RESEARCH

Using non-invasive survey techniques like Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and Aerial Visual Surveys (AVS), we are assessing the biodiversity and ecology of the Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot. This research focuses on three distinct management zones including marine protected areas and exploited areas and is focused on assessing the baseline characteristics of this global biodiversity hotspot. Ultimately, we will track ecological changes as a function of changing climate and human use patterns.

Oceans are key climate regulators, provide food for millions of people and are engines for economic growth. The Blue Economy is an emerging concept that seeks to balance economic growth, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods of coastal communities. However, balancing these varied needs is incredibly complex and exceedingly difficult in the developing world. This project focuses on developing an ecosystem and ocean accounting system similar to the concept of GDP National Accounting Systems – for improved spatial management of sustainable ocean economies in the Overberg Region.

In collaboration with Northwest University and led by Dr. Bjoern Schaeffner and Dr. Ruan Gerber, we are assessing the biodiversity of poorly known shark parasites and the impacts of pollution on shark health. Having evolved over 440 million years, sharks are host to a unique array of endo and ectoparasites which have co-evolved and adapted to keep their hosts healthy. Despite this long co-evolutionary process, many of these parasites are now experiencing localized extinctions due to the continued over exploitation of sharks. This project provides basic biodiversity assessments of these important fauna, describes the taxonomy of species and quantifies how parasites influence the absorption of toxins into vital organs of sharks.