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 250 moored acoustic receivers spanning approximately 2200 km of the South African coastline, from False Bay in the Western Cape to Ponta do Ouro at the South Africa/Mozambique border.
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 300+ sub-surface acoustic receivers over 2200 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
- OTN, NRF, DSTI, SMCRI, SAEON Elwandle Node, Save Our Seas Foundation and ACEP
