I N C O R P O R AT I N G
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
I N C O R P O R AT I N G
South African Association for Marine Biological Research (RF) NPC
Non Profit Company: Registration Number 1951/000002/08
Public Benefit Organisation: Number 930025295
Non Profit Organisation: Number 000-347NPO
Physical Addess:
Postal Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Websites:
1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban 4001, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
PO Box 10712, Marine Parade 4056, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
+27 31 328 8222
+27 31 328 8188
info@saambr.org.za
www.saambr.org.za | www.ori.org.za | www.seaworld.org.za
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013–June 2014
© South African Association for Marine Biological Research (RF) NPC, 2014
ISSN 0259-0050
Edited by:
Judy Mann, Denis Browne, Bruce Mann, Larry Oellermann
Photo credits:
SAAMBR staff
Map:
Bronwyn Goble
Cover photo:
Camilla Floros
Design & layout:
Earth & Oceans Developments (info@earthandoceans.co.za)
Printed on Triple Green using environmentally responsible printing practices.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Foreword
3
Oceanographic Research Institute
4
uShaka Sea World
10
uShaka Sea World Education
16
Finance and Administration
20
Publications List
24
SAAMBR Council and Staff
26
MEMBERS
South African Association for Marine
Biological Research (RF) NPC
SAAMBR COUNCIL
Oceanographic Research
Institute
uShaka Sea World
uShaka Sea World
Education
Finance and
Administration
Purpose Statement
To contribute to the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity and resources, by generating and disseminating
scientific information, and inspiring and empowering people.
Oceanographic Research Institute
Undertakes applied, problem-solving research, to contribute to the sustainable use of marine resources and the conservation
of marine biodiversity in KZN, the South West Indian Ocean, and beyond.
uShaka Sea World
Inspires people to enjoy and appreciate our marine heritage and empowers people to care for our environment.
uShaka Sea World Education
Builds an understanding of the importance of the marine environment amongst learners, educators and resource users from
all sectors of the community.
Finance and Administration
Provides a solid support structure that encompasses sound business practices to ensure the seamless integration of SAAMBR.
Foreword
In its sixty-three years of existence, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) has grown from a
small marine biological research station of 16 employees housed in an aquarium consisting of one 700 m3 seawater exhibit, to a
complex, multi-divisional organisation employing more than 190 people.
From the initial team of founding Director Dr. David Davies and his research assistant, focussing on shark research, SAAMBR’s
Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) division has grown to include a robust complement of more than 40 scientists,
technicians, assistants and students, involved in a diverse range of marine science related research fields. ORI’s influence in the
marine science arena has grown from local, to national and now regional significance, participating in research projects in many
countries bordering on the Western Indian Ocean.
SAAMBR’s aquarium division, now known as uShaka Sea World, currently manages the largest oceanarium complex in Africa,
consisting of seven large (> 300 m3) and 45 smaller aquarium exhibits, with a combined sea water volume of more than
“
Our focus in 2013
was to reconnect the
divisions, to rekindle the
‘unity within diversity’
that makes SAAMBR such
a unique organisation.”
22 000 m3. The facility includes the only dolphinarium in Africa, a seal stadium, penguin rookery and a herpetological exhibition
hall, known as Dangerous Creatures.
The growth of the divisions has necessitated a growth in administrative support. From one staff member, the Finance and
Administration Division has grown to the current efficient team of 14 staff members. This division is well placed to cope with the
increasing emphasis on governance so prominent in South Africa today.
SAAMBR’s evolution and growth over the years has resulted in three thriving operational divisions. However, while each division
operates effectively independently, there is a need to rekindle the “unity within diversity” that makes SAAMBR such a unique
organisation. For this reason, our focus in 2013 was to reconnect the divisions. This was carried out at many levels, from ensuring
that each staff member knows that they individually play an important role in achieving SAAMBR’s Mission; to encouraging our
teams to interact more freely with staff from the other divisions; to undertaking strategic management workshops with the
divisions and to developing policies with which all staff members can identify, such as the Conservation Ethics Policy. The
Association has long since proved its value, viability, and competency as an organisation. It is now poised to concentrate the
combined potential of its operational divisions on SAAMBR’s core purpose: the conservation of our marine and coastal resources.
Thank you for your greatly valued support; in the past, the present and into an exciting future.
Larry Oellermann
Chief Executive Officer
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
The importance of SAAMBR’s education role was recognised in 1976, when an Education Officer was employed for the first time,
to manage a group of voluntary education guides. The Education Department was eventually formalised in 1993. Now known as
uShaka Sea World Education, this division manages the educational visits of some 100 000 children to uShaka Sea World every
year, in addition to its innovative outreach programme, adult training courses and many other educational activities.
3
Oceanographic Research Institute
ORI was involved in 46 projects during the year.
Over half of the projects were in KZN, but 9% were
of national and 35% were of regional significance.
ORI undertook more than 60 field trips during the
year, amounting to at least 574 person-days in the
field: in KZN, the Eastern Cape, Mozambique,
Mayotte, Madagascar and Reunion, and offshore
aboard research vessels.
Notably, ORI scientists spent more than 650
hours involved in advocacy work for the marine and
coastal environment and donated more than 1 000
hours of personal time for “goodwill” activities.
ORI produced two books during the year; Ugu
Lwethu – Our Coast summarises our knowledge of
the KZN coast, and the third edition of the
Southern African Marine Linefish Species Profiles
summarises all of the published scientific
information for 139 South African fish species.
In addition to the two books, ORI scientists and
graduate students produced 15 peer-reviewed
journal articles, two PhD theses and six MSc
theses.
Oceanographic Research Institute
Quantifying the value of the research of the Oceanographic
Research Institute (ORI) is not an easy task – how do you put a
value on the marine ecosystems which sustain the livelihoods
of thousands of people, and how do you value the coast of
KwaZulu-Natal, which provides employment, income
generation, recreation and spiritual solace for the people of
the province? These tangible benefits arise from the
ecosystems which ORI studies to ensure that these natural
systems continue to be managed in such a way as to provide
the maximum benefit to the people of South Africa.
Unique long-term research
Changes in nature usually happen slowly, over decades rather
than years, and one of the strengths of ORI’s research is the
long-term nature of much of the data collected. In an era of
rapid assessments, long-term data sets provide invaluable
reference points and clear pictures of change – pictures that
are simply not possible in short term projects, but which are
essential for understanding human impacts and how to
address these impacts while ensuring benefits to people.
Some of ORI’s monitoring projects have been running for more
than 30 years, collecting information on the use of KZN’s
natural resources (such as linefish, molluscs and crustaceans)
and ecological and environmental change (e.g. estuaries and
coral reefs). The information gathered from these long-term
projects is used by local and national government agencies to
determine policy on the use of KZN’s natural resources, and to
predict the effects of climate change.
Sharing our knowledge
While research provides the scientific basis for decision making
at all levels of government, the translation of research into a
language which is accessible to people is an increasingly
important aspect of our work. With support from the provincial
Environmental Affairs directorate, ORI published Ugu Lwethu –
Our Coast, a book which summarises the latest information
available on the province's coastal environment, including:
physical features; ecosystems; socio-economic and commercial
use; threats; legislation and management. The book will be
used during the development of a coastal management
Advocacy and goodwill
An often overlooked but nonetheless important role that ORI
scientists play in the greater community at a provincial,
national and even international level can be summarised as
“advocacy and goodwill”. These are the activities that ORI
scientists undertake for the greater good of marine science,
conservation and the environment. At the international level,
these included ORI’s involvement with the World Conservation
Union (IUCN). ORI scientists, mostly during their free time,
revised the Global Red List of Endangered Species assessments
for 46 species of fish. At the national level, our scientists were
involved in the development of the National Marine Research
Plan, the National Maritime Roadmap Strategy Plan and are
involved in various advisory groups. At the provincial level, ORI
assists the local authorities with various marine and coastal
issues; and provides support to a number of local nongovernment organisations.
Collaboration for conservation
The effective conservation and management of our marine and
coastal resources requires a multidisciplinary and collaborative
approach to research. ORI's scientists participated in a large,
multi-organisational and multidisciplinary research expedition
to Madagascar during the year. The research aimed at
investigating the similarity between marine species living
along the south-eastern coast of Madagascar and those found
along the KZN coast, and the ocean transport mechanisms
that would allow such genetic connectivity to occur. This
information will provide valuable information for the
management of these trans-oceanic resources.
ORI scientists were involved in a series of research cruises to
selected sites in the mid-shelf region off the KZN coast.
Biodiversity samples were taken at these sites using a range of
methods, from nets and sediment grabs to high-tech Baited
Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS) and video
transects using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). These
cruises were part of a multi-organisational and
multidisciplinary research project funded by the African
Coelacanth Ecosystem Project (ACEP).
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
programme for KZN. ORI scientists were also involved in a
major review of the Southern African Marine Linefish Species
Profiles and produced the fourth edition of this valuable
publication, in association with other scientists from around
South Africa.
5
Foraminifera – tiny but useful
This is a big name for a tiny animal that can tell us an
important story. Foraminifera are primitive, single celled
organisms that build internal shells (tests) primarily using
calcium carbonate.
The focus of this student research project undertaken in
Sodwana Bay, is on the large benthic foraminifera (LBF) –
although at less than half a millimetre in size, they are still very
small. They live on coral rubble in warm, shallow marine
environments. They have a short life cycle, living only for 3 to 6
months and, because of the calcium carbonate in their tests,
when they die their tests become a part of the sediments that
help to build up the reefs. They are, therefore, among the
primary carbonate producers in coral reef ecosystems and can
provide clues about changes in the environment. A changing
climate and associated ocean acidification will probably
adversely affect them, as calcium carbonate is susceptible to
increased acidity. Research is underway at Sodwana Bay to
better understand the potential influence of climate change
on calcifying marine organisms such as foraminifera. To do
this a habitat comparison study was designed to test if the
present day LBF populations associated with Two-mile Reef
were similar on or off the reef, and in two different sediment
types. To see if current LBF populations were the same as
those that were around during past climates, four sediment
cores were collected and the layers of sediment deposition
were mapped. Carbon dating was used to determine the age
of foraminifera deposited at the core end, which was dated
back to about 1270-1030 years ago. This information will help
us to understand the environmental conditions of the past,
and will give us a glimpse into the future, as our climate
continues to change.
SA’s most successful marine citizen science project celebrates 30 years
The Oceanographic Research Institute’s Cooperative Fish
Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP) was the brain-child of past ORI
director Rudy van der Elst and was initiated in 1984. After 30
years the project is still going strong and is undoubtedly one
of the most enduring and successful citizen science projects of
its kind in South Africa.
By the end of 2013, 5 390 anglers had joined the project, of
whom 3 672 had tagged one or more fish. In the Tagging
Project’s 30 year history over 273 400 fish from 368 different
species have been tagged and released, of which 14 217
(5.2%) have been recaptured. This alone is a huge conservation
achievement! The five most commonly tagged species to date
include galjoen, dusky kob, dusky shark, garrick/leervis and
spotted grunter.
Amongst the many thousands of recaptures, some of the most
outstanding include a red steenbras tagged in the Tsitsikamma
National Park in 1989 and recaptured off Kei Mouth in 2011,
22.1 years later; a yellowfin tuna tagged off Cape Point and
recaptured near the Seychelles some 5 200 km away; a
ragged-tooth shark tagged at Southbroom in 1988 and
recaptured in Mossel Bay in 2011, 22.6 years later and a
yellowbelly rockcod tagged in the Pondoland MPA and
recaptured no less than nine times on the same reef over a
three-year period! It is these incredible recaptures that make
this project so exciting and beneficial.
Information from the Tagging Project has been extensively
used and the results generated by this project have
contributed significantly to linefish management in South
Africa. But, perhaps most importantly, this project has had a
positive impact on improving angler awareness and
knowledge about our linefish resources.
The concept of “tag-and-release” initiated by this project, has
partly been responsible for changing the ethics of the
recreational fishing community, many of whom are now more
informed and release their catch, thereby contributing to a
more sustainable fishing future.
A living laboratory – the St Lucia Estuary
Often when we look at an ecosystem we imagine that what
we are looking at has always been there, however this is
seldom the case as ecosystems change in response to
climatic changes and disturbance by humans. Estuaries are
considered to be environmentally stressed areas, because of
their high degree of variability. With their different habitats
and changing physico-chemical characteristics, estuarine
animals and plants are generally well adapted to deal with
environmental stress, but their ability to cope with changes is
disturbed when a prolonged climate event, such as a drought
is coupled with extreme human manipulation. This can
disrupt the natural ecological function of the system.
A good example of this is the largest estuary in the country,
the Lake St Lucia estuarine complex. In the past, St Lucia
shared a common mouth with the Mfolozi River, but for over
sixty years people have manipulated the mouth, with serious
implications for the biota and functioning of the estuary.
Human changes have been exacerbated by a decade of severe
drought, which occurred between 2002 and 2011. The drought
resulted in the estuarine area decreasing by an estimated 90%.
The separate mouths were reconnected in 2012.
Since 2007, ORI has monitored the drought response of St
Lucia and its recovery after the re-establishment of the
common mouth. This has provided an opportunity for
estuarine scientists to document the response of the
composition, distribution, abundance, and health of
invertebrates and fish to changes in freshwater flow. Through
this living laboratory, scientists have been able to investigate
the tolerances and thresholds of these animals to changes in
their environment.
Catches of sharks have increased drastically during the past
twenty years, largely because of increased demand for their
fins and meat. In addition to targeted catches, there has
been an increase in shark bycatch in the tuna and swordfish
longline fisheries. Shark life history traits, such as slow growth
rate, long gestation period, long life spans, and low
reproductive rates contribute to their vulnerability to
overfishing.
As critical components of the ocean ecosystem, shark bycatch
in longline fisheries is a focus of interest at ORI. With funding
from the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Programme
(SWIOFP), an MSc student analysed historic data of shark
catches made by pelagic longliners off the east coast of South
Africa and investigated aspects of the biology and life history
of shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus. His research aimed at
improving the management of shark bycatch. Surprising
results from the study were that nearly all makos caught by
longliners were immature, and that the smallest individuals
occurred near the Agulhas Bank edge, possibly a nursery area.
By comparison, makos caught near the coast in shark nets
were often mature, and much larger than those caught by
longliners. Several females caught in the KZN shark nets were
pregnant, suggesting that some pupping occurs in shelf
waters. The stomach contents of makos caught in shark nets
consisted mostly of other sharks and rays, whereas those
caught further offshore by longliners consisted of smaller fish
species. Thus, larger prey size may be a factor that attracts
large makos to coastal waters.
Further projects are currently under development at ORI to
continue shark bycatch research. One focus will be to use
genetic barcoding to solve the species identification problem
that is common among requiem sharks caught in longline
fisheries. Students will also look at the mercury levels found in
shark meat, as high mercury concentrations can be toxic to
humans. Ultimately the team hopes to use this information to
improve the management of ecosystems, through a better
understanding of fisheries bycatch.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Shark bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries
7
Surrogates for biodiversity
Biodiversity is critical to maintain the long-term stability of
ecosystems; particularly under unstable environmental
conditions. Areas of high biodiversity are valued for the free
goods and services that they provide and they need
protection from degradation. The problem is that effective
resource management and marine conservation of coastal
and offshore systems requires a detailed understanding of
the many different types of habitats present in an area, and
the number and type of marine organisms that these habitats
support. If every bit of knowledge and data were to be
collected on every component of an ecosystem, mapping of
areas of high biodiversity and marine conservation
importance would lag far behind mankind’s greed to use
available marine resources. Fortunately, new research is
showing that simple estimators or “surrogates” that are living
or non-living parts of an ecosystem, can be used as effective
substitutes of biodiversity importance.
ORI, in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the South
African National Biodiversity Institute, has embarked on such
a study, funded by the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Project.
This project is using many attributes of, or associated with
the seabed, to corroborate ecological zones that have been
selected using biodiversity surrogates for regional, national
and provincial conservation plans. Scientists and students
have begun the task of collecting information on the water
column, sediment characteristics, zooplankton, bottom fish
and sediment-dwelling invertebrates that characterise
prioritised habitats on the KZN shelf. The project has afforded
scientists the opportunity to use different technologies for
data gathering, such as ROV and BRUVS alongside traditional
methods of sampling and laboratory analysis. These allow us
to reach beyond the realms of scientific dive capacity and a
great deal of new information has already been learnt about
the ecology of the KZN shelf.
Reef fish connectivity in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
South Africa’s coral reefs are located along the Maputaland
coast of KwaZulu-Natal. They are biologically diverse and
economically important. The reefs are situated within two
long-standing marine protected areas (MPAs) that extend for
approximately 150 km. The management of these extensive
ecosystems requires an in-depth knowledge of connectivity
between reef units, as certain reefs are zoned as no-take
sanctuaries, while others are multiple-use zones, where
activities such as SCUBA diving and fishing are permitted.
No-take sanctuaries are important, because they represent
undisturbed ecosystems and have the potential to replenish
fish stocks in the adjacent areas where fishing is allowed,
through spill-over. Recent studies have shown that the notake sanctuaries have significantly larger predatory species, at
greater abundances, than the multiple-use zones. In order to
manage the MPA zones properly, it is thus important to
determine which of the reefs are acting as sources or sinks of
juvenile and adult fish.
Building on the knowledge acquired though long-term
monitoring of surf zone fish populations, ORI has embarked
on a project to investigate the connectivity in fish populations
between the different reefs in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
(IWP). The project has two components: 1) an investigation of
the movement of adult fish between reefs, using acoustic
telemetry; and 2) the geographic patterns of genetic variation
in fish populations between the same reefs. Potato bass and
green jobfish were selected as the indicator species, because
of their ecological significance on the reefs.
During the past year, 11 acoustic receivers were installed at
specific locations within the IWP, and 40 fish were tagged with
acoustic transmitters. In addition, fin-clips were collected from
each individual for the genetics study. Preliminary results
indicate that potato bass are highly resident, while green
jobfish are more mobile between reefs. Detailed analyses of
the data will help determine home-range size of the species as
well as movement patterns in relation to human activity. The
results of this project will yield valuable information to assist
in the effective management of the Maputaland MPAs.
uShaka
SeaSea
World
uShaka
World
A total of 717 980 visitors experienced the
wonders of the oceans during a visit to uShaka
Sea World during the period.
The team continued to focus on sustainability
and a number of new ideas to save water and
electricity were initiated.
A total of 15 sea turtles were rehabilitated and
released back to the ocean.
The ray family expanded and 21 rays were born at
uShaka Sea World.
The Pickersgill reed frog, an endangered species,
was successfully bred.
Selso, a southern elephant seal, was successfully
rehabilitated and released, with a satellite tracking
device to monitor his movements.
A collaborative project between ORI and uShaka
Sea World saw the first spawning of corals in an
exhibit.
uShaka Sea World
The role of uShaka Sea World in connecting people to the
unfamiliar realm of the oceans is the foundation upon which
many of SAAMBR’s educational opportunities are built.
Healthy animals in well maintained environments are critical
to achieving our goals of inspiring and empowering visitors.
The uShaka Sea World team are dedicated to ensuring the
health and welfare of every animal in our care.
Immersion experiences
uShaka Sea World is unique in its ability to provide visitors
with many immersion experiences; opportunities to become
submerged in a magnificent underwater world. While labourintensive, the educational and emotional impact of these
experiences is immense. The captivating Snorkel Lagoon
offered 15 789 excited visitors an opportunity to experience
the miracle of swimming amongst beautiful fish and sharks
during the year. Almost 4 000 visitors got up close and
personal with the rays and fish whilst doing the Ocean Walker
experience, and 375 people experienced the gentle thrill of a
Ray Feed. In the large shark exhibit, home to two enormous
brindle bass, as well as a variety of large sharks, 5 830 brave
visitors experienced the sharks in their own environment –
helping to dispel many myths and fears.
Equally important in dispelling myths and encouraging
respect was the Dangerous Creatures exhibition hall. The
60 118 visitors who were introduced to the many reptiles,
amphibians and spiders living there, left with an increased
awareness, and hopefully empathy, for these much maligned,
but essential, components of the Earth’s web of life.
The daily presentations of the dolphins, seals and penguins
continued to provide a major attraction and an opportunity to
convey our conservation message to our visitors. Almost 600
visitors had an intimate and memorable encounter with either
a dolphin or a seal. These magnificent marine mammals and
their dedicated animal behaviourists have enabled hundreds
of thousands of visitors to be fascinated and inspired about
life in the oceans through their daily presentations.
Planning for the future – exploring aquaculture options
After the success of abalone farming, the focus in South
African mariculture is now on the dusky kob, Argyrosomus
japonicus. However, in today’s complex world of regulations,
governance, procurement, technology, logistics and
marketing strategies, developing a new industry is almost
Behind the scenes
The technical, operational and animal health teams are the
unsung heroes who keep the water and pools clean, the
animals healthy, the machinery operating and the life support
systems in perfect condition. Not only do they focus on
animal health, hygiene and pristine water quality, but they are
continually striving for optimal functioning, whilst decreasing
our impact on the environment.
The Variable Speed Drive (VSD) installation on all large pumps
has been completed, allowing for a considerable reduction in
electricity consumption.
While mammal and bird training has been critical for animal
husbandry for many years, to facilitate improved animal care,
this year uShaka Sea World started an animal training
programme with turtles and nurse sharks, and even octopus.
Visitor research
The visitor research programme has started to reveal
interesting results about the impact that a visit to uShaka
Sea World has on the knowledge, attitude and conservation
impossible. For this reason, all the kob farms in South Africa
have agreed to work together to help to develop the
industry, under the banner of MFFASA. This governmentrecognised producer association has a wide range of
members. SAAMBR is an associate member, along with other
academic institutions, who have an interest in developing
the dusky kob farming industry through applied research.
uShaka Sea World has a population of large mature dusky
kob; these animals are exceptionally valuable brood stock.
The aquarium is also home to one of the first ever captivebred populations of dusky kob. Some of these first
generation fish are currently on loan to four operational kob
fish farms, for breeding. Genetic samples from these fish and
their progeny will provide the industry with useful
information to help the farmers develop effective breeding
programmes.
behaviour of visitors. Preliminary results of the Penguin
Promises campaign have shown that a high percentage of
visitors who make a promise to change their environmental
behaviour, actually do so at home – and can explain what they
have done. This is a very positive finding and demonstrates
the impact of a visit to uShaka Sea World.
Another interesting finding is the strong impact of the various
animal presentations, with most visitors attributing their
desire to change their environmental behaviour to a
motivating presentation.
uShaka Sea World is a unique facility – the exhibits are
innovative, fun and educational, the animals are awe inspiring
and beautiful, and the staff are incredibly dedicated to
providing each animal with the best possible care. It is this
combination of staff, animals and environment which makes
uShaka Sea World so special.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
As pressure on marine resources increases daily and stocks
drop ever lower, with some desirable species becoming very
difficult to obtain, people are looking increasingly to
aquaculture to meet the global demand for fresh seafood,
and to relieve pressure on wild stocks. With over 40 years of
experience in the care of fish, SAAMBR is perfectly positioned
to assist the fledgling South African aquaculture industry. In
fact, SAAMBR recently received official recognition from the
Marine Fish Farmer’s Association of South Africa (MFFASA), for
the Association’s ongoing support of mariculture in the
country.
11
Coral spawning: Integrating research and exhibits
Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems and
are currently under global threat from human activities and
climate change. Being unable to move, corals rely on the
dispersal of larvae to re-colonize damaged reefs and maintain
coral cover. The production of new offspring, the successful
settlement of larvae and their subsequent survival are vital for
reef maintenance and to recover from disturbance. These
processes are currently being investigated by ORI scientists.
Captive spawning in the laboratory is desirable, as it will allow
us to assess how climate change is likely to affect the corals’
early life history stages. Most corals are hermaphroditic and
produce both male and female gametes, which are released
(spawned) over a few nights each year. The month, day and
precise time of spawning is determined by water temperature,
lunar phase and photoperiod. Once released, bundles of eggs,
densely packed around a parcel of sperm, float to the water
surface where they separate for fertilization with gametes
from other corals. By synchronizing their release, each species
ensures more successful fertilization.
Working in the field, at night, when coral spawning occurs, is
often difficult because of environmental conditions. uShaka
Sea World has a magnificent live coral exhibit which has been
growing prolifically for more than seven years. Therefore, the
scientists and the aquarists joined forces to study spawning
in the exhibit. After a few nights of no action, eventually, on
a moonlit night the corals in the uShaka Sea World exhibit
started to spawn, exactly as they would have on a real coral
reef. Watching the bundles of sperm and eggs rising to the
surface was a magical moment and gave the team a positive
feeling of success. Not only are our corals behaving exactly as
they would in the wild, but they are contributing to research,
and introducing people to the magnificent diversity of our
local reefs.
Sharks and ray surgery at uShaka Sea World
In the last year the Animal Health Department was presented
with some unique and challenging cases. Two of these
required a little bit more from the team.
The flapnose rays in the Turtle Lagoon were harassing the
turtles during feeding time. Wasabi, a green turtle, snapped at
one of them. This unfortunately caused some trauma to the
nose of one of the rays. The team quickly removed the injured
ray from the exhibit and rushed it down to the hospital section
in quarantine. Here it was sedated and started on antibiotic
medication. Without stitches this injury would have been fatal,
so we quickly prepared for surgery. A couple of well-placed
sutures solved the problem. Luckily for the ray, the bite
narrowly missed his eye, and he retained his vision and has no
long-lasting injuries! A short stay in the hospital section, a
couple of injections, and some special attention from the
quarantine staff, and the ray recovered so well that he does not
even carry a noticeable scar. The ray is back on display, and
staying well away from those snappy turtles.
The new bowmouth guitarfish suffered similar problems.
Shortly after being introduced to the Open Ocean exhibit, he
had a quarrel with the existing guitarfish. He suffered a small
bite to the tip of his tail. Though small, the bite wound caused
the skin to separate, forming a small “tunnel” in his tail-tip.
This required special surgery, where the sutures needed to
be placed in such a way that the wound would remain closed
under tension. To make sure that the sutures did not cut into
the skin, thin plastic tubing was placed over them. This
required some muscle power as shark skin is tough! The
wound has closed well, and even though some scarring is
evident, it does not seem to be bothering him too much.
We do not often do surgery in the Animal Health Department,
but when required, the team is up for the challenge to ensure
that each animal receives the best care possible.
Sustainability in action in the Life Support Systems
A drop of water travelling from the ocean into uShaka Sea
World, through the piping network and out again, travels a
distance of 33 kilometres and passes through 219 pumps.
Over 380 cubic meters of water passes through these pipes
every hour. This means that we use an enormous amount of
electricity to move and clean water. Our challenge was to
reduce our energy consumption without compromising water
quality.
The installation went smoothly and on completion the speed
of the motors was reduced. The results have been a saving in
electricity use of 434kw per month, which equates to a
R200 000 per month saving. This is good for uShaka Sea
World as well as for the environment as the installation of
the VSDs has resulted in a 163.93 ton of CO2 per month
reduction in carbon emissions. The quality of the water has
remained just as good.
An initial electricity audit established how much electricity the
equipment used. This information formed the basis for an
energy reduction plan. It was decided to install 69 Variable
Speed Drives on the existing large exhibit pump motors. This
would reduce the speed and power consumption, whilst
ensuring adequate flow rates, with the pump delivery valves
fully open.
Energy saving is now a focus in all life support operating
systems as the Technical Team continues to investigate
options for reducing consumption and alternate energy
sources. Their motto of “Every watt counts” is proving that
sound environmental responsibility and good technical
expertise are a powerful combination in our drive for
sustainability.
Why water quality matters
Monitoring water quality means checking on many different
parameters such as temperature, pH, nutrients (ammonia,
nitrate, nitrite and phosphate), oxygen, salinity and
conductivity – most tests are done in each exhibit at least once
a day. Each exhibit has a particular range for each of the water
quality parameters – if the water quality is out of range for any
of the tests performed, the team need to take immediate
action to ensure that the problem is rectified.
The temperature of the water is critical as the animals are very
sensitive to changes in temperature. A complex system of
chillers ensures that the temperature of the water is just right
– cooler for the cold water animals and warmer for the more
tropical species.
Ammonia levels are also monitored as any waste and food that
accumulates forms ammonia, which breaks down to nitrites
and nitrates. In high doses these are harmful to the animals.
The team monitor nutrient levels daily and, if higher than
normal levels are noted, fresh sea water is quickly added.
Sterilising agents such as ozone are used to clean the water.
Ozone is very powerful and its use is carefully monitored
through a complex system of electronic probes, to ensure that
it does not harm the animals.
The water quality team work closely with both the husbandry
team, who care for the animals, and the technical team, who
care for the life support equipment. Together they are able to
ensure that the animals in our care are able to swim in water of
the best possible quality.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Water provides aquatic animals with their life support – just as
clean air is essential for our wellbeing, water is critical for the
survival of the animals in our care. Water provides the animals
with a medium for breathing, waste removal, body
temperature control and movement. At uShaka Sea World we
have a team of specialists who ensure that optimal water
quality is maintained.
13
Seal rehabilitation and release
Sea World started with the rehabilitation and release of stranded seals in 1984. These seals were tagged with engraved metal
flipper tags and released. Unfortunately, these tags fell off easily and the engraved numbers were difficult to read at a distance.
Of 19 seals successfully tagged and released since 1984, only two seals were sighted again. Both seals had been released off
Durban into the Agulhas Current. One was sighted 6 weeks later at Kelso and the other a month later near Port Edward. So we
knew where they had been released and where they had been re-sighted, but we knew nothing about their journey between
those two points.
In 2013, a southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), later named Selso, washed up on the KZN South Coast. The seal team
responded to the call for assistance from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. It is unusual for southern elephant seals to strand on the KZN
coastline as they normally inhabit the sub-Antarctic region. This little male seal was exhausted, starving, had a deep wound under
his chin, and was riddled with parasites – he clearly needed help and was transported to the uShaka Sea World rehabilitation
centre.
“
To date, no other
stranded southern elephant
seal has been rehabilitated,
tagged and released off
South Africa. Selso’s
progress, based on satellite
information, will assist with
guiding future decisions
regarding seal rehabilitation
and release.”
On admission Selso weighed 73kgs – less than half of what he should have weighed as a 22-month-old seal. The uShaka Sea
World animal care staff liaised with veterinarians and scientists both internationally and locally to ensure that we were able to
offer him the best medication and chance of recovery. He proved to be a fast learner and within days was feeding. He remained
under daily observation and within two months Selso had gained 30kg. In collaboration with Oceans and Coasts (Department of
Environmental Affairs), the University of Pretoria and Bayworld, it was decided that the best option for Selso would be for him to
be released, once he had achieved a weight of 180kgs and had completed his first moult.
Once he had reached his target weight, a satellite tag, which would transmit Selso’s position each time he surfaced to breathe,
was fitted to his head. The tag will fall off during the next annual moult. Final measurements showed that Selso had grown
300mm and had gained 107kg in 6 months. Selso was released 25 nautical miles due south of Port Elizabeth.
Three weeks after release, Selso had travelled 2 000km and was roughly 400km west of Marion and Prince Edward islands. Four
months after release, Selso had almost made landfall in the Antarctic. In July he was spotted on Marion Island. By the end of July
he was back in South African waters! If we had only tagged him with a conventional tag it would have appeared that he had only
travelled a few hundred kilometres, when in fact Selso had covered well over 10 000 kms.
To date, no stranded southern elephant seal has been rehabilitated, tagged and released off South Africa. Selso’s progress, based
on the satellite information, will assist with guiding future decisions regarding seal rehabilitation and release.
Selso won people’s hearts and helped to highlight the fact that, no matter where we live, we are all connected in the amazing
web of life. Our thanks to all of the participants in this project – it really was a team effort – proving yet again that the passion and
commitment of individuals is really what makes projects like this succeed.
uShaka
SeaSea
World
uShaka
WoEducation
Education
In November 2013 Sea World celebrated
20 years of marine education outreach
to disadvantaged schools.
In April 2014 uShaka Sea World welcomed
its millionth learner since 2004.
97 006 Learners and teachers were involved in
education programmes at uShaka Sea World.
Lessons were given to 9 035 learners at 83
schools in disadvantaged communities.
15 workshops were conducted for 364 teachers.
Education at uShaka Sea World was made
possible with the assistance of 51 Volunteer
Guides who contributed 8 632 hours of service.
Over 2 100 daily commentaries were given by
Guest Relations Guides in uShaka Sea World.
57 Grade 9-11 learners attended Marine Careers
workshops designed to assist them make
informed subject choices.
uShaka Sea World Education
Society today is increasingly removed from reality – many
children around South Africa are more familiar with a screen
than their own backyards. To a child, a dinosaur is as real as a
dolphin – both inhabit the virtual reality of a screen. How do
we encourage children to love the natural world – before we
ask them to save it? The Sea World Education Centre has, for
over 40 years, provided the children of South Africa with a
unique opportunity to see live marine animals, an opportunity
which is often not possible anywhere else. In April 2014
uShaka Sea World welcomed its millionth learner since 2004.
This means that over one million young South Africans have
experienced a personal connection with our marine
environment – a connection which may light a spark of interest
and hopefully a long-term love of nature. In fact, some of our
most prominent marine advocates today credit their love of
our oceans to a visit to Sea World, in their youth.
20 years of Marine Outreach
The Outreach programme, which celebrated 20 years of marine
education outreach to disadvantaged schools in November
2013, has continued to flourish. In the past the programme
consisted of one lesson at each school and, if funding allowed,
a visit to uShaka Sea World and a lesson. In the review period a
total of 9 035 learners attended lessons in their schools and the
visits of 863 learners to uShaka Sea World were sponsored. At
the start of 2014 the Outreach team decided to focus more
intensive education on fewer schools. The team commenced a
trial with eight schools, to see if increased interaction with the
learners at school and at uShaka Sea World, as well as
involvement in a longer term environmental project, would
improve understanding and facilitate more action for
conservation. Results so far are positive and an evaluation will
assess the potential of this model into the future.
The annual Marine Week competition was again hosted by the
Outreach team. SAAMBR sponsored the transport costs for 97
learners to attend the event. The standard of performances was
high, as learners enthusiastically dramatised their
interpretation of what is wrong with the ocean and how it can
be put right.
Ten years of working with visitors towards sustainable seafood
The ORI staff, together with other scientists across the
country, raised concerns about a number of South Africa’s line
fish species in the 1990s. This lead to the declaration of a crisis
in the line fishery in 2000. In December 2001, SAAMBR
designed and displayed the first Sustainable Seafood exhibit
in Africa, in the old Sea World aquarium complex. The simple
exhibit, researched by ORI scientists and designed by
volunteers of the Education Department, focussed visitors’
attention on the impact of their selection of seafood on fish
stocks and fisheries management using a simple colour
coding system. Since then, the concept of sustainable seafood
has grown and in late 2004 the Southern African Sustainable
Seafood Initiative (SASSI) was launched by WWF-SA. SAAMBR
has contributed to the programme in three ways – firstly
through the provision of scientific advice on the compilation
of species lists and assessments; secondly through sharing
Inspiring new marine scientists
Inspiring new marine scientists and conservationists is crucial
if we are to address the enormous skills shortage in these
fields in South Africa.
information with visitors, and lastly through the training of
restaurant staff.
The classification of a fish species is assessed regularly in order
to respond to changes in the fisheries and to meet international
standards. This is done with input from ORI scientists who have
a deep understanding of both the management and biology of
many of the popular fish eaten in our restaurants.
The concept of sustainable seafood has remained one of the
three primary messages of the uShaka Sea World visitor
interpretation programme. Each year more than 700 000
visitors are introduced to the SASSI concept through engaging
infographics, commentaries and personal conversations with
staff. Sustainable seafood is also an integral part of school
courses.
have become regular workshop attendants. This demonstrates
the value of our workshops and increases our potential to
really influence educators.
Training educators
The training of educators remained an important aspect of our
work and 15 workshops for 364 teachers were conducted. Nine
workshops were conducted at uShaka Sea World, and six were
conducted in community areas where the Outreach Team had
been doing lessons. Over the years a group of core educators
Education is not limited to schools and children – learning
truly is a lifelong process. In fact, formal education probably
accounts for less than 20% of the life of an individual. The term
“free-choice learning” has been introduced to describe the
learning that occurs out of formal education – such as when
we watch a documentary, read, or visit an aquarium or
museum. This means that every visitor to our complex is, in
fact, a learner! In order to optimise their learning, and our
ability to convey our conservation messages, a new portfolio
was introduced, focussing on the visitor experience. The
position will ensure the quality of the visitor experience, as
well as ensuring that a consistent message is conveyed
throughout our facility. Exciting new guest experiences have
been developed, enabling more visitors to experience the
wonder of a close encounter with one of our special animals.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Visitor learning
Through programmes ranging from an intensive five-day work
experience, through our regular two-day Marine Career
workshops, to off-site interactive presentations, over 700
aspiring young marine scientists were exposed to
presentations and activities hosted by a range of scientists and
students or had the opportunity to work in the uShaka Sea
World departments. The off-site programme reached learners
at three schools in disadvantaged communities within
eThekwini Municipality and introduced the learners to the
fascinating careers of SAAMBR staff.
15
17
The SAAMBR heroes
“I want to volunteer at Sea World”. This is a phrase we often
hear – but who are these people who give so freely of their
time and skills?
A volunteer at SAAMBR is a person who is dedicated, has a
strong interest in marine life, a desire to learn and the drive to
make a difference through their work. They come from all
walks of life and backgrounds but all have one thing in
common – a love for the ocean and its creatures.
Volunteers play a vital role in the functioning of uShaka Sea
World through their assistance in four sectors, namely the
Education, Aquarium, Mammal and Animal Health
departments. The assistance rendered includes presenting
school courses and guiding, interacting with guests in the
aquarium, feeding animals, food preparation, cleaning
exhibits, monitoring water quality – in essence, doing
whatever needs to be done.
The volunteers go through a selection process after applying
to join the volunteer body. Once interviewed, they undergo
specific training depending on which department they
volunteer for. Theoretical and practical training is facilitated
by experienced staff and volunteers are assigned suitable
mentors. This ensures that the volunteer learns on the job,
building up a thorough understanding of the importance of
their work, as well as the necessary skills and knowledge.
Their work is vital to SAAMBR. In the words of Sherry
Anderson, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are
worthless but because they are priceless”. Our grateful thanks
go to every volunteer for their selfless dedication to SAAMBR.
Giving back to rural communities
In preparation for the opening of uShaka Sea World in 2004,
SAAMBR embarked on a recruiting drive to employ new divers
and aquarists. A logical starting point was Sodwana Bay, where
many young people grow up familiar with the thriving local
dive industry. A number of aspiring youngsters subsequently
joined our team and were trained as commercial divers. This
team formed the core of our dive team and most moved on to
become aquarists at uShaka Sea World.
In 2010 the Sodwana aquarists suggested that we take our
Outreach team to Sodwana Bay, so that the youth of the area
could meet members of their own community, who have left
the area and become successful in careers which they may
never have even heard of – after all, how many rural
youngsters know what an aquarist does?
The idea was enthusiastically embraced and since then five,
week-long, trips to Sodwana Bay have been undertaken each
year by a joint contingent of Education Outreach staff and
aquarists originating from the Sodwana Bay area. They have
met with the Tribal Authority in the area, Department of
Education officials, given lessons on marine ecosystems and
coral reefs with primary school children and presented Marine
Career courses with senior school learners. They have done
many workshops with hundreds of educators in the area and
met with members of the local dive industry.
On the community front, before each visit, SAAMBR staff
donate clothing to the project. This clothing is then handed
out to needy families, identified by community leaders, in the
rural area around Sodwana Bay.
This unique project has helped to inspire young people to both
care for our oceans, as well as to consider new careers. The
opportunity to meet someone from their own community has
proved invaluable and the pride of both the community and
our own team is evident on these visits. SAAMBR has worked in
Sodwana Bay for over 40 years and this is a wonderful initiative
which strengthens the links between SAAMBR and the local
community both socially and scientifically.
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uShaka Sea World Learners
footfall from
visiting
theuShaka
openingSea
to 30
World
June 2013: 6 308 406
uShaka Sea World welcomes its millionth learner
When teachers and learners from Kokstad Junior Primary
School arrived for a day of fun and education in April 2014,
they had no idea that one of their children would be uShaka
Sea World’s millionth learner. As the excited learners entered
the premises, they were carefully counted until number
1 000 000 arrived. Mbali Sifold looked overwhelmed as a sash
was proudly placed over her shoulders.
Mrs Birgitta Mackensie, a teacher at Kokstad Junior School,
who organised the excursion as part of their annual Grade 5
tour, was overjoyed when it was announced that one of her
pupils was the millionth learner. Kokstad Junior School has
been visiting Sea World annually for more than 20 years. She
praised the staff and volunteers who always put so much
effort into making their visit not only educational, but a day
to enjoy and remember with many fond memories.
The aim of the Education programme is to interact with each
learner whilst showing them a small window into the ocean.
Most of the learners who visit us have never seen live marine
animals before and stand in awe as they witness the majesty of
life under the oceans’ blanket. We strive to engage with each
learner to inspire them to care about the oceans through our
iconic animals.
We caught up with Mbali Sifold a couple of hours after she had
arrived and asked her how she was feeling. “I cannot wait to
tell my parents and my sisters about my first trip to the sea – it
has been a most wonderful day and I am not shy anymore”.
Asked what her favourite animal at uShaka was and she
replied without hesitation – the dolphins. Mbali is 10 years old
and lives with her mom and dad and two sisters in Kokstad.
Although she had already learned about the effects of
pollution at school she said that as she watched Gambit throw
rubbish in the recycle bin during the dolphin presentation she
decided that she would try to always remember to put her
litter in the bin. Who knows, perhaps Mbali will go on to lead
conservation initiatives in her community after a little spark of
love was lit by a special dolphin.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
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Finance
and
Administration
uShaka
Sea
World
SAAMBR received an unqualified Audit
Report
Total revenue for SAAMBR was R63.5
million
Total income for ORI was R7.6 million
Total expenditure for SAAMBR was R62.6
million
Estimated value of media was R5.9 million
SAAMBR has 14 emergency and 110 Standard
Operating Procedures which incorporate Health
and Safety.
The revamping of the dolphinarium was
undertaken over a period of eight weeks, with no
safety incidents.
SAAMBR retained PAAZA (Pan-African
Association of Zoos and Aquaria) accreditation
Finance and Administration
“In completing our oceanarium we have fulfilled our promise to the
City Council, who provided our wonderful site, that we would furnish
a public amenity worthy of the position. This has also provided us
with an income that allows us to look forward confidently to our
intention, namely, to develop our oceanographic and marine
biological research activities in conjunction with world-wide
projects; to work with the government and to assist the provincial
authorities in their efforts to preserve our marine and inter-tidal flora
and fauna and lastly but by no means least to carry out research
with a view to increasing the food supply to the under-nourished
section of our population.” This was written in the first SAAMBR
Bulletin in December 1960 by the President of the SAAMBR
Council, Dr George Campbell. The words are just as pertinent
today. One matter that has not changed over time is the
prudent and responsible management of SAAMBR’s financial
resources and access to funding so that SAAMBR can continue
as a going concern and as a leading conservation organisation.
The Financial and Administration Division provides the
foundation for SAAMBR through the provision of financial
management, accounting, secretarial, information technology,
database management, human resources, health and safety,
compliance, public relations and general office management
support.
Finances
In the year under review SAAMBR received a Subsidy from the
eThekwini Municipality of R56 517 064. SAAMBR continues to
demonstrate that its finances are well managed and the
budget is tightly controlled. As a result SAAMBR was able to
effect a saving against the Subsidy of R2 924 002. This was
attributable to an additional R1 340 528 of research income
brought into account and operating costs were 3% less than
budget. The total income, including interest, for the financial
period was R63 529 508 and the cost of operating SAAMBR
was R62 638 721.
The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) generated
R7 638 043 in research revenue during the review period from
contributions towards specific research projects and specialist
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2014
uShaka Sea World footfall from the opening to 30 June 2014: 7 026 419
services. Locally, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department
of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, the National Research
Foundation and the National Department of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries demonstrated their commitment to
SAAMBR and provided funding for a range of projects. On the
international front, contributions were received from the South
West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP), the World Bank
and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
(WIOMSA). Funding from specialist services to local, provincial
and international organisations also generated an income. We
express our gratitude to all the organisations for their
contributions to SAAMBR’s research activities.
Governance
During the year the SAAMBR King III application review was
undertaken. Approximately 41% of the Code has been
applied, compared with 34% in 2011, 9% is partly applied,
compared with 26% in 2011, 23% may still be applied, and
27% has been determined by SAAMBR to be not applicable
to the organisation.
A Special Resolution was approved by the Members at the
Annual General Meeting on 18 November 2013. The intention
of the Special Resolution was to amend the founding
document so that it clarifies and correctly reflects the
governance structures of the organisation.
Wise leadership
At the AGM, Mr Barry Rebeck was unanimously elected as
President for a second term. During the year, Mr Chris
Rudham retired from the SAAMBR Council after 18 years, 13
of which he served on the SAAMBR Executive Committee and
was also Chairman from 2004 to 2013. Mr Roy Phillips retired
from the SAAMBR Executive Committee after nearly a quarter
of a century during which time he served for 12 years as
Chairman and six years as President. The duly nominated
representative of the Durban Marine Theme Park SOC Limited
(RF), Mr John Russell, stepped down from the SAAMBR
Council after 3 years.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
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Microwave – Real broadband
Communication has become the cornerstone of our operations
for everything from submitting papers to sourcing journal
articles, discussing an animal health related problem with a
vet overseas to communicating with children in distant
provinces. Everything we do requires an efficient internet
connection.
In October SAAMBR moved to a new internet connection via
the South African National Research Network (SANReN). The
SANReN connects South Africa’s research organisations,
universities and other tertiary education institutions to each
other via a high speed 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) ring. The
network is operated by TENET (The Tertiary Education and
Research Network of South Africa) who also manage the links
to the rest of Africa, the Middle East and Europe via dedicated
bandwidth on the SEACOM and WACS submarine cables.
To connect to this incredible resource SAAMBR installed
microwave radio equipment on our premises and at the
University of KZN where we link into the fibre optic backbone.
This gives us up to 300 Mbps (megabits per second) of
bandwidth, a huge increase over the 5 Mbps we struggled
with previously. It is also much more appropriate for an
institute of our size and importance to South African marine
research and conservation.
There are many more immediate benefits including internet
conferencing and sharing large files and data sets. The
bandwidth also means that SAAMBR can now host the IT
infrustructure for large scale regional collaborative projects.
For the first time SAAMBR is well positioned in terms of
Internet resources to collaborate on an equal footing with
larger organisations.
Conservation ethics
As a marine conservation organisation, SAAMBR believes that
the conservation and welfare of animals in the wild is critical;
so too is the welfare of the animals with which we interact
in our scientific, animal care and educational activities. The
Association has, therefore, developed a conservation ethics
policy, to ensure that all interactions with live animals are
undertaken in the most ethical and humane manner possible.
The policy governs all interactions between SAAMBR
employees and living organisms, both within the premises
of uShaka Sea World and in the field.
proposed interaction complies with international best
practise. In addition to an official policy, the SAAMBR
Conservation Ethics committee, comprised of the SAAMBR
division directors, a Council member, a veterinarian and
members of staff, meet regularly. The aim of the committee
is to ensure that any interactions between staff and living
organisms are carefully and ethically considered. Whilst the
minimum standard will be based on international best
practice, the association will always aspire to exceed these
standards.
Integral to the policy is a decision-making tree which is
applied to all decisions. The first step in the decision-making
process is to determine whether the proposed activity
complies with the laws, rules and regulations of the country in
which it will take place. The second step determines whether
the interaction contributes positively to SAAMBR’s
conservation ethic; i.e. “to contribute to the conservation of
marine and coastal biodiversity and resources”. The final step
in the decision-making tree is to determine whether the
SAAMBR has been an accredited member of the Pan-African
Association of Zoos and Aquaria for more than eight years.
This is in recognition of our high standards of animal care,
our educational initiatives and our research.
Through its conservation ethics policy and committee,
SAAMBR aims to subscribe to, comply with, or exceed
international peer-reviewed accreditation standards in all
human-animal interactions.
Our heartfelt thanks
SAAMBR would like to particularly acknowledge the significant
and ongoing support of the eThekwini Municipality.
The Province of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Agriculture
and Environmental Affairs is thanked sincerely for their
commitment to SAAMBR's research projects.
We remain truly grateful to all of the organisations that support
and have funded SAAMBR’s research activities.
We are grateful for the support of the Heads of Department
and staff from the Provincial Department of Education, as well
as the National Department of Science and Technology.
SAAMBR acknowledges the many veterinarians and support
staff from South Africa and internationally, for their guidance
and assistance.
We are extremely appreciative of the Trustees of the Sea
World Foundation for Research, Education and Development,
for their valued contribution to the activities of SAAMBR.
We wish to recognise and thank the persons on the SAAMBR
Council for their wise leadership. Their commitment to
SAAMBR is unparalleled and has been instrumental in leading
the Association through many challenges.
The SAAMBR staff and volunteers are thanked for their ongoing dedication, hard work and commitment.
In summary, we are very grateful to everyone who makes our
important work possible. South Africa’s oceans and our
people would be a poorer place without your commitment.
Communicating our stories
SAAMBR featured in over 244 print articles, 41 radio mentions
and 26 television inserts which represented 5.98 features
per week. These figures are only representative of media
generated nationally by SAAMBR’s activities and do not
include media generated by uShaka Marine World. Electronic
articles continue to increase steadily as is shown by the
increase from 25 in 2011/12, 82 in 2012/13 to 117 this year.
The total value of identified national media generated was
R5 922 578, a remarkable achievement for our single SAAMBR
media liaison officer.
Selso, the southern elephant seal, won the hearts of South
Africans after SABC flighted his story on various news
channels. The media continued to show interest in his progress
throughout his six months stay in rehabilitation, his release
and his amazing journey post release.
uShaka Sea World has enjoyed and continued to enjoy a
healthy relationship with YoTV, an SABC 2 education
programme which regularly featured stories from the
aquarium. They attract on average 4.5 million young viewers,
most of whom will never enjoy the privilege of visiting uShaka
Sea World and we are grateful for the opportunity YoTV afford
us in extending our conservation message beyond the
physical borders of uShaka Sea World.
Our website remaines our primary tool for electronic
communication and a total of 70 new articles were posted on
the website during the year. Media is increasingly electronic
and SAAMBR is investigating how to best use these new
avenues to communicate effectively with a broader audience.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Ensuring that the activities of SAAMBR are communicated
effectively and efficiently is the role of the media team.
Although maintaining good relations with the media is not
difficult when interesting material is available almost daily,
managing the media is not always easy as different media
compete for stories and the potential for sensationalism is
always there. However, over the years the team has
developed good relationships with many key role players
and these relationships are carefully nurtured.
23
SAAMBR Publications List (July 2013-June2014)
Books
1. Goble BJ, van der Elst R, Oellermann LK (eds.). 2014. Ugu Lwethu – Our Coast, A profile of coastal KwaZulu-Natal. Department of Agriculture and
Environmental Affairs & the Oceanographic Research Institute, Cedara.
2. Mann BQ (ed.). 2013. Southern African Marine Linefish Species Profiles. ORI Special Publication 9. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban.
Book chapter
1. Mann JB, Vernon CL. 2013. Using aquariums and their visitor experiences to promote ecotourism goals: issues and best practices. In: Ballantyne
R, Packer J (eds.) International Handbook on Ecotourism. Glos: Edward Elgar. pp 452-463.
Papers in scientific journals
1. Floros C, Schleyer MH, Maggs JQ. 2013. Fish as indicators of diving and fishing pressure on high-latitude coral reefs. Ocean and Coastal
Management 84: 130-139.
2. Goble BJ, van der Elst R. 2013. Trends in coastal development and land cover change: The case of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Western Indian
Ocean Journal of Marine Science 11(2): 193-204.
3. Goble BJ, Lewis M, Hill TR, Phillips M. 2014. Coastal Management in South Africa: Historical perspectives and setting the stage of a new era.
Ocean and Coastal Management 91: 32-40.
4. Hussey N, McNeil M, McMeans B, Olin J, Dudley S, Cliff G, Wintner S, Fennessy ST, Fisk A. 2014. Rescaling the trophic structure of marine food
webs. Ecology Letters 17(2): 239-250.
5. Kilian H. 2013. The effect on attitudes of particular teaching methods used in an environmental education programme. Southern African Journal
of Environmental Education 29: 192-201.
6. Mkare TK, von der Heyden S, Groeneveld JC, Matthee CA. 2014. Genetic population structure and recruitment patterns of three sympatric
shallow-water penaeid prawns in Ungwana Bay, Kenya, with implication for fisheries management. Marine and Freshwater Research 65:255-266.
7. Moloney CL, Fennessy ST, Gibbons M, Roychoudhury A, Shillington F, Von Der Heyden B, Watermeyer K. 2013. Reviewing evidence of marine
ecosystem change in South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 35(3): 427-448.
8. Porter SN, Kaehler S, Branch GM, Sink KJ. 2014. Riverine subsidies for inshore filter-feeder communities: potential influences on trophic patterns
among bioregions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 498: 13-26.
9. Robey J, Fennessy ST, Everett BI, Santos J, Groeneveld JC. 2013. Abundance and biology of the langoustine Metanephrops mozambicus
(Nephropidae) on deep-water trawl grounds in eastern South Africa. Journal of Crustacean Biology 33(6): 760-771
10. Robey J, Fennessy ST, Everett BI, Santos J, Groeneveld JC. 2013. Distribution and biology of knife prawn Haliporoides triarthrus on deep-water
trawl grounds off eastern South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 35(4): 565–577.
11. Robey J, Groeneveld JC. 2014. Fecundity of the langoustine Metanephrops mozambicus Macpherson, 1990 (Decapoda, Nephropidae) in eastern
South Africa. Crustaceana 87(7): 814-826.
12. Santos J, Rouillard D, Groeneveld JC. 2014. Advection-diffusion models of spiny lobster Palinurus gilchristi migrations for use in spatial fisheries
management. Marine Ecology Progress Series 498: 227-241.
13. Van Niekerk L, Adams JB, Bate GC, Forbes AT, Forbes NT, Huizinga P, Lamberth SJ, Mackay CF, Petersen C, Taljaard S, Weerts SP, Whitfield AK,
Wooldridge TH. 2013. Country-wide assessment of estuary health: An approach for integrating pressures and ecosystem response in a data
limited environment. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 130: 239-251.
14. Weerts SP, Mackay CF, Cyrus DP. 2014. The potential for a fish ladder to mitigate against the loss of marine-estuarine-freshwater connectivity in a
subtropical coastal lake. Water SA 40(1): 27-38.
Conference Proceedings
1. Maggs JQ, Mann BQ, Cowley PD. 2013. Fish movements in the Pondoland Marine Protected Area: balancing conservation and fisheries
enhancement. In: Attwood C, Booth T, Kerwath S, Mann BQ, Marr S, Duncan J, Bonthuys J, Potts W (eds). A decade after the emergency: The
proceedings of the 4th Linefish Symposium, Langebaan, 16-20 April 2012. WWF South Africa Report Series 2013/Marine/001: 70-80.
2. Smith AM, Guastella LA, Goble BJ. 2014. Forecasting lagoon outlet erosion: KwaZulu-Natal, southeast Africa. In: Green AN, Cooper JAG (eds),
Proceedings of the 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue 66: 151-155.
Theses
1. Duncan M. 2013. The genetic stock structure and distribution of Chrysoblephus puniceus, a commercially important transboundary linefish
species, endemic to the South West Indian Ocean. MSc thesis, Rhodes University, 133 pp.
2. Hein L. 2014. Biodiversity of soft sediment macrobenthic fauna of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight midshelf. MSc thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
178 pp.
3. Kiper IE. 2014. Phylogeography of the snapper kob Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider 1801) from the South West Indian Ocean. MSc thesis,
University of Pretoria, 114 pp.
4. Lee B. 2013. The biology of and fishery for king mackerel Scomberomorus commerson (Scombridae), along the southern Mozambique and
KwaZulu-Natal coast. MSc thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 158 pp.
5. Massé L. 2014. Comparison of scleractinian coral reproduction and recruitment on tropical (Reunion) and subtropical (South Africa) reefs in the
South Western Indian Ocean. PhD thesis, University of Reunion, France. 172 pp.
6. Séré MG. 2014. Identification and aetiology of diseases associated with scleractinian corals in the south-west Indian Ocean. PhD thesis,
University of Reunion, France. 160 pp.
7. Untiedt CB. 2014. Structural dynamics and changes in macrobenthic communities and trophic groups within and between three feature areas
of the Natal Bight. MSc thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 197 pp.
8. Zacarias LD. 2013. Genetic population structure of deep-water prawns Haliporoides triarthrus and langoustines Metanephrops mozambicus in
the South West Indian Ocean: use of mitochondrial DNA to investigate metapopulation structure. MSc thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Durban: 93 pp.
Selected Unpublished Reports (including consultancies)
1.
Everett BI, Santana-Afonso P, Jiddawi N, Assan C, Wambiji N, Dharmendra D, Boinali K, Andriamaharo T. 2013. WIOFish database: A catalogue of
small-scale fisheries of the western Indian Ocean: Annual Report. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 187 p.
2. Everett BI (ed.). 2014. An inventory and brief description of the marine and estuarine fisheries along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. ORI Unpublished
Report 312. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 106 pp.
3. Fennessy ST. 2013. Terms of reference for the MASMA call for proposals for commissioned research to address by-catch problems in artisanal and
semi-commercial fisheries in the WIO region. ORI Unpublished Report 309. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 22 pp.
4. Granmo A, Oellermann LK. 2013. Towards a research development program for the Marine Biology Research Station on Inhaca Island, University
of Eduardo Mondlane. Report prepared for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. SIDA, Maputo, Mozambique. 26 pp.
5. Groeneveld JC, Everett BI, Fennessy ST. 2014. Regional capacity building through advanced data analysis and writing of scientific publications
based on recent deep-water crustacean trawl surveys in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. Workshop Report, Marine Science for
Management Programme. Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, Stone Town, Zanzibar. 20 pp.
6. Groeneveld JC, Fennessy ST, Everett BI, Robey J. 2014. Rapid assessment of the state of commercial fisheries and main species exploited in
Tanzania. Specialist Report for World Bank Project Development team for SWIOFish Project. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 77 pp.
7. Mackay CF, Sheppard J, Weerts S, Goble B. 2014. Biophysical assessments of the Zinkwazi and Nonoti estuaries: High and low flow surveys.
ORI Unpublished Report 310. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 160 pp and Appendices 126 pp.
8. Maggs JQ, Mann BQ, Els M, Govender RD. 2013. National Marine Linefish System: KZN recreational fisheries monitoring data collection by
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: 2012 Annual Report. ORI Unpublished Report 306. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban: 65 pp.
9. Mann BQ, Khumalo MC, Khumalo D, Maggs JQ. 2013. Boat Launch Site Monitoring System (BLSMS): 2012 Annual Report. ORI Unpublished Report
307. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 53 pp.
10. Mann JB. 2014. The uShaka Sea World Visitor Studies Research Programme. ORI Unpublished Report 311. Oceanographic Research Institute,
Durban. 18 pp.
11. Oceanographic Research Institute. 2013. Report to Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW and Coastal & Biodiversity Management), the KZN
Department of Agriculture & Environmental Affairs, the Department of Environmental Affairs (Branch – Oceans and Coast), the Department of
Fisheries and Forestry (Directorate – Fisheries) and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority on research activities for the period January 2012 to
December 2012. ORI Unpublished Report 308. Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban. 43 pp.
12. Rouillard D, Goble B, Winson T, Celliers L. 2013. Coastal access situational analysis for KwaZulu-Natal: 2006-2009. ORI Unpublished Report 2013/3.
Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban: 33 pp.
Other Publications
1. SAAMBR Bulletin No. 38
2. 10 X ORI Data Reports
3. Newsletters (Oricle, Tagging News, Ulwandle)
Conferences
1. 36 X Oral presentations at local, regional and international conferences and symposia.
2. 3X Posters presented at local, regional and international conferences and symposia.
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Popular Publications
1. Bodenstaff C. 2014. Selso – The story of an elephant seal. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 18: 72-73
2. Dunlop SW. 2013. The St Lucia Marine Reserve Surf-zone Fish Monitoring and Tagging Project. Environment – people and conservation in Africa
16: 19.
3. Dunlop S, Maggs J. 2014. Tagged poenskop recaptured after 18 years. Ski-boat 30(4): 9
4. Fennessy ST. 2014. Packing it all in – the Suitcase Project. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 19: 75.
5. Floros C. 2013. South Africa's Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 16:20
6. Goble BJ, van der Elst R. 2014. The Value of Coastal Ecological Infrastructure. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 18: 28-33.
7. Maggs JQ, Hattingh D. 2013. The National Marine Linefish System: 2012 spearfishing records from KZN. Ultimate Spearfishing Magazine 13: 22-23.
8. Maggs JQ. 2013. Monitoring the Pondoland Marine Protected Area. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 16: 18-19.
9. Mann BQ. 2013. A brief introduction to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 16:14-17.
10. Mann BQ, Mann JB. 2014. Marine Protected Areas. Submerge Magazine June/July: 8-10.
11. Mann BQ. 2014. Hot off the press: Southern African Marine Linefish Species Profiles. Environment – people and conservation in Africa 19: 74
12. Mann JB, Porter J. 2013. Sea World celebrates twenty years of Marne Education Outreach. Environment – people and conservation in Africa
16: 60 - 61
13. Mann JB. 2014. Snakes are scary – or are they? A preliminary evaluation of the Dangerous Creatures Reptile Exhibit at uShaka Sea World, Durban,
South Africa. International Zoo Educators Journal 50: 19 – 21
14. Mann JB, Ballantyne R, Packer J. 2014. International research on Zoo and Aquarium visitors – some new perspectives. WAZA Magazine 15: 18-21.
15. Mann JB, Harris G, Kortenbout K. 2013 uShaka Sea World - Penguin Promises Inspiring Behaviour Change. WAZA News 4: 18–19.
16. Oellermann L. 2013. What's in a name? Environment – people and conservation in Africa 14:62-63.
17. Porter J, Mann BQ. 2013. What fish is that? Environment – people and conservation in Africa 17: 60 -61.
25
SAAMBR Council and Staff (as at June 2014)
SAAMBR COUNCIL MEMBERS
President
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
Treasurer
Secretary
Members of Council
Non Council Member
*
+
>
<
<>
B.D. Rebeck*
R. Turner*
V. McMenamin *
J.B. Mann*
R. Turner*
J.P. Hathorn*
S.S. Abdool Karim+
C. Arunajallam >
A.C. Bawa
S.M. Buthelezi
M.W. Collins *
A.J.O. de Freitas
H.E. Karodia <
S. J. Leigh
G. S. Lomas-Walker*
S. Mukaratirwa +
R.E. Phillips
K. J. Pretorius*
H.C.Rudham (resigned 03/14)
J.T. Russell (resigned 10/13)<>
J.M. Senogles
P.K. Strauss*
Member of the SAAMBR Executive Committee
Nominated by the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Nominated by the eThekweni Municipality
Nominated by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial MEC for
Environmental Affairs
Nominated by Durban Marine Theme Park SOC Limited (RF)
STAFF
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Secretary
RESEARCH
Director
Administrative Assistant
Research Associate
Research Advisor
Senior Scientist
Scientist
Assistant Scientist
GIS Technician
Librarian
Project Liaison Officer
Senior Scientific Technician
Technician
Field Officer
Technical Assistant
Research Assistant
J.B. Mann MSC (Rhodes); BTech
(Natal)
T. Faber (until 12/13)
G. Campkin
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Director
D.O. Browne
Financial Manager
R. Clark CIS, B.Compt (UNISA)
Administration Officer
D. Haigh
Senior Bookkeeper
M.V. Landers
Financial Administrator
A. Khan
Finance Clerk
P. James
Assistant Finance Clerk
N. Shandu
Communications and Logistics A. Kunz ND Sec (Natal)
Administrative Assistant –
Receptionist
J. Pillay
Administrative Assistant –
PR Assistant
J. Dlamini
Messenger
S.S. Luthuli
IT Manager
P. Zammit BSc (UCT)
IT Technician
S. Hiralall
Data and Compliance Manager A. Kruger MSc (Natal)
Personnel Officer
H. Ashford
Post-Doc
Studentship
L.K. Oellermann MSc PhD (Rhodes)
R. Naidoo
R.P. van der Elst MSc (Natal)
M.H. Schleyer MSc PhD (Natal)
S.T. Fennessy MSc PhD (Natal)
J.C. Groeneveld MSc (UPE); PhD (UCT)
B.Q. Mann MSc (Rhodes)
C.F. MacKay MSc (UniZul)
B.I. Everett MSc (UKZN)
C.Floros MSc PhD (UKZN)
B.J. Goble MSc (Rhodes)
S.N. Porter BSc (Hons) (Natal); PhD (UCT)
E. Steyn MSc (UStell)
S.W. Dunlop MSc (UKZN)
J.Q. Maggs MSc (UKZN)
J.N. Sheppard MSc (Rhodes)
D.A.I. Rouillard MSc (until 12/13)
M. Tomalin BSc (Hons) (FS Uni)
G. Mutsvunguma BInfoSc (until 12/13)
F. M. Roberts MIS (UKZN)
A.S. Moor Dip R.R. (PRISA) (until 07/13)
T.J. Greyvenstein
M.C. Khumalo ND Bibl; BTech (Natal)
M. Els
R. Govender
D. Khumalo BA Envir (UKZN)
D. P. Hayes
G. Winfield
C.S. Mselegu
S.E. Mselegu
X.I. Mselegu
J. Robey MSc (UKZN) (until 11/13)
M. Janse van Rensburg MSc (UStell)
G. Jordaan BSc (Hons) (NMMU)
D. Pearton PhD (UWash)
J. Hart MSc (UKZN)
S. Laing MSc (UKZN)
C. Untiedt BSc (Hons) (UKZN) (until 03/14)
L. Hein BSc (Hons) (NWE) (until 03/14)
M. Reddy MSc (UKZN) (until 01/14)
S. Hayman BSc (Hons) (UKZN)
S. Collocott BSc (Hons) (UKZN)
S.M. Maduna BSc (Hons) (Unizul)
EDUCATION
Director
J.A. Porter BSc (Hons); HDE (UKZN)
Animal Behaviour Management G. A. Harris BA (Natal)
and Guest Experience
Education Admin Assistant
N. Mazibuko
Formal Education Manager
H. Kilian BSc (Hons); MEd Env.Edu (UNISA)
Informal Education Manager
M. Moodley
Support Services Co-ordinator M. Lephaila (until 11/13)
K. Drummond NDNC (TUT)
Visual Interpretation
V. Naidu BSoc.Sci (Hons) (UKZN)
Senior Guest Relations Guide
P. Soogrim
Guest Relations Guide 2
H. Ngcobo
N.Mchumu
Senior Educator
Educator
Senior Bookings Co-ordinator
Bookings Co-ordinator
Education Guides
Volunteer Education Guides
A. Koch
D. MacGillivray
A. Maharaj
G. Mazibuko
S. Meares
T. Mkhwanazi (until 12/13)
M. Moodley
S. Moodley
J. Moran
N. Khan
R. Nunn
C. Nuttall
L. Orchard
B. Payne
M. Phillips
C. Pillay
S. Ramsamy
J. Roberts (until 07/13)
K.Rout
A. Sacco
R. Singh
S. Smith
E. Stenhouse
M. Sturgess
B. Toughey
A. van der Merwe
C. Van Wyk
S. Watt
L. Wilson
K. Winstanley
uSHAKA SEA WORLD
Director
Personal Assistant
Mammal and Bird
Curator
Assistant Curator
Senior Operations Officer
Lead Behaviourist
Senior Behaviourist
Behaviourist 3
Behaviourist 2
Behaviourist 1
T. McEwan MSc (Rhodes)
K. Kortenbout
G. Drysdale M. Tech (Natal)
C. Bodenstaff
M. Hamilton
H. Tennant
S. Pillay (until 07/13)
K. de Klerk
D. Kuhn
K. Cahill
A. Sleeman
C. Bristow
M. Mtetwa
U. Macklin
L. Mbhele BSc (UNISA)
R. Bates
T. Shaw Msc (UP)
N. Lotter BSc Hons (UKZN)
V. Pillay (until 07/13)
S. Xulu (until 01/14)
T. Abrahams
B. Limbada
J. Ellerbeck
N. Le Grange
SAAMBR Bulletin 39: July 2013-June 2014
Guest Relations Guide 1
L. Shezi
C. Mkhize
N. Mtshali B-Tech Ncomb (MUT)
S. Ngubane (until 12/13)
Z. Shandu
N. Khuzwayo
M. Mtshali
B. Ntuli
D. Ntombela
S. Sibisi
S. Chiliza NDETM ( DUT); PGCE
(UNISA)
E. Chiliza
N. Mdlalose
T. Shandu
S .Shelembe
N. Sithole
M. Shoba
T. Blose
P. Luthuli
Z. Mkhwanazi
S. Khumalo
K. Ndlovu
T. Zondi
L. Ngcobo
S. Zakwe
N. Dlamini
L. Mthembu
M. Mabaso
M. Mhone
O. Khutsoane (until 12/13)
S. Mrawusi (until 12/13)
J. Sikhakhane (until 12/ 13)
H. Maphumulo (until 12/13)
M. Buthelezi (until 12/13)
X. Gumede (until 12/13)
C. Augustyn
S. Balding
B. Beekes
K. Baloi
G. Bright
N. Calenborne
E. Cook
K. Cooper
Z. Dawood
C. DeVilliers
P. Demmers
J. Dresner
R. Earle
S. Govender
S. Funston
D. Giraud
K. Govender
A. Gibson
S. Gibson
G. Grantham
S. Gumede
D. Hall
S. Jacobs
27
Assistant Animal Care
Apprentice Animal Care
Part-time
Maintenance and Cleaning
Aquarium
Curator
Assistant Curator
Administrative Assistant
Consultant
Senior Aquarist
Senior Herpetologist
Herpetologist 3
Herpetologist 2
Herpetologist 1
Aquarist 3
Aquarist 2
Aquarist 1
Senior Technician
Assistant Technician
Quarantine Aquarist
Kitchen Supervisor
Food Processor
Weekend Food Processor
C. Mdlalose
P. Baloi
U. Wahab
N. Singh
A. Marais
P. Ziegler
H.Pinkham BA (UP)
T. Nkabinde
S. Stewart
S. Dhunraj
S. Corneluis
M. Manqele
A. Magubane
S.A. Chater BSc (UPE)
P.A. Lotter BSc (Hons) (UKZN)
L. du Preez
J.A. Ballard BSc (Natal)
C. Smith
K. Fivaz BSc (Hons) (UPE)
K.F. Boshoff
C.M. Glancey
C.J. Schloms
L. Labuschagne
S. Hilliar
N. Evans
R. Kyle
M. Pather BSc (UKZN)
L. Botha
B. Ntombela
J. Haxton
K. Mlambo
M. Needham BSc (UKZN)
D. Loukes
M. Myhill B-Tech (NMMU George)
C. Wyness
G. Leisegang
J. Ganess ND Tourism
L. Khwela
J. Swartz
L. Jacks
M. Mhlongo
C. Koekemoer
S Zikalala
S. Bikka BSc (UKZN)
L. Dlamini
E.B. Khathi
M. Gumede
L. Msimango (until 05/14)
Life Support Systems
Curator
B.D. Fergusson BA (UNISA)
Assistant Manager Projects
Q. van Staden MSc (UPE)
Assistant Manager Maintenance
and Operations
S. Govender
Technical Admin Assistant
M. Mahoney
Senior Technician
Technician: Mechanical
Maintenance
Assistant Technician:
Mechanical Maintenance
Technician: Electrical
Maintenance
Assistant Technician: Electrical
Process Technician
Assistant Technician: Civils
Operations
Assistant curator
Dive Co-ordinator
Lead Diver
Dive Assistant
Service Diver
Night Shift Monitor
Veterinarian
Vet Nurse
Laboratory Manager
Laboratory Technicians
E. Peck
D. Waugh
S. Ngcobo
K. Randall
K. Delport
M. Ngcobo
Preston Govender
T. Bunsee
S. Nyawose
B. Dindi
S. Mthethwa (until 04/2014)
R. Ferreira
V. Zungu
S. Mthethwa
M. Malevu
E. Khumalo
V. Tshange
A. Msane
D. Nzuza
E. Victor
W. Sumpton
M. Magubane
W. Brown
R. Jordaan
I. Dawood (until 12/13)
J. Holmes (until 01/14)
T. Mthethwa (until 02/14)
A. Netsianda
G. Salmon
S. Gaskell
V. Stuma
C. Davis
K. Rabeling
S. Mbanjwa
P. Siyesu
S. Magubane
V. Hlekwayo
M. Shadrack
T. Mgaga
F. Lampen BVSc, Msc, Hons (UP)
C. Knox BVSc, Msc, Hons (UP)
L. Allen
G. Ramsamy BA (UKZN) (until 12/13)
J.P.Joubert BSc (Hons) (UKZN)
K. Govender ND Biotech (DUT) BSc (UKZN)
S. Sibisi ND Biotech (DUT)
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our
many partners, sponsors and supporters.
South African Association for Marine Biological Research (RF) NPC
1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | PO Box 10712, Marine Parade 4056, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Telephone: +27 31 328 8222 Fax: +27 31 328 8188 E-mail: info@saambr.org.za
www.saambr.org.za | www.ori.org.za | www.seaworld.org.za