One of the tasks undertaken by the EAF-Nansen Project is to provide a solid basis of knowledge resulting from a continuous ecosystem assessment and monitoring. This is to assist decision-makers to come up with policies and decisions consistent with the ecosystem approach to fisheries.

The Northwest Africa ecosystem survey is being carried out as a partnership between the EAF-Nansen project and the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) project. The survey can be followed step by step thanks to the publication of weekly diaries which can be accessed at the following link:

Survey Weekly Diaries 

The survey which started on 20th of October will last for 62 days and is to cover the continental shelf area from Conakry, Guinea (in the south) to the Strait of Gibraltar (in the north). Thirty-two scientists and technicians from 8 countries will be on the cruises.

Progress reports on the survey, preliminary findings, developments and interesting pictures of the activities are provided weekly in the diaries.

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 Dowload the 2008 cruise report overview (PDF)

Survey No
Title

20084 01

Regional Hake

 “Transboundary survey between Namibia and South Africa with focus on the shared stocks of deep water hake”

7 January

 26 February

(49)

South Africa

Namibia

MCM, South Africa,

NATMIRC, Namibia,

IMR, Norway

To plan and conduct a transboundary survey from Cape Agulhas to Orange River to produce distribution maps and abundance estimates of the two species of hake to be later merged with similar data from a co-occurring Namibian national demersal survey, to enable complete mapping and assessment of shared stocks, thus providing a measure of the degree of sharing of the stocks at the time of the survey. 

To do plankton sampling at transects off Hondeklip Bay and between Orange River and Lüderitz to check for retentions areas for eggs and larvae and local spawning of hake respectively.

To collect data on the maturity stages of the hakes to check for possible spawning activity. 

To do an acoustic mini-survey of Hondeklip Bay to map aggregations of pelagic juvenile hake.

To collect other relevant data to better understand the environment impact on the distribution of hakes, and the fish community structure in the distribution areas of the hake. The environment data will be analysed later

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20084 02

Survey of the demersal resources of Angola

10 March

13 April

(34)

INIP, Angola

IMR, Norway

To survey, map and describe the distribution, composition and abundance of the main demersal species, with special emphasis on seabreams (Sparidae), croakers (Sciaenidae), grunts (Haemulidae), groupers (Serranidae), hakes (Merlucciidae) and shrimps (Parapenaeus longirostris and Aristeus varidens) on the Angolan shelf and slope (down to 800 m), from Cunene River (17°14‟S) to Tombua (15°40‟S), and from Benguela (12°35‟S) to Congo River (06°00‟S) using bottom trawl and the swept-area method.

To collect biological data as length, weight, sex and maturity of Dentex macrophthalmus, D. angolensis, Pagellus bellottii, Pseudotolithus typus, Merluccius polli, A. varidens, P. longirostris, Chaceon maritae and Panulirus regius, and to collect the stomach contents and gonads for some species such as Dentex angolensis, Pagellus bellottii, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Umbrina canariensis and Brachydeuterus auritus, for future analyses in the INIP Lab.

To monitor the general hydrographic conditions using a CTD-sonde on each trawl station and map the temperature, salinity and oxygen along standard INIP hydrographic profiles.

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20084 03

Environmental survey Angola

IMR, Norway

UiB, Norway

INIP, Angola

MinPet Angola

MinUeA, Angola

Agostinho Neto University, Angola,

BCLME,

GCLME,

Chevron.

20084 04

Pelagic Gabon-Namibia

3 May

13 May

(10)

Direction Générale de la pêche et l’Aquaculture, Gabon,

Direction Générale de la Pêche et de l’Aquaculture, Congo,

Direction des pêches. Ministère de l’agriculture et developpement rural, R.D. Congo,

IMR, Bergen, University of Bergen, Norway.

To estimate the abundance and to map the distribution of the main commercially important pelagic and semi-pelagic fish species in the region waters, including the two sardinella species Sardinella aurita and S. maderensis, the Cunene horse mackerel Trachurus trecae and other pelagic species.

To map the general meteorological, hydrographical and biological conditions in the survey area by means of continuous recordings of weather data, CTD-casts (Temperature, Salinity and Oxygen), ADCP measurements (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) and plankton sampling along acoustical and hydrographical transect lines.

To collect bottom sediment samples to map the benthic biodiversity in the region.

On-the-job training for the local and regional participants on the main survey routines, including using the Nansis and Hydrobase software, scrutinizing acoustical data with the latest Norwegian post-processing system, Large Scale Survey System (LSSS), and producing acoustical biomass estimates.

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20084 05

ASCLME Madagascar

24 August

1 October

(38)

ASCLME; Agulas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems project,

CNRO; Centre National de Recherches Océanographiques,

IHSM; Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines,

IMR; Institute of Marine Research, Norway,

ORI; Oceanographic Research Institute, South Africa

RU; Rhodes University, South Africa,

UCT; University of Cape Town,

UWC; University of Western Cape

To carry out the first multi-disciplinary, quasi-synoptic cruise that encompasses the whole of the East Madagascar Current and the adjacent shelf.

To establish the distribution of organisms on a number of trophic levels and how these are affected by the prevailing current system.

To establish, as far as possible, the productivity, biodiversity and biomass of the pelagic ecosystem.

To determine the nature of the South Equatorial Current as a driving force for the marine ecosystem east of Madagascar and its interaction with the northern branch of the East Madagascar Current.

To determine the nature of the termination of the southern branch of the East Madagascar Current south of Madagascar.

To undertake preliminary investigations of species diversity in the demersal fish fauna.

To fulfil the data management agreement contained in Annex V.

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20084 06

ASCLME Mauritius

4 October

7 October

(4)

ACEP; African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme,

ASCLME; Agulas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems project,

IMR; Institute of Marine Research, Norway,

MA-RE: Marine Research Institute, UCT,

OMI: Mauritius Oceanographic Institute,

SAEON: South African Environmental Observation Network,

SCMRT: Seychelles Centre for Marine Research & Technology, UCT;

University of Cape Town,

UWC; University of Western Cape.

To determine the nature of the South Equatorial Current as a driving force for the marine ecosystem by establishing the physical/chemical environment of Mauritius that will affect the nature and motion over the continental shelf of the island.

To determine the on- and offshore distribution of organisms on a number of trophic levels and how these are affected by the reigning current system.

To determine the biodiversity of the island’s marine ecosystem and its surroundings.

To establish, as far as possible, the productivity, biodiversity and biomass of the pelagic ecosystem.

To do preliminary investigations on species diversity on the demersal fish fauna over the Mascarene Plateau section.

To fulfil the data management agreement contained in Appendix IV.

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20084 07

ASCLME Mascarene and Seychelles- Pemba

8 October,

27 November

(40)

ACEP: African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme,

ASCLME,

IMR,

ISAM: Iziko-South African Museum,

MA-RE: Marine Research Institute, UCT,

NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

OMI: Mauritius Oceanographic Institute,

RU: Rhodes University,

SAEON: South African Environmental Observation Network,

SAIAB: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity,

SCMRT: Seychelles Centre for Marine Research & Technology,

SFA: Seychelles Fishing Authority,

UCT: University of Cape Town,

UM: University of Mauritius,

UWC: University of the Western Cape

To carry out the first multi-disciplinary cruise that encompasses the whole of the Mascarene Plateau and the adjacent basin.

To establish the distribution of organisms on a number of trophic levels and how these are affected by the reigning current system.

To establish, as far as possible, the productivity, biodiversity and biomass of the pelagic ecosystem.

To establish the interaction of the local currents and the ecosystem over the Mascarene Plateau.

To determine the nature of the South Equatorial Current as a driving force for the marine ecosystem of the Mascarene Plateau.

To investigate demersal fish species diversity.

To fulfil the data management agreement contained in Appendix A.

To deploy two ATLAS (Autonomous Temperature Line Acquisition System) moorings at 8°S; 55°E and 12°S; 55°E.

To deploy four ARGO profiling floats along 55°E.

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20084 08

ASCLME MozChann

28 November

17 December

(20)

ASCLME: Agulhas Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem

BCRE: Bayworld Center for Research and Education

IHSM: Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines

IIP: Instituto de Investigacao Pesqueira

IMR: Institute of Marine Research, Norway

IRD: Institut de recherche pour le développement, France,

MCM: Marine and Coastal Management

NMMU: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, SA

RU: Rhodes University,

SAIAB: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity

UB: Universitetet i Bergen, Norway,

UCT: University of Cape Town.

To carry out a multi-disciplinary cruise that investigates the physico-chemical processes that result in eddies subsidising the regional “Life-support System”.

To establish the distribution and composition of organisms at a number of trophic levels relative to eddies positions.

To establish, as far as possible, the productivity, diversity and biomass of the pelagic ecosystem.

To establish the role of eddies in linking coastal and pelagic biomes (coupling).

To define the physical and chemical nature of mesoscale anomalies.

To investigate the role of eddies as dispersal agents.

To investigate mesopelagic fish species diversity and abundance.

To link various sources of energy and nutrition to different food-web compartments.

Capacity building of ASCLME and SWIOPF trainees & young scientists.

To fulfil the data management agreement contained in Appendix A.

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Dowload the KML file for view in Google Earth

 Dowload the 2007 cruise report overview (PDF)

Survey No
Title

20074 01

BENEFIT Survey N.1 (Regional Hake)

10 January

5 February

(27)

South Africa,

Namibia

MCM,

UCT,

IMR,

Univ of Bremen,

BCLME,

Norad

Plan and conduct a transboundary survey from Cape Agulhas to Orange River to produce distribution maps and abundance estimates of the two species of hake

Do plankton sampling eggs and larvae

Collect data on the maturity stages of the hakes

Collect other relevant data on hakes,

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20074 02

BENEFIT Survey N.2 (Hypoxic)

7 February

23 February

(17)

Namibia,

Angola

MCM, South Africa,

NatMIRC, Namibia,

INIP, Angola,

ZMT, Germany,

AWI – Germany,

MarZoo, Germany, and

IMR, Norway

Hydrographic Investigations

Zooplankton Studies

Distributional and physiological studies on Euphausiids

Studies on Ichthyoplankton

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20074 03

BENEFIT survey N.3 Angola Demersal

24 February

25 March

(33)

Namibia,

Angola

INIP, Angola,

IMR, Norway

MCM, South Africa

To survey, map and describe the distribution, composition and abundance of the main demersal species

To collect biological data of the main demersal species for future analysis

To monitor the general hydrographic conditions using a CTD-sonde on each trawl stations and map the temperature, salinity and oxygen along standard INIP hydrographic profiles.

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20074 04

BENEFIT SURVEY N. 4 (Hake early life)

30 March

16 April

(18)

Namibia

South Africa

Institute of Marine Research IMR, Norway,

MCM, South Africa University of Cape Town, South Africa

To plan and conduct a transboundary survey to produce Biology maps of eggs and larvae from M. capensis and M. paradoxus.

To sample the adult population of M. paradoxus.

To check the gonadosomatic index of a representative sample of the females.

To collect relevant environment data to better understand the environmental impact on the distribution of hakes and on the drift lanes for eggs and larvae.

To collect genetic samples of the two species of hake at adult and juvenile stage

Collect benthic samples to study the effects of trawling on the species

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20074 05a

1)SURVEYS of the fish resources of the WESTERN GULF OF GUINEA

5 May

29 May

(24)

Institute of Marine Research (IMR) Norway,

CIPA, Guinea Bissau,

CNSHB, Guinea,

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Sierra Leone,

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Liberia,

University of Ghana.

To map the distribution and estimate the acoustic abundance of the main pelagic species / groups in the region

To describe the distribution, composition and estimate the abundance of the main demersal species on the shelf by a swept-area trawl programme • to collect bottom sediment samples to map the benthic biodiversity in the region.

To collect zooplankton samples for distribution and species identification

To map the general hydrographic regime by using a CTD-sonde to monitor the temperature, salinity and oxygen at bottom trawl stations

on-the-job training on the main survey routines

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20074 05b

2)SURVEYS of the fish resources of the EASTERN GULF OF GUINEA

3 June

6 July

(33)

University of Ghana,

Centre de Recherches Océanologiques, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,

Ministry of Fisheries, Ghana,

Division des Pêches et de l’Aquaculture, Lomé,

Centre de Recherches Halieutiques et Oceanologiques du Bénin,

Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research,

Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal industry, Cameroon,

SRHOL, Cameroon,

Ministerio de Pesca y Medio Ambiente, Equatorial Guinea,

Direction Générale de la Pêche et de l’Aquaculture, Gabon,

Direction Générale de la Pêche et de l’Aquaculture, Congo,

University of Bergen, Norway,

IMR, Norway

To map the distribution and estimate the acoustic abundance of the main pelagic fish species / groups in the region 

To describe the distribution, composition and estimate the abundance of the main demersal fish species on the shelf by a swept-area trawl programme 

To collect stomach samples of commercial important fish species to increase knowledge on food and feeding habits 

To collect bottom sediment samples to map the benthic biodiversity in the region. 

To collect phytoplankton and zooplankton samples for distribution and species identification 

To map the general hydrographic regime by using a CTD to monitor the temperature, salinity and oxygen at bottom trawl stations and on hydrographical transects 

on-the-job training of local participants covering main survey routines

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20074 06

Survey of the fish resources of Angola

7 July

10 august

(33)

Instituto Nacional de Investigação Pesqueira, Luanda, Angola,

IMR, Norway

To estimate the abundance and to map the distribution of the main commercially important pelagic and semi-pelagic fish species in Angolan waters.

To collect gonads, stomachs and otoliths from both horse mackerel and sardinella species, and to collect depth stratified samples of zoo and phytoplankton in order to continue the studies on feeding biology, relating stomach contents to estimated zooplankton compositions and densities.

To map the general meteorological, hydrographical and biological conditions in the survey area.

On-the-job training for the local and regional participants on the main survey routines.

To measure target strength (TS) of Angolan pelagic species.

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20074 07

Hake Multidisciplinary SA

14 September

21 September

(8)

MCM, South Africa

NATMIRC, Namibia

IMR, Norway

This is a short survey to compensate for loss of time due to technical fault during survey 2007404. The results are included in the report of survey 2007404

20074 08

Survey of the Living Marine Resources of Mozambique

27 September

21 December

(84)

IIP, Mozambique

IMR, Norway

Ecosystem survey • to map the distribution and estimate the acoustic abundance of the main pelagic species / groups in Mozambique. • to describe the distribution, composition and estimate the abundance of the main demersal species on the shelf by the swept-area trawl method. • to collect bottom sediment samples to record the benthic biodiversity at specific locations. • to collect zooplankton samples for distribution and species identification. • to map the general hydrographic regime by using a CTD and a surface salinograph to monitor the temperature, salinity, oxygen and fluorescence at bottom trawl stations and on specific hydrographical transects. • on-the-job training on the main survey routines Special studies • Special studies in areas off Quirimbas and Bazaruto national parks (including detailed 3D bottom topography mapping, benthos and sediment sampling, UW photography/video). • Baseline pollution assessments based on the above mentioned studies (sediment analyses) • More detailed survey of the St. Lazarus Bank and other banks /sea mounts in the Mozambican channel (during return to Maputo at the end of the cruise). Additional priorities, after internal discussions at IIP with commercial stakeholders and other partners, included also current measurements around the Saint Lazarus Bank. It was also stressed from Mozambique that the whole survey should have a broad focus on public outreach and on international cooperation.

 Dowload the 2005-2006 cruise report overview (PDF)

Survey No
Title

2006401

Benefit
Gobies

10 January 
22 January

(13)

2006402 

Benefit
SA West Coast – Hake

27 January
26 February

(30)

2006403

Demersal Resources

28 March
31 March

(4)

 Angola Investigate on demersal resources

2006404

Oil Fish Impact Training

1 April
19 April

(19)

2006405

Fish Resources

28 April
16 May

(19)

Guinea Bissau,
Liberia

 2006406

Fish Resources

18 May
7 June

(20)

Côte d’Ivoire, Benin   

 2006407

Fish Resources  

9 June
20 July

(42)

Nigeria, Congo   

2006408

Pelagic Resources  

21 July
21 August

(31)

Angola

 2005409

Efficiency Bottom Trawl  

 28 August
17 September

(21)   

2005410

Orange River  

 26 September
17 October

(23)  

BCLME

2005411

Pelagic Resources  

30 October
20 December

(52)

North West Africa