Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems Project

In June and July, 10 young oceanographers from the national institutions, universities, fisheries and environment ministries of five African countries, participated in an intensive training course hosted and facilitated by the Marine Research Institute at the University of Cape Town.
The training course was designed to prepare the oceanographers to actively participate in the forthcoming cruise of the Norwegian research ship, Dr Fridtjof Nansen.

Over the next four months, the Dr Fridtjof Nansen will undertake a comprehensive survey of the marine and coastal environment of Madagascar, Mauritius, the Mozambique Channel and a remote ocean region known as the Mascarene Plateau. The cruise is expected to reveal important information about the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems. Data from the cruise will be synthesised into reports which will later help the countries of the region to introduce an ecosystem approach to the management of marine resources. (Click here to find out more about the 2008 ASCLME Ecosystem Assessment Cruise aboard the Dr Fridtjof Nansen.)

In preparation for the cruise, the 10 trainees from Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, were exposed to a wide range of theoretical and practical experiences. In the first week of the course, they participated in a series of lectures delivered to them by leading oceanographers and fisheries experts from the University of Cape Town, Rhodes University and South Africa’s fisheries management authority, Marine and Coastal Management. Subjects covered included basic oceanographic theory, remote sensing, the ecosystem approach to fisheries and fisheries management.

Next, the trainees attended the South African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) at the University of Cape Town. This event, which is held every three years, attracts 400 oceanographers and marine biologists from southern African and international marine science institutes. Attending the Symposium provided the trainees with valuable exposure to the latest trends in marine science, as well as a unique opportunity to network with marine researchers from around the world.

Their next activity was a three-day trip on the South African research vessel Africana. Despite unfavourable weather conditions, with swells of up to 7m, the trainees undertook a few CTD measurements and a mid-water trawl. Then, after a weekend break, they spent time on the inshore research vessel, SeaLab, which is operated by the Institute of Maritime Research in Simon’s Town. On this boat, the trainees were taught to take water samples and CTD measurements from a small boat and were later required to compile these measurements into a comprehensive research report.

The training course and practical activities were well received by the trainees, says Pavs Pillay, liaison officer for the Marine Research Institute at the University of Cape Town and one of the organisers of the oceanographic training:
“It was extremely successful; the trainees worked hard and participated enthusiastically in all the activities,” said Ms Pillay.