Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP)
The Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) is hosted by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and is an official partner of the Canadian-based global Ocean Tracking Network (OTN).
Acoustic Tracking Array Platform
The Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP), hosted by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and an official partner of the Canadian-based global Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), provides a backbone of acoustic telemetry hardware to facilitate the large-scale, long-term monitoring of acoustically tagged marine animals. Tagged animals are monitored by a network of more than 285 moored acoustic receivers spanning approximately 2300 km of the southern African coastline, from St Helena Bay in the Western Cape, South Africa to Santa Maria in southern Mozambique.
The current ATAP network from St Helena Bay in the Western Cape Province, South Africa to Santa Maria in southern Mozambique. Every white dot represents a deployed acoustic receiver
Socio-economic implications
- Understanding fish movements towards sustainable fisheries and food security through:
- Improved marine resource management and development
- Integrated marine spatial planning
Users
- 60 research scientists and students from universities, research institutes and non-government organisations globally
Future
- Expansion of the array along South Africa’s west coast
- Collaboration with Mozambique and Western Indian Ocean partners, Inland fisheries
- Integration into SAEON’s coastal temperature array
Functionality
- Largest acoustic tracking array in Africa
- Over 285+ sub-surface acoustic receivers over 2300 km of coastline
- National acoustic tracking database linked to the global Ocean Tracking Network
- Collecting long-term animal movement and water temperature data
Transformation & Capacity Development
- Annual Summer School Initiative
Funders
- DSTI, NRF, OTN, SMCRI, ACEP and Save Our Seas Foundation
