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.
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...