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What does SAIAB do?
What does SAIAB do?
How big is the SAIAB collection?
SAIAB is home to over 5000 species and 880 000 specimens of fish which are held in the wet collection facility and accessible through a computerized database.
Is SAIAB part of Rhodes University
SAIAB is a Research Facility of the National Research Foundation. SAIAB is an associated institute of University and works closely with the Rhodes University Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS). SAIAB’s research staff often lecture Rhodes ’ ichthyology students and supervise the postgraduate students.
What are the processes that I need to follow in borrowing a book from SAIAB’s library?
If you are a student at a university other than Rhodes, you will make use of the inter-library loan service offered by your institution and make contact with Rhodes University who will in turn get in touch with SAIAB and arrange for the postage of your requested book.
Can I get a book if I am not a student?
No, but we will gladly scan or photocopy a few pages from your requested book or article and send it to you via email or post.
Are only Rhodes University
Everyone is welcome to use the SAIAB library at any time.
How can I access full-text articles online?
If you are Rhodes/SAIAB employee or a Rhodes student you can access full-text articles through Rhodes OPAC using Alphabetic electronic resource database & A-Z journals.
How can I get information on SAIAB’s collections?
The website has a computerized database which is accessible through the SAIAB information portal where you will find a collection of images and specimen
How can I access SAIAB’s publications?
SAIAB has the largest collection of fish-related publications in the southern hemisphere. These can be borrowed by contacting the SAIAB library.
Does SAIAB offer courses? If so, how can I attend?
SAIAB’s research staff host talk- and workshops at the annual Scifest Africa festival in Grahamstown. Learners, students, teachers and budding scientists are welcome to attend and participate in excursions. Public lectures are also provided monthly and can be arranged if there is sufficient amount of interest from the public.
When do I apply for SAIAB’s winter school?
The winter school is held every year for second and third year students who might want to become involved in aquatic biodiversity and conservation studies. Interested students should check the website for application forms as well as dates for the course
I am in school and interested in science, can I spend a few days at SAIAB?
Yes. You are more than welcome to ‘shadow’ one of our scientists over the school holidays if arrangements are made beforehand.
What subjects do I have to take in school to become an ichthyologist?
The most essential subjects are science and biology. You have to enjoy the course material, ask questions and display a passion for the sciences. You may want to visit an aquatic laboratory and see what they do for a living.
What degree do I study towards at university?
While it depends on the university you want to attend, usually a BSc in Biology or Zoology with specific course work or projects on aquatic issues is a good place to start.
Do I have to do postgraduate studies?
As with any field, it gives you an upper hand and in the science field, it is always good to have a postgraduate degree. Find a supervisor in your field of interest within aquatic biology, e.g. marine, freshwater or estuarine ecology, etc. Another approach could be through studying conservation biology and specializing in aquatic environments. At any level, read as much as you can on your subject of interest.
Can I do my internship at SAIAB?
Yes, however internships are organised through the DST/NRF internship programme and the Rhodes University Internship programme. Potential interns should apply to the DST as advertised and indicate their preferred field of study. Interns are placed at SAIAB based on these applications and at the discretion of the DST/NRF and Rhodes University. These are graduate internships that cover subjects related to biodiversity research, there is also a science communication internship.
How large is the scope for Ichthyologists in South Africa
Any practicing ichthyologist will say that there is a need for more scientific expertise in this discipline in South Africa
Where would I find employment as an ichthyologist?
Mostly government and its agencies. This can change in the years needed to obtain the necessary qualifications. Generally, career opportunities are more frequent in applied ichthyology, e.g. fisheries biology, fish ecology and aquaculture.
Does SAIAB offer training of any kind?
We are involved with post-grad training with lectures at DIFS at Rhodes University
Where do I find information on workshops offered by SAIAB?
Visit http://www.sabistudents.org.za/ for information on systematic conferences and bursaries, etc. All other relevant workshops will be on the SAIAB website.
What is a voucher specimen?
A voucher specimen is any specimen that is used as a basis of a study and retained as a reference. ‘Type’ specimen refers to a particular voucher specimen which serves as a basis for taxonomic description of that subspecies. This is an important part of scientific research.
A voucher specimen is any specimen that is used as a basis of a study and retained as a reference. ‘Type’ specimen refers to a particular voucher specimen which serves as a basis for taxonomic description of that subspecies. This is an important part of scientific research.
What is a Coelacanth?
Described as a living fossil, the coelacanth is a large, primitive fish found in the Indian Ocean . The coelacanth has four muscular, limb-like fins underneath its body that it uses as legs to perch or support itself on the bottom of the ocean and is thus believed to form one of the "missing links" in the evolution from fish to land animals. Coelacanths were believed to have vanished along with dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period until one was found off the east coast in South Africa
What is ACEP?
ACEP is the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme. It is SAIAB's flagship marine research programme launched in 2002. ACEP is the largest inter-institutional, multi-disciplinary marine programme in South Africa.
What is the work of the programme?
ACEP has eight projects running concurrently. These include Natal Blight, Genetics, Biodiversity, Agulhas Current, Environmental Education, Database and Conservation Planning. All of these seek to answer questions around marine biology and deal directly with the coelacanth. These projects also serve to aid in achieving the objectives of the ACEP. ACEP forms South Africa's key-in-kind, co-funding contribution to the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) project. ACEP undertakes the majority of Agulhas current research and provides cruise co-ordination for the entire programme.
What sort of things do I look at in identifying fish?
The first things to look at are the general body shape, colour and pattern of your fish.
How can I use the internet to identify fish?
Visit the SAIAB Information Portal and use the image database to search for your fish if you think you know the scientific name and you only need to look for verification. If you know only the common name, use Google and search for ‘Fishbase’ which will take you to another search engine; type the name in the ‘Common Name’ box and if you are lucky you will get your species immediately.
What is fly fishing?
It is an ancient angling method using flies and artificial lines that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line.
It is an ancient angling method using flies and artificial lines that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line.
How do I create artificial flies?
Artificial flies can be created by tying hair, fur, feathers, or other natural and synthetic materials onto a hook with thread. Ensure that your flies are tied in a manner that matches local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish or any other prey that would attract your target fish species.
Artificial flies can be created by tying hair, fur, feathers, or other natural and synthetic materials onto a hook with thread. Ensure that your flies are tied in a manner that matches local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish or any other prey that would attract your target fish species.
Where can I fly fish?
Fly fishing is the most popular method of catching trout and salmon and can be done in fresh or salt water.
What is an estuary?
It is a partly enclosed coastal body of water that is freely connected to the sea and with rivers or streams flowing into it. The mixture of sea- and fresh water creates a measurable variation of salinity.
What types of organisms can tolerate estuaries?
While migration is the key characteristic of estuarine species, those that can tolerate the estuarine environment are often very abundant in their chosen environment. These include sand prawns Callianassa kraussi and mudprawns Upogebia africana, mullet and fish that feed on the bottom or eat plankton.
Some of the larger fish species such as the estuarine swimming prawns and the mangrove crab Scylla serrata breed at sea where the level of salinity is much more constant than in an estuary. This then favors the more sensitive larval phases which, at a later stage of development, move to the estuarine nursery grounds to grow and mature before migrating back to the sea. Hence, estuaries are not breeding grounds per se, except ofcourse in the case of resident species.
How do estuaries survive?
Estuaries depend on basic inputs of carbon leaves and other plant litter as a food supply. These are sourced from local plant growth the shape of mangroves, reeds, saltmarsh vegetation, phytoplankton or microscopic one celled plants called diatoms which are found on intertidal mudflats. However, these are not consumed in the fresh form; the plants are colonized by bacteria and fungi where the carbon material is converted into assimilable carbohydrates and proteins.
What is the difference between fresh and marine water?
Freshwater is naturally occurring water found in ponds, rivers, lakes, etc whereas marine water can be found in oceans, coral reefs and estuaries with a salinity level between 3.1% and 3.8% containing more dissolved ions than fresh water.
What is a terrestrial system?
It is an area where fresh- and salt water mix.
What is tag and release fishing?
It is a form of catch and release fishing where the angler attaches a tag to a fish that will record data such as time, place and type of fish on a standardized postcard.
What is acoustic tagging?
These are small devices that emit sound allowing for the detection and remote tracking of fish and are used to monitor the behaviour of fish.
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