Featured Research
Why the SAIAB Featured Research
Stimulate Communication
Promote Infomation Exchange
Highlight Research Insights
The SAIAB Featured Research describes research outputs by our postgraduate students, postdocs, and researchers, with the aim of stimulating communication and promoting the exchange of information on regional, national and international developments in aquatic biodiversity and ichthyology research. The Featured Research is also an extension of the SAIAB Seminar Series platform which profiles the research of our seminar series presenters and is an opportunity for the presenters to advocate for their science, highlight the expected impacts, and to introduce the research team behind the projects in the form of an accessible news story for the general public.
NRF-SAIAB Briefing Note – Building Expert Capacity in South Africa: Reflections from ABEST Practices Course in Stable Isotope Applications.
March 19, 2025Prepared by: Nokubonga Mbandzi-Phorego, Lubabalo Mofu, EleonoraPuccinelli & Francesca Porri Understanding aquatic ecosystems is critical for environmental sustainability and societal well-being, especially in developing economies like South Africa, where coastal and freshwater resources support livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity. Healthy...
Biological Control Milestone led by DSTI/NRF-SAIAB SARChI: Weevil Released to Combat Invasive Salvinia Minima in Hartbeespoort
March 18, 2025On Monday, 17 March 2025, South Africa took a significant step toward protecting its freshwater ecosystems with the release of the Cyrtobagous salviniae weevil in the Crocodile River at Hartbeespoort. The Rhodes University Centre for Biological Control (CBC), in collaboration...
NRF Insights, Volume 2: Analysis of Research Output Supported or Performed by the NRF
January 29, 2025The National Research Foundation (NRF) has published NRF Insights, Volume 2: 2024, titled Analysis of Research Output Supported or Performed by the NRF. NRF Insights is a series of publications that monitor and assess the state of research and research...
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-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...
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, 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 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...
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...
Cutting-Edge Laboratories Set to Lead Marine Research for Societal Advancement in South Africa
January 25, 2024– Lucky Dlamini (NRF-SAIAB Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager) In a ground-breaking initiative to advance marine research with a profound societal impact in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF)–South African Institute...
Download Your NRF-SAIAB Branded Digital Calendar for 2024 Now!
January 19, 2024As we embark on a new year filled with exciting opportunities and discoveries, the NRF-SAIAB is thrilled to present its exclusive branded digital calendar for 2024. Designed with a focus on the incredible biodiversity of aquatic life, this calendar is...
BIODIVERSITY BIOBANKS: An insurance policy for the future of nature
January 17, 2024By: Seshnee Reddy , Biobank Coordinator at NRF-SAIAB. In a world where climate change, habitat destruction, overexploitation and pollution are leading to increasing loss of biodiversity that is altering the capacity of the Earth to sustain life, Biodiversity Biobanks are emerging as...
NRF-SAIAB BRIEFING NOTE: Nature-Based Co-Creations as Ecological Engineering Solutions for Urban Coastlines: Transdisciplinary Partnerships Through Science, Arts, Indigenous Knowledge and Industry
November 15, 2023October 2023 Prepared by Prof. Francesca Porri & Dr Kerry-Ann van der Walt OBJECTIVE OF BRIEF The purpose of this briefing note is to provide an in-depth overview on ongoing research pursued by researchers at the South African Institute for...
Highlighting the value of using multibeam bathymetry in marine spatial planning within the uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area, South Africa
November 2, 2023By: Thami Wanda (NRF-SAIAB GeMaP Multibeam Instrument Technician and current PhD researcher) and Lucky Dlamini (NRF-SAIAB Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager). Due to the expanding global population and the growing focus on the blue economy, South Africa has recognised the...
SAIAB Annual Smith Memorial Lecture – ‘Knysna Estuary: Jewel of the Garden Route’
September 7, 2023SAIAB holds the Smith Memorial Lecture in memory of J.L.B and Margaret Mary Smith to commemorate their legacy of discovery and research in Ichthyology and related fields. This year, we invited former Chief Scientist Emeritus & Research Associate of SAIAB,...
Mastering Fish Identification: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Marine Enthusiasts
July 17, 2023By Yonela Sithole In September 2022, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), a national facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), published the highly anticipated five-volume book titled Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean (CFWIO). This comprehensive...
From Seascapes to Sacred Traditions: MzanSea Film Shines Light on South Africa’s Deep Ocean Connections.
June 8, 2023Joint press release – SANBI, SAHRA, NRF-SAIAB 8 June 2023 – This World Oceans Day we dive into South Africa’s coastal and marine heritage, through a film that recognises and surfaces the tangible and intangible connections of our people to...
A REFRESHing journey to update knowledge on aquatic parasite species in South Africa
May 1, 2023Authors: Marliese Truter, Anja Erasmus, Kerry Malherbe, Nico J SmitWater Research Group (WRG) Aquatic biodiversity of South Africa Did you know that South Africa is a megadiverse country that hosts a range of exceptionally diverse and endemic organisms? Despite having...
SAIAB researchers contribute to new series of Open Access journals by Cambridge University Press to address global challenges
May 1, 2023Cambridge University Press (CUP) has announced a new series of Open Access journals that will address “global challenges by bringing together researchers across national and subject boundaries”. Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms-coastal-futures/information/about-this-journal is one three new open access journals launched...
Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa – Joint Press Release
May 1, 2023Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB, UCT, and the One Ocean Hub 29 March 2023 – A diverse team of scientists have returned from a month offshore in a groundbreaking expedition that advanced the capacity, technology, and multidisciplinary knowledge for...
Joint Press Release Update: SAIAB supports deep-sea cruise to deepen offshore research capacity in South Africa (3 March)
March 2, 2023For release Friday 3 March Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB, UCT, and the One Ocean Hub 3 March 2023 – History has been made during a research expedition currently underway involving a rich representation of young researchers. This cruise...
Press Release Update: SAIAB supported deep-sea cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa (2 March)
March 2, 2023For immediate release Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB and the One Ocean Hub 2 March 2023 – A team of emerging researchers has been conducting an offshore multi-disciplinary research expedition with the aim of fostering local and regional capacity...
Joint Press Release 14 February: Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa (14 February)
February 27, 2023Joint press release – SANBI, NRF-SAIAB, UCT and Strathclyde University /One Ocean Hub Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa 14 February 2023 – This week, a team of marine scientists will embark on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore...
Study Underway to Determine Spread of Invasive Alien Nile Tilapia; A Major Threat to South Africa’s Biodiversity
October 31, 2022A collaborative project between the NRF-SAIAB, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) is underway to determine the current extent of the spread of the invasive alien Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)...
Identifying the diversity of the southern Africa lampeye fishes (Lacustricola)
October 31, 2022Description of Resarch Work The current research on the southern African lampeye fishes is an extension of previous research carried with the family Procatopodidae during Dr Pedro Bragança (SAIAB Postdoctoral Researcher)’s PhD studies. In this research Dr Bragança reveals for...
Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean 5-Volume Publication
October 31, 2022NRF-SAIAB hosted the official online book launch of the digital version of the 5-Volume Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean at its annual Smith Memorial Lecture on 29 September 2022, attracting an audience of 120 participants globally. Coastal Fishes...