History
Background
Scientific Services
Policy Statements

HISTORY

The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) stimulates community awareness of the marine environment through education and promotes wise, sustainable use of marine resources through scientific investigation.

SAAMBR fulfils this mission through operating the following divisions:
The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI)
Sea World Aquarium and Dolphinarium
Sea World Education Centre

Inspired by the natural beauty and rich coastal and marine biodiversity of KwaZulu-Natal, a group of conservationists, academics and fishermen undertook an expedition in 1947 to the remote northern part of the coast. While impressed with the diversity of marine life, they recognised the fragile nature of the ecosystems and the close interdependence between resources and coastal communities. Concerned about the future of marine conservation in South Africa, they conceived the establishment of a not-for-profit marine research organisation that would generate knowledge about marine and coastal resources and provide decision support for people and their leaders. As far as possible, funding would be self-generated through the operations of a public aquarium in the popular holiday town of Durban. The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) was therefore established in 1951. In 1959 the complex housing the Durban Centenary Aquarium, research laboratories and a fine library was officially opened, followed by the Dolphinarium complex in 1976.

In 2004, SAAMBR relocated to new premises at Ushaka Marine World and continues to serve the people of KwaZulu-Natal, while playing an increasingly important role in marine scientific endeavour in South Africa and other areas of the western Indian Ocean.

BACKGROUND

ORI is located at uShaka Marine World in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and its influence and collaboration has extended well beyond South Africa's borders to include Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Eritrea, Somalia and other countries of the western Indian Ocean region.

A team of experienced marine scientists and capable support staff constitute the ORI staff complement. Senior staff participate in numerous regional, national and international committees dealing with marine science and resource management.

ORI is affiliated to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, hence fulfilling a postgraduate training role in marine science for post-graduate students. ORI also contributes significantly to awareness and capacity building in marine science at various other levels in society. ORI has modest but effective facilities and equipment that include a comprehensive and up-to-date library, computer systems, fisheries databases, salt water aquarium and mariculture facilities, laboratories and competent underwater (SCUBA) survey capacities.

SCIENTIFIC SERVICES

A range of services in marine science is offered, including:

Scientific investigations:
· Quantitative resource assessment, including artisanal, recreational, small-scale and industrial fisheries of southern Africa
· Biodiversity assessment
· Resource use planning and development of management plans
· Sustainable coastal development
· Marine Protected Area (MPA) assessment
· Marine resource policy development
· Modelling of resource dynamics and usage
· Long-term monitoring of resource use
· Socio-economic assessment of marine resource use
· Marine related recreation and tourism
· Aquariology and mariculture

Training and capacity building:
· Supervision of post-graduate students.
· Specifically designed training courses for management and conservation agencies.

Consulting services:
· Impact assessment on marine resources and ecosystems

Areas of expertise include:
· Coastal resources such as fishes, sharks and invertebrates
· Coral reef ecosystems of the western Indian Ocean
· Estuarine resources, including prawns, crabs and fishes.

POLICY STATEMENTS

CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING
It is a policy objective of the ORI to promote the training of students and to foster the development of institutional and personal capacity in marine science. to this end, ORI contributes extensively to post-graduate supervision through the University of KwaZulu-Natal as well as at several other universities. ORI also runs training courses in other countries, often tailored to specific needs. It is ORI policy to enlist the collaboration of scientists from any host country that invites our expertise and, accordingly, many working relationships have developed between ORI and scientists in other countries.

EQUITY AND TRANSFORMATION

As a not-for-gain association established in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act, there is no ownership of SAAMBR and ORI as such. Instead, SAAMBR is constituted by membership, which is open to the public at a nominal annual fee. SAAMBR has a Council (Board), which is comprised of distinguished representatives from different sectors of society, including members of the Durban Unicity Council and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

SAAMBR, and its affiliates ORI and the Education department play a leading role in the training of historically disadvantaged people. ORI has academic links with the University of KwaZulu-Natal and each year trains post-graduate students, many of who have been female and/or black and are now employed in a marine science capacity.

SAAMBR is an equal opportunity employer conforming to the Employment Equity Act. SAAMBR strives to create training and career opportunities for historically disadvantaged individuals.