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Acoustic Tracking Array Platform
What It Is and Why It Matters
There is still so much to learn about how aquatic animals (those that live in water) live. Studying them is difficult because they live underwater, where they cannot be easily observed. Fortunately, new technologies help researchers understand where these animals go, which areas are important to them, how long they stay in one place, and what environmental factors (like water temperature) influence their movements.
One powerful tool is acoustic telemetry which consists of two parts:
1. An acoustic tag, which is attached to or inserted into an animal.
2. Acoustic receivers, placed in the ocean, estuaries, or freshwater environments to detect tagged animals as they pass. South Africa has developed a large acoustic tracking network called the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) which includes over 300 receivers, stretching from the Western Cape to southern Mozambique.
Currently, ATAP tracks the movements and migrations of:
• 13 species of fish • 17 species of sharks • 11 species of rays • 1 species of skate • 3 species of turtles
Understanding animal movements helps us identify critical habitats that need protection. Protecting these areas helps species grow to full size and reproduce, supporting healthy fish populations and contributing to more sustainable fisheries. This benefits the communities who rely on these fisheries for their livelihoods.
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Aquatic Ecophysiology Research Platform
What It Is and Why It Matters
Aquatic ecophysiology is an exciting, inter-disciplinary field that studies the connections between environmental factors that affect the body functions of aquatic animals, caring for marine resources to maintain their sustainability, and reducing the effects of climate change. At SAIAB, this research explores how temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, pollution, and climate change impact the normal functioning of aquatic species. This work helps us understand how species adapt, how ecosystems stay healthy, and how to protect biodiversity. Our work also supports careers in science, conservation, government, and industry for people passionate about protecting aquatic life.
Why This Research Matters
Aquatic ecophysiology helps us predict how species will respond to climate change, such as warming waters, ocean acidification and changes in salinity. It shows how much stress species can tolerate and how they might adapt. Studying pollutants like heavy metals, microplastics, and new contaminants at the physiological level helps develop pollution control strategies. The research also helps protect endangered species by identifying their needs and assessing how vulnerable they are to change. Understanding how aquatic animals deal with stress, resist disease, and grow efficiently is important for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Research into invasive species—one of the major threats to biodiversity—helps us manage their impact and protect native ecosystems.
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Aquatic Genomics Research Platform
What It Is and Why It Is Important
The Aquatic Genomics Research Platform is an open-access facility that supports DNA and genomics research related to aquatic life. Researchers use this platform for various projects, including:
• Identifying new aquatic species through DNA barcoding
• Studying the microbiomes of aquatic organisms
• Exploring population genetics
• Sequencing whole genomes
The data generated from this research supports many areas, such as ecosystem and fisheries management, aquaculture, and the search for new antimicrobial and antiviral compounds.
The laboratory is fully equipped for a range of DNA work—from extraction to Sanger and Next-Generation Sequencing. Platform staff provide hands-on technical support and training to those who use the equipment. The platform manager enables users with little to no laboratory experience to learn essential skills for their studies or future careers in molecular work. The platform has 18 workstations available for users.
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Centre for Biological Control – Aquatic Weeds Program
The Aquatic Weeds Program, led by Prof. Julie Coetzee (Deputy Director and NRF-SAIAB SARCHI Chair), focuses on managing invasive freshwater plants like Water Hyacinth, Giant Salvinia, Water Lettuce, and Brazilian Waterweed, using biological control rather than herbicides.
These plants are foreign to South Africa and become a significant problem because they have no natural enemies—such as insects or diseases—to keep them under control. Using a process called biological control, scientists at the Centre for Biological Control (CBC) work to reintroduce these natural enemies to restore the balance in the ecosystem.
One of the scientists’ research in this program aims to strengthen freshwater ecosystems against the effects of climate change and invasive species by building strong food webs and using nature-based solutions like biological control. By studying how invasive plants grow and interact with other organisms, researchers can find safe, effective ways to manage them without harming the environment. This work is important because healthy freshwater systems support fish, plants, and people who rely on them every day
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Coastal and Ocean Sciences Research
What It Is and Why It Matters
Do you care about nature and love the ocean? Are you curious about how animals live and survive along our coast? Then a career in coastal and ocean science might be for you! Coastal ecosystems like rocky shores, mangroves, and beaches are home to a rich variety of marine plants and animals. Our research team studies how environmental and biological factors affect coastal animals, how they function, and how their ecosystems work. We help understand how coastal life is impacted by climate change, pollution, and human activities. To protect these ecosystems, we use exciting tools like coastal ecological engineering to find real-world solutions. This means combining ideas from engineering and ecology to design and build natural solutions that fix damaged coastlines and make them better for people and nature.
We also work closely with scientists, practitioners, and communities to ensure our work makes a difference and we are always training new young scientists to be future leaders in ocean conservation.
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Coastal Craft Platform
SAIAB’s Coastal Craft Platform: Connecting Science and the Sea
SAIAB’s Coastal Craft Platform includes three 15-meter research boats custom-designed for oceanographic research. These boats can travel up to 40 nautical miles from the shore, allowing scientists to reach parts of the ocean that are usually difficult to reach. Each vessel can take up to 10 researchers on day trips to collect critical marine data.
Vessel Features and Use
Each research craft is equipped with specialised tools and technology to support marine research. This includes a winch and A-frame that are used to launch and retrieve equipment such as:
• Nets
• Benthic grabs (for collecting seabed samples)
• Landers
• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• Other ocean monitoring tools
These vessels support a wide range of scientific work, including marine biology, oceanography, and environmental studies.
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Collections Facility Research Platform
The SAIAB Collections Facility is a cornerstone of fish and aquatic biodiversity research in Africa. It plays a crucial role in species conservation, taxonomy (scientific classification}, digital archiving, and education. Researchers around the world use it to study and help protect Africa’s rich aquatic life for future generations.
What the SAIAB Collections Facility does
1. Preserves and Organises Specimens
2. Supports Research and Scientific Study
3. Biodiversity and Conservation
4. Digital Archiving and Data Sharing
5. Fieldwork and Specimen Collection
6. Training and Skills Development
7. Public Education
8. Policy and Advice
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Freshwater Field Unit
Overview and Impact
Our team focuses on studying freshwater fish in southern Africa, especially their classification and evolutionary relationships. We use two key scientific fields:
• Systematics – the study of how different organisms are related, both in the past and today.
• Taxonomy – the science of identifying and classifying organisms.
By combining these approaches, we investigate freshwater biodiversity and the factors that shape where and how it develops.
Our research includes:
• Fieldwork in rivers, lakes, and wetlands
• Genetic and genomic analysis (studying DNA)
• Physical (morphological) studies of fish features and measurements
This work helps conservation by:
• Measuring biodiversity
• Identifying species at risk of extinction
• Supporting the creation of Key Biodiversity Areas
• Informing environmental policies
Our efforts also support four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
• No Poverty (SDG 1)
• Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
• Life Below Water (SDG 14)
We work with local communities to raise awareness and promote sustainable fishing. Our goal is to build skills and knowledge among all stakeholders to ensure healthy ecosystems and long-term benefits for both people and nature. We aim to inspire future generations to protect southern Africa’s freshwater biodiversity.
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Geophysics Mapping Platform
WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS
Ocean Survey Work
Multibeam echosounders (MBES) are powerful acoustic tools used to map the seafloor, making them essential for marine research, exploration, and environmental management.
The Geophysics Mapping Platform (GeMaP) uses two MBES systems:
• Teledyne Reson 7101 (on the Phakisa vessel in Durban)
• R2Sonic 2026 (on the Observer vessel in Gqeberha)
These systems can survey the seafloor at depths ranging from 10 to 700 meters below sea level.
What the surveys produce:
• Primary outputs: detailed seabed maps (bathymetry) and information on seabed texture (backscatter)
• Additional data: seafloor slope, roughness (rugosity), and sediment classification maps
GeMaP supports a range of marine science projects funded through the NRF's ACEP Open Call, with expert assistance provided by the platform team.
Inland Survey Work
Recently (2024/2025), GeMaP has expanded to include inland water surveys. Bathymetric maps were created for protected rivers, lakes, and estuaries in the Western Cape, working with CapeNature and SANParks. These surveys focus mainly on tracking sediment buildup.
For these inland studies, a Lowrance Elite 9Ti2 system is used. It features:
• A 3-in-1 transducer with built in real-time mapping (Genesis Live) and enhanced screen clarity and target separation
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Margaret Smith Library
The Margaret Smith (MS) Library is a special academic library that focuses only on fish and aquatic biodiversity literature. It is part of the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), an international project that digitizes and shares biodiversity books and journals online freely. To date, the Library has contributed 12 titles to the BHL platform.
The MS Library works closely with Rhodes University Library (RUL) and is considered its ‘sister’ library. Students and researchers from the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science use our resources regularly. We also have access to all the academic databases that RUL subscribes to.
In addition, we are members of IAMSLIC, a global network of aquatic science libraries and through this network, we share information and resources with libraries around the world.
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Seascape Ecology Research Platform
What We Do and Why It Matters
Our research focuses on how climate change affects South Africa’s coastal marine environment and fish populations. We also study how shallow coastal areas—like estuaries and tidal pools—act as nursery grounds where juvenile marine fish grow. Many fish rely on these habitats when they are young, so it is important to find and protect these areas to keep adult fish populations healthy for the people who depend on them.
Researchers and scientists in our group do a variety of work, including:
• Writing grant proposals and coming up with new research ideas
• Serving on committees and working groups that help manage and protect marine life
When supervising students, we help them:
• Develop their research projects
• Write proposals for their projects and apply for funding
• Carry out fieldwork and laboratory work
• Analyse their data and write up their results as theses and research papers