Here we bring you the latest news and press releases about SAIAB’s aquatic biodiversity research and events such as the SAIAB Seminar Series which are open to the general public.
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series 2025
February 20, 2025Wednesday 26 February, 15:00pm Venue: NRF-SAIAB Lecture Room Zoom Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/UkJJXWRkTNu8bNKvNAcmbw Passcode: 554318 by Dr. Nompumelelo Baso-Mdiza Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, NRF-SAIAB Lessons from Rwanda: CIFAR Women in Research Leadership Development Symposium Curious about what happens when exceptional early career...
Download the 2025 NRF-SAIAB Digital Calendar Now!
February 14, 2025Our digital calendar is now available for download. In addition to helping you stay organized, it also highlights the work being done at NRF-SAIAB and provides an overview of our platforms, projects and research activities. The calendar serves as a...
Celebrating southern Africa’s Freshwater Fish Heritage: NRF-SAIAB’s Nationwide Book Launch and Stakeholder Engagement Roadshow
February 12, 2025In November 2024, the NRF-SAIAB team, led by former Managing Director Emeritus Prof. Paul Skelton, Acting Managing Director Prof. Albert Chakona, and Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager Lucky Dlamini, embarked on a week-long roadshow to launch the latest edition of...
NRF-SAIAB and SANBI’s REFRESH Project Participates in the 2024 Great Southern BioBlitz
February 11, 2025The NRF–South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), as co-leads of the NRF FBIP Large Grant REFRESH Project, have marked a significant milestone in the project by participating in its first BioBlitz....
NRF-SAIAB Briefing Note: Small but mighty – The humble mullet and their ecological importance
January 22, 2025Prepared by: Taryn Murray, Bantony Ziko, Dinah Mukhari & Amber Childs Objective: A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome-based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by Authorities, Industry, NGOs and...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series 2025
January 21, 2025Thursday 6 February 2025, 10.30am (SAST) Venue: NRF-SAIAB Lecture Room Zoom Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/VbEv_SGOQ5CMbWsJEQCM8w Passcode: 800483 by Vusi Mthombeni– Honorary Research Associate, NRF-SAIABFreshwater Ecologist, Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) Evaluating perceptions of co-management on small-scale fisheries...
NRF-SAIAB-SAEON Briefing Note: Climate change resilience and refugia for fishery species
December 13, 2024Prepared by: Nicola James & Shaun Deyzel Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing...
NRF-SAIAB Hosts Successful Annual Student Symposium Event
December 13, 2024The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) successfully hosted the 2024 Student Symposium on November 29, 2024, at the Amazwi Literature Museum in Makhanda. This annual event provides a platform for Masters and PhD students affiliated with NRF-SAIAB to...
Reaching New Horizons: NRF-SAIAB’s Nokubonga Mbandzi-Phorego Shares Insights from Her First International Trip and Training Workshop to Canada
November 30, 2024By: Nokubonga Mbandzi-Phorego The NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity researcher, Dr Nokubonga Mbandzi-Phorego visited the Hakai Institute in Quadra Island, Canada for a training workshop on the Global Eutrophication Monitoring (GEM) programme from the 23rd – 27th of September...
Unveiling New Species: How Eight New Catfish Species Were Named
November 14, 2024By: Dr Yonela Sithole (PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow) In the groundbreaking study of the Parauchenoglanis genus, eight new species were discovered in the river systems of central and southern Africa. Previously classified under Parauchenoglanis ngamensis, these species were identified as...
Revealing Hidden Diversity: Eight New Freshwater Fish Species Discovered in Africa
November 14, 2024By: Dr Yonela Sithole (PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow) Africa’s rivers are home to an amazing diversity of fish species, but this biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species are all having a significant...
NRF-SAIAB Annual Student Symposium 2024
November 13, 2024THEME: ‘Safe-Guarding Africa’s Aquatic Future’ We are pleased to invite you to this year’s NRF-SAIAB Student Symposium, which will take place on Friday, 29 November 2024, beginning at 08:30 AM at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. RSVP: T.Ntokoana@saiab.nrf.ac.za...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Kim Labuschagne
November 11, 2024Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 10:30am (SAST) Venue: Lecture Room, NRF-SAIAB, Somerset Street, Makhanda Zoom Registration Link: https://zoom.us/…/tJAtdeqhrTkiGdAHKqmM41yK9wX0DeQ2910J Passcode: 759970 by Kim Labuschagne SANBI Biobank Curator The SANBI Wildlife Biobank: Conserving Tomorrow, Today The preservation of biodiversity is critical to...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Dr Kerry-Ann van der Walt
November 8, 2024Thursday 7 November 2024, 10.30am (SAST) Zoom Registration link: https://zoom.us/j/95770623049?pwd=tDzFGvAg9cTo5gYBNGGrbPxHOdae6b.1 Passcode: 362255 by Kerry-Ann van der Walt PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NRF-SAIAB Investigating recruitment dynamics and retention patterns of fish larvae in nearshore environments along the south-east coastline of South...
Science for Society Lecture
October 25, 2024Join the Science for Society Lecture, jointly organised by NRF-SAEON and NRF-SAIAB. This event will feature a panel discussion with researchers from NRF-SAEON (Drs. Mary-Jane Bopape and Warren Joubert); NRF-SAIAB (Profs. Albert Chakona and Francesca Porri); the Wits Sustainable Global...
8th Southern African Shark and Ray Symposium
October 10, 202415 – 19 September 2025 | Makhanda, Eastern Cape The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and the Wildlife Conservation Society are proud to be hosting the 8th instalment of the Southern African Shark and Ray Symposium in Makhanda, Eastern...
SAIAB Annual Smith Memorial Lecture – ‘Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa | A Complete Guide’
October 10, 2024SAIAB holds the Lecture in memory of JLB and Margaret Mary Smith to commemorate their legacy of discovery and research in Ichthyology and related fields. This year, we have invited former Director of SAIAB (1998 – 2011), Professor Paul Skelton...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Dinah Mukhari and Bantony Ziko
October 10, 2024Thursday 10 October 2024, 10.30am (SAST) Venue: NRF-SAIAB Lecture Room Zoom Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApc-qppjoiEtOZKinul1SGGZzEzqwNVk67 Passcode: 607663 by Dinah Mukhari & Bantony Ziko PhD Candidates, NRF-SAIAB From chemistry to conservation: Using otoliths to track fish movements Otoliths are fish ear bones...
Marine Research Exchange: NRF-SAIAB PhD researcher from South Africa at the University of Plymouth, England
October 8, 2024By: Jabulani Ndaba (NRF-SAIAB PhD candidate) Jabulani Ndaba, a PhD student in the Coastal and Ocean Sciences Team (COST) at the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and registered at Rhodes University, recently completed a three-month collaborative research visit at...
Eulogy for Dr. Leonard J.V. Compagno
October 4, 2024By Dr. Dave Ebert (NRF-SAIAB Honorary Research Associate) Leonard J.V. Compagno passed away on 25 September 2024. Born in San Francisco, California, on 4 December 1943, he was a true Giant in the field of Shark, Ray, and Ghost Shark...
NRF-SAIAB Hosts Training Course on “Best Practices in Aquatic Food Web Investigations”
September 16, 2024The NRF-SAIAB recently held a training course titled “Best Practices in Aquatic Food Web Investigations: Stable Isotope and Fatty Acid Approaches.” The course was designed to equip participants with critical skills in defining sampling designs for food web studies, deciding...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Jody Oliver
September 13, 2024Thursday 26 September 2024, 10.30am (SAST) Venue: NRF-SAIAB Lecture Room Zoom Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkdemprD4tE93bpIWY4JCVShNZLplaCxoK Passcode: 185590 By Jody Oliver AGRP Laboratory Technician & PhD Candidate, NRF-SAIAB Beyond the Surface: Using cutting-edge technology for marine exploration South Africa, renowned for its vibrant...
Exploring the Future of Linefish: Insights from the 6th Southern African Marine Linefish Symposium
September 5, 2024The 6th Southern African Marine Linefish Symposium (6SAMLS), held from 19 to 23 August 2024 at Mpekweni Beach Resort in the Eastern Cape, was a significant gathering that brought together Southern African linefish researchers and students, park managers, compliance officers...
NRF-SAIAB’s Dr. Nompumelelo Baso Among Top 3 Finalists for Prestigious Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant
August 29, 2024Dr. Nompumelelo Baso, a postdoctoral researcher at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), has made it as one of the top three shortlisted candidates from 630 applicants for the 2024 Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant (JWO Research Grant)....
William Smith: The science educator who was larger than life
August 24, 2024William Smith eulogy by Mike Bruton (23.08.24) The famous science educator, William Macdonald Smith, widely known as ‘South Africa’s favourite teacher, died in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday, 21st August 2024 after a short battle with cancer. Wiiliam was born to...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series by Dr. Eleonora Puccinelli
August 19, 2024Food Web Interactions in Marine Ecosystems: From Urban to Offshore Environments by Eleonora Puccinelli Principal Investigator, Department of Coastal Systems (COS),Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) Date: Thursday 29 August 2024, Time: 10:30 AM (SAST) Venue: NRF-SAIAB Lecture Room...
NRF-SAIAB Hosts Annual Advisory Panel Committee Meeting
August 19, 2024On 31 July 2024, the NRF-SAIAB leadership convened its annual Advisory Panel Committee meeting. The meeting brought together a diverse group of experts to provide strategic guidance and advice to the institution as it navigates the challenges and opportunities within...
NRF-SAIAB Scientists Play a Crucial Role at the 40th Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in Makhanda
August 16, 2024By Siyamthanda Ndinisa & Mbali Ngulube On Saturday, July 27th, Rhodes University’s Great Hall buzzed with youthful energy as it hosted the 40th Regional Science Fair of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. This annual event, a beacon of inspiration...
NRF-SAIAB Transitions to Green Energy with Solar Installation and 400,000-Litre Water Tanks
August 15, 2024By Mbali Ngulube & Siyamthanda Ndinisa In a major step towards sustainability, NRF-SAIAB has successfully installed 48 solar panels and two large water tanks, each with a capacity of 200,000 litres, at its Makhanda building. These projects were initiated to...
NRF-SAIAB and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization Nurture Fish Taxonomy Talent Across Africa
August 14, 2024By Siyamthanda Ndinisa & Mbali Ngulube The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered to launch a significant scientific research initiative aimed at developing local talent and leadership...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series by Hesmarié Botha
July 29, 2024Exploring gnathiid isopods, the “mosquitoes” of the marine world. By Hesmarié Botha Research Student, NRF-SAIAB; North-West University, Potchefstroom Date: Thursday 1 August 2024, Time: 10.30am (SAST) Zoom Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqdumtrz0sG9F9sd9Fu7pyvBrbszbpa1z0 Passcode: 033024 Smaller organisms, such as parasites, have historically been...
NRF-SAIAB’s SCM Team Hosts a Development Workshop to Empower Makhanda and Eastern Cape Province SMMEs
July 19, 2024By: Angela Buthelezi (NRF-SAIAB SCM Manager) NRF-SAIAB hosted its first Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) workshop on June 27, 2024, for Makhanda and Eastern Cape Province SMMEs. The workshop was conducted by the NRF-SAIAB SCM team, Ms Angela Buthelezi (SCM...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Dr Phumza Ndaleni
July 19, 2024Feeding Morphology Traits as Predictors of Food Competition Among Cichlid Species in the Komati River System By Dr Phumza Ndaleni Post-Doctoral Researcher, NRF-SAIAB Date: Thursday 25 July 2024, Time: 10.30am (SAST) Venue: Lecture Room, NRF-SAIAB, Somerset Street, Makhanda Zoom Registration...
A Journey Beyond the Horizon: Olly’s Life-Changing Voyage experience on SA Agulhas II
July 18, 2024By: Olwethu “Olly” Maqalekana (NRF-SAIAB/ SANBI Groen Sebenza Intern) It was an afternoon after a long day of fieldwork at St. Francis with my team, when I checked my emails before preparing to nap. Catching my attention at first sight...
NRF-SAIAB, FAO Host Important Fish Taxonomy Research Workshop
July 16, 2024ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS, REPORTERS AND PRODUCERS For immediate release12 July 2024 The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have joined forces for a scientific research initiative aimed at...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Enya Munting
July 3, 2024Understanding the impacts of Marine Protected Areas on the Commercial Linefishing sector in KwaZulu-Natal as a first step towards sustainable MPA governance By: Enya Munting Research Student, NRF-SAIAB The Recording is now available on the NRF-SAIAB YouTube Channel: Marine Protected...
NRF-SAIAB Seminar Series presentation by Dr Taryn Murray
June 13, 2024Existing knowledge on estuarine‐marine connectivity of important fishery species in South Africa By: Dr Taryn Murray Instrument Scientist, NRF-SAIAB The Recording is now available on the NRF-SAIAB YouTube Channel: Estuaries play a crucial role in the life histories of numerous...
NRF-SAIAB JML Programme: Changing the Tides in Ocean Research, through Innovation, Research and Partnerships
June 13, 2024– Lucky Dlamini (NRF-SAIAB Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager) The National Research Foundation (NRF) is celebrating a significant milestone in its history, marking its 25th anniversary since its establishment on April 1, 1999. As a statutory body mandated to promote...
MSc opportunity: Habitat features and nursery function in a proposed rocky shore MPA
June 3, 2024An MSc opportunity is available for students with a background in aquatic zoology or botany A no-take MPA along a 2 km stretch of rocky shore is being proposed in Jeffrey’s Bay (Jeffrey’s Bay Marine Rock Reserve) for an initial...
Panel Discussion: Changing the tides in Ocean research, through innovation, research and partnerships
May 30, 2024Join the NRF-SAIAB Panel Discussion as the Joint Marine Laboratories Programme (JML) Principal Investigators discuss how four Historically Disadvantage Institutions (HDIs) are transforming the South African ocean research space through the DSI/NRF-SAIAB funded JML Programme. Date: Thursday, 6 June 2024...
Call for PhD Candidate
May 28, 2024The Coastal and Ocean Sciences Team (COST) at the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity in Makhanda is seeking a PhD candidate to join the research team and work on a project investigating the Potential of mussel beds as blue...
NRF-SAIAB Briefing Note: New insights into ray movement and conservation
May 23, 2024Prepared by Dr Chantel Elston Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing note series...
NRF-SAIAB Briefing Note: SEASCAPES – Importance and Translation into Management
May 23, 2024Prepared by Professor Nicola James Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing note series...
Funding support for MSc/PhD laboratory costs
April 30, 2024The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and DIPLOMICS have established a node for genomics research and training at SAIAB. The central aim of this research and training initiative is to increase access for South African students to genomics...
Call for MSc Student
April 29, 2024Do you have an interest in animal behaviour? Do stingrays interest you? This MSc project (to be registered at Rhodes University) aims to investigate the characteristics and behaviours of blue stingrays at a breeding aggregation site in the Knysna Estuary,...
Unveiling Nature’s Jewel: Exploring the Enigmatic World of the Translucent Goukou Galaxias
April 17, 2024By Xiluva Mathebula, Nkululeko Zuma, Albert Chakona The Goukou galaxias (Galaxias sp. nov. ‘goukou’) is a fascinating small, cylindrical freshwater fish that grows up to 70 mm in total length. This unique fish possesses a semi-translucent body that reveals glimpses...
Fish monitoring within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve region
April 15, 2024Gouritz Ecological Corridors Project, Gouritz Resilient Rivers, Invasion Biology (IAPs) By Nelisiwe Khusi (GCBR, Junior Hydrologist) and Xiluva Mathebula (Groen Sebenza/NRF-SAIAB Freshwater Taxonomy Intern) 1.1 The importance of Fish monitoring within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere...
POSTDOCTORAL POSITION TO JOIN THE “INDIGENOUS MARINE INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS AND ECONOMIES (IMIsEE)PROJECT” IN SOUTH AFRICA.
April 10, 2024Applications are invited for one full-time postdoctoral (NRF-Grant holder) position held at the National Research Foundation (NRF)-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity(SAIAB) in Grahamstown/Makhanda, South Africa. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Preference will be given to applicants with expertise, experience and...
The Melodic Journey of Garth van Heerden
March 20, 2024NRF-SAIAB’s Transformation Manager Balances Professional Excellence with Musical Passion By Mbali Ngulube & Siyamthanda Ndinisa In the bustling halls of NRF-SAIAB, Mr. Garth van Heerden fondly known as Tata Garth is a familiar figure, known not only for his role...
Celebrating Professor Francesca Porri as Our NRF-SAIAB Recycling Hero on Global Recycling Day
March 18, 2024By Siyanda Mzini (DSI-HSRC/NRF-SAIAB Intern) As the world celebrates Global Recycling Day on the 18th of March 2024, under the theme ‘Recycling Heroes’, we focus our attention to NRF-SAIAB Senior Scientist and Environmental Ambassador, Professor Francesca Porri, whose commitment and...