boundaries’, this conference provided researchers from the northern and southern hemispheres the opportunity to mingle and exchange ideas and to establish links between estuaries and coastal ecosystems. “It was a very interesting conference, especially in the field of Fishery Management and also a chance to meet researchers I’ve read about which gave me an opportunity to establish collaborations,” said SAIAB Senior Aquatic Biologist, Dr Monica Mwale.

This year the event was held at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. As a research facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and an Associated Institute of Rhodes University, SAIAB works closely with the university’s Department of Ichthyology and Fishery Science (DIFS). This relationship has been maintained since 1981 when DIFS used the facilities of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, now known as SAIAB, for lectures. SAIAB and DIFS maintain strong ties through the SAIAB library and SAIAB researchers supervise students from DIFS.

Various scientists from SAIAB represented the institution at SAMSS in a number of categories: these included Estuaries, Top Predators in Marine Ecosystems, Invasion Biology, Fisheries Management, Genetics and Phytogeography, Biodiversity and Biogeography.  “It was very interesting to see how different people observe issues around global change and the different approaches to it,” added Mwale. These are large scale environmental changes on earth; changes that have global reach such as deviations in atmospheric composition or ocean circulation.  Mwale further shares that, “there was a big section on estuaries. It was very interesting to see the work that other SAIAB researchers do on estuaries". There were also exciting talks linking to SAIAB on large marine ecosystems and oceanography “The conference was very significant for project logistics and working together,” added Dr Gavin Gouws, an aquatic biologist at SAIAB.

Networking session at SAMS

Nosiphiwo Springbok, a Masters candidate, found the conference very insightful and interesting particularly in the field of fish conservation. “Researchers shared a lot of information with us as aspiring scientists and it was good to be exposed to experts that commented and advised on our work, which made us gain confidence in our science,” she added. Moqebelo Morallana, also doing his Masters in Ichthyology, shares Springbok’s sentiments; he adds, “SAIAB was well represented with a huge part on estuary ecology which I was not familiar with being a genetics student and for me that was very informative.”

“SAMSS was well organised, we had an excellent attendance reaching all our targets. It was great to see student participation,” said SAMSS Assistant Conference Co-ordinator, Kendall Crous.

WELCOME TO SAIAB!

In the interests of health and safety and to help us to add value to your visitors, please give us a minute of your time so you are clear about visiting procedures:

Our Receptionist will assist.

Short Term Visitors - Day visitors

• Please encourage your visitor to sign the Daily Visitor Register that indicates who they are visiting.
• When they have signed the register, they will be given a Visitors Sticker to wear for the whole duration of the visit inside the building.
• On departure the visitor must Sign Out.
• Students must possess their Student Cards at all times in the building.

Long Term Visitors - more than one day

• Please encourage your visitor to complete the Long term Visitor Registration Form and Indemnity Form.
• They will be required to sign for a Key and a Long Term Visitor Card.
• On completion of the visit they will be requested to return the key, card and Sign them In.



We hope you enjoy your time at SAIAB

Health and Wellness at SAIAB

From early in the second term a Support Group for staff and students living
with HIV will be established. This will be facilitated by Jaclyn Lotter an
Intern Psychologist at the Rhodes Psychology Clinic together with a
colleague. People living with HIV will be referred by the Sisters at the
Health Care Centre and can also approach Jaclyn directly. The group will be
a closed group, which means that participation is based on complete
confidentiality of people's identity and will be limited to a certain amount
of people to best meet the needs of the group.
If you would like to join this group or find out more either contact Sister
Natasha Douglas at the Health Care Centre (8523) or Jaclyn Lotter at the
Psychology Clinic (8502).

SAIAB/DIFS Seminar Series

1 February - Reyhana Mahomed - Social Networking

31 March - Paul Skelton - Barcoding as a solution to the taxonomic impediment

20 April - Alan Whitfield - Building a research pyramid around estuarine fishes and looking into the future using new technologies

26 May - Monica Mwale - SAMSS presentation

28 July - Kit Magellan - How do indigenous fish deal with invasion

25 August - Amber Childs - Trip to Japan

27 October - Dennis Tweddle - Zaireichthys taxonomy

Caught on Camera

Notice board - March 2010

Bridgette Smith - Finance and Payroll Officer

Sally Schramm - Head Librarian

Thembinkosi Mfondini - General Assistant

Siphokazi Nonyukela - Rhodes University Intern in Science Communication

To the Lamont and Bailey families for their new baby

To Mark Lisher on his appointment as the new Biomaterials Officer

To Professor Alan Whitfield on his Doctor of Science Degree from Rhodes University

Ten tips for a greener office



-Turn off equipment that need not be on when you’re out of the office

-Print and copy double-sided

-Edit documents on screen rather than printing out and hand editing

-Convert paper files to electronic file

-Activate your computer’s ‘sleep’ mode option so that when the machine is not being used, it will automatically switch from full power to sleep mode. This can reduce your computer’s energy use by as much as 70%

-Use water-based ink
-Copiers use more energy per unit than any other type of office equipment. Try to make double-sided copies whenever possible
-Recycle all waste

-Buy recycled toner and ink

Bringing pictures to life

Devoted to building and nurturing human capital development, the National Research Foundation (NRF) assesses its staff based on a performance system that not only monitors employees’ performance in the work place, but also encourages its staff to pursue career-orientated goals. The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) is a national facility of the NRF and Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Whitfield, who has been awarded the prestigious Doctor of Science (DSc) from Rhodes University, feels that he owes this achievement largely to the NRF’s performance system.
Sitting comfortably in his office on the second floor of SAIAB, one leg crossed over the other, Whitfield fondly recounts memories of his childhood: “I was always interested in the natural world. When I was eight, I went to the Durban Aquarium for the first time. My aunt had to battle to get me out.”  His passion for the marine environment was developed right there. Two years later, when Whitfield was only ten years old and while other kids his age were collecting marbles, he religiously collected pictures of fish, brochures from aquariums, vacancy adverts for fish scientists and compiled these in a neat little album with brief descriptions next to each picture. While telling me about the album he walks straight to a cupboard behind me and pulls it out: “My dad knew about my love for fish and that I wanted to become a fish scientist. So when he read the newspaper and saw something fish-related, he would call me to have a look and that is how I started my album.” Whitfield has always felt a connection with the natural environment so much so that even when he went through a phase of switching career options like every child does, he digressed to game ranging and then wanting to become a game researcher. Fortunately for aquatic science, this was a brief digression and Christmas holidays to visit his grandparents on the banks of the Swartkops Estuary in the Eastern Cape served to enhance his interest in the watery world.  

In 1971, Whitfield attended what was then the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Botany. He went on to do an honours degree in Zoology and then a Masters and PhD degree in Ichthyology. After completing his Masters, Whitfield moved to Sedgefield in the southern Cape where he was employed as a Research Officer at Rhodes University until 1987 when he joined the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, now known as SAIAB. Whitfield joined SAIAB as the Principal Ichthyologist and is now the Chief Scientist. “All parts of my job are rewarding in some way,” said Whitfield. “I enjoy the field work, writing scientific papers, planning a research trip and I enjoy seeing students develop.”

In his submission for the Doctor of Science degree, Whitfield acknowledges past South African Estuarine Ichthyologists for the work they have contributed to “enriching my scientific experience of these fascinating coastal ecosystems”. His research career spans 35 years with more than 130 published papers reflecting a significant contribution to the study of biology and ecology of fishes in South African estuaries. Whitfield confesses that achieving a DSc was never a goal: “what triggered pursuing this was the NRF performance system. Every two years we are asked what new training or qualifications one is going to aim for; I thought of all the training that I would like to do -eventually settling on a DSc as the most interesting and challenging”.

When asked if he could be anything else, what that would be, Whitfield takes a 180 degree turn: “Aha, I am very interested in the investment world, especially trading on the stock exchange which has been one of my hobbies for decades. When I retire as a scientist I want to become a serious short and medium-term trader.” On his other plans for retirement, Whitfield plans to write a book on fishes and estuaries that “won’t be linked to any performance system!”

The degree will be conferred at the Rhodes University Graduation Ceremony in April.

SAIAB welcomes Rhodes DIFS students

On the 7th of February 2010, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) welcomed six honours students from the Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fishery Science (DIFS). DIFS students regularly utilize the library and laboratory facilities available at SAIAB.

As an introduction, a short video was played in an effort to help them understand the institution and get a ‘feel’ for SAIAB’s aim, mission and vision. Professor Paul Skelton welcomed the students on behalf of the institution and wished them good luck for the upcoming year.

They were further orientated around the Margaret Smith Library and JLB Smith Collection Management Centre as these are the areas within the institution which they will use regularly.
SAIAB is an Associated Institute of Rhodes University and works closely with the DIFS. This relationship has been maintained since 1981 when DIFS used the facilities of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, now known as SAIAB, for lectures. “SAIAB and DIFS maintain strong ties with researchers supervising students from DIFS and sharing the library facilities,” said SAIAB’s Science Advancement Coordinator, Vanessa Rouhani.
DIFS honours student, Kerthu Shipoke, who comes from Namibia, is hoping to learn a lot from SAIAB and is very impressed with the amount of research the institute has undertaken. Another student, Roy Bealey, shares Shipoke’s sentiments and plans to advance his studies through to Masters level.

SAIAB welcomes 7000 new specimens to its Collection

Approximately 7000 specimens of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and gelatinous pelagic fauna were caught during a 40 day cruise from Reunion Island to Algoa Bay as part of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP) and brought to the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) to be identified and catalogued. Situated in Grahamstown, SAIAB is a National Research Facility of the National Research Foundation and home of the National Fish Collection.

In November 2009, experts in the marine sciences from Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and the Seychelles embarked on the fourth and final leg of cruises for SWIOFP. The 40 day cruise on board the Research vessel, Dr Fridtjof Nansen, started in Reunion Island and ended in Algoa Bay. In November 2010, all specimens caught were brought to SAIAB for a workshop on applying an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management with a specific focus on seamounts. The aim of the workshop was to identify and catalogue as much of the collected material as possible and identify new samples that need to be described by the experts. The collection will remain at SAIAB for further study and as a point of reference.

Nkosinathi Mazungula, SAIAB’s Research Assistant was on this cruise collecting Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from all the specimens caught. “This cruise was particularly significant because the diversity of the region was unfamiliar,” said SAIAB Aquatic Biologist Dr Monica Mwale who assisted in cataloging specimens. “Very little is known of the diversity of the species in the SWIO region,” said Mwale, “and this last cruise aimed at improving the scientific knowledge of seamount ecosystems and their associated biodiversity in the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean.” During the cruise, a total of 40 trawls were undertaken, 32 were at seamount sites and eight were off seamount sites; these were largely undertaken between 300 and 900m below sea level.

The West Indian Ocean is a site renowned for some of the most dynamic and variable large marine ecosystems on the planet. Realising the significance of the region, neighbouring countries have developed a collaborative project that embraces their own fishery-related needs and expectations in a regional and transboundary context. SWIOFP is implemented by the World Bank and is one of a trio of projects linked to Global Environment Facility (GEF) supported projects. The other two projects are the West Indian Ocean Land Based Sources of Pollution (WIOLaB) Project implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Agulhas & Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project (ASCLME) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). SAIAB plays an important role in all three projects.

For further information on the ASCLME Project which is hosted at SAIAB, and its partnerships with other regional and global initiatives, visit the website at http://www.asclme.org/