Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since 1969.
Engaged in a diversity of marine resource-use
and conservation studies, especially those
relating to management problems in small-scale,
recreational and artisanal fisheries, including: Investigations into estuarine fish populations
and sustainable resource use. Stock assessment and biology of linefish, including
the development of management strategies
and their applications. Development of long-term monitoring and assessment
strategies including the National Marine
Linefish System (NMLS) catch and effort
programme and the nation-wide fish tagging
project, both of which involve thousands
of end-users. Studies have also included elasmobranch fishes
and large oceanic predators such as billfish,
swordfish and white sharks. Currently participating in a number of collaborative
programmes involving other countries of
the West Indian Ocean region. Provides decision support to conservation managers
and government officials and has assisted
with environmental and fisheries policy
formulation for national and regional government. Supervision of post-graduate students.
PROF. MICHAEL SCHLEYER DEPUTY DIRECTOR: ORI
PhD (University of Natal, 1981)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since 1973.
Leader of the ORI Reef Biodiversity Programme
and the Invertebrate Fisheries Programme.
Research experience includes: Species
composition of corals, sponges and tunicates
on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) reefs on the East
Coast of Africa. Community
structure on representative reefs. Extent
of reproduction, larval dispersal and recruitment
of corals.
Environmental features that influence the
distribution of the major reef organisms,
including the oceanographic parameters that
effect larval dispersal.
Interactions between the reef organisms
and their production of toxic secondary
metabolites.
The condition of the reefs in terms of human
and climatic disturbances that result in
reef damage and coral bleaching.
Development of effective management plans
for the reefs.
Supervision of post-graduate students.
Provides decision support to conservation
managers and government agencies.
DR SEAN FENNESSY SENIOR SCIENTIST
PhD (University of Natal, 2001)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since April
1989.
Leader of the ORI Offshore Fisheries Programme.
Research experience includes: Investigation of non-target species (bycatch)
of prawn trawlers operating off the coast
of KZN, a description of the biology of
the major fish species, and an assessment
of the impact of trawlers on other fishery
sectors. Investigating methods to reduce the bycatch caught
by prawn trawlers on the KZN coast. Biological investigation and stock assessments
of several species of fin fish (Epinephelus
spp, Pomadasys commersonnii, Polysteganus
coeruleopunctasus). Surveys of the commercial and recreational hook
and line fisheries in the provinces of KZN
and the Eastern Cape, involving interviews
with fishers and inspections of catches. Co-ordinates the fisheries science module for
MSc and BSc (Hons) students. Supervises post-graduate students. Provides decision support to conservation managers
and government agencies.
DR JOHAN GROENEVELD SENIOR SCIENTIST
PhD (University of Cape Town, 2000)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since June 2008.
Leader of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries
Project (SWIOFP) team at ORI, and Regional
coordinator for SWIOFP research on Crustacean
resources in 5 countries.
Previous employment experience
includes: Senior scientist and head of lobster research / management
at Marine and Coastal Management (MCM; 1995-2006). Specialist scientist and fisheries advisor to the
Ministry of Fisheries Wealth in the Sultanate
of Oman (2006-2008).
Expertise includes: Biology, impacts of fishing gear, and sustainable
management of crustacean resources, particularly
deep-water and near-shore lobster populations. Migrations, larval dispersal, and genetic population
structure of widespread (and trans-boundary)
lobster resources in the SWIO and the southern
Atlantic Ocean. Assessment of commercial fisheries for certification
by Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or other
certifying bodies. Development of surveys at sea to explore new and existing
fish resources. Training of technical and scientific staff, and development
of externally funded projects. Supervision of post-graduate students at the Universities
of KwaZulu-Natal and Stellenbosch. Research Associate at Stellenbosch University. Publication of approximately 40 peer-reviewed scientific
articles in international journals, and
numerous popular articles and unpublished
technical reports.
MR BRUCE MANN SENIOR SCIENTIST
MSc (Rhodes University, 1992)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since 1992.
Leader of ORI's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Programme and the Linefish Research Programme.
Research experience includes: Study of the biology of two reef fish species in the
Tsitsikamma National Park. Investigation of the multiple usage of Lake St Lucia's
fish resources. Implementation of an experimental subsistence gill-net
fishery at St Lucia. Surveys of the commercial, recreational and subsistence
linefisheries in the provinces of KZN and
the Eastern Cape, which formed part of the first
National Linefish Survey. Editor of a book on the status of 102 South African
linefish species. Investigations on the age, growth and stock assessment
of a number of important linefish species. Marine biodiversity survey along the Pondoland coast
with the intention to establish a large
MPA in this region. Establishment of long-term fish monitoring and tagging
studies in the St Lucia MPA and the Pondoland
MPA. Supervision of long-term monitoring projects at ORI
including the Tagging Project, National
Marine Linefish System – KZN Recreational
Data and the Boat Launch Site Monitoring
System. Aerial surveys to determine angler effort along the
KZN coast Current chairman of the South African Marine Linefish
Management Association (SAMLMA). Supervision of post-graduate students and training
of conservation staff and resource users. Provision of decision support to conservation managers
and government agencies.
MS FIONA MACKAY SENIOR SCIENTIST
MSc (University of Zululand, 1996)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since March
2005.
Previous experience includes: Collaborative studies integrating abiotic (water
quality and habitat) and biotic aspects (community
structure and community metrics) for selected
estuarine types. Investigation of current status, baseline surveys
and biomonitoring of estuaries, including
comparison of succession trends in similar
estuaries and distinguishing anthropogenic
from climatic effects as manifested in zoobenthic
fauna. Description of the state of a river - coastal
lake - estuarine linked ecosystem, the effect
of an intrabasin transfer on selected components
of the resident fauna and rapid assessment
of Instream Flow Requirements of the invertebrates. Scenario-based biotic responses and implications
to potential freshwater deficits on macrobenthos,
macrocrustacea and avifauna of selected estuaries
with decision support under different freshwater
yield scenarios to the estuarine/marine, coastal
lake and river environments. Importance of northern KZN estuaries as conduits
for mass recruitment of Varuna Litterata
crab megalopae. Port of Richards Bay environmental monitoring
including development of monitoring programmes
and investigation of ballast water introduced
marine species (according to CRIMP protocols). Ecological impacts of dredge spoil disposal on
sandy beach, estuarine and nearshore marine
ecosystems. Specialist ecological investigator for various
projects (sewage and paper mill effluents,
solid structure developments in protected
areas etc.) to limit and mitigate negative
impacts to coastal aquatic environments.
MS. BERNADINE EVERETT SCIENTIST
MSc (University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since 1998.
Research experience includes: Database development and programme coordination of
WIOFish
- a large WIO programme on small-scale fisheries
involving most countries of the East African coast,
including training of users. National data component coordinator for the South
West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project
during year 1 of the project. Surveys of recreational and commercial fisheries in
the Richards Bay region. Specialist input to the EIA process for the Point
small-craft harbour. Conducted the environmental impact assessment process
for the development of the proposed Victoria
Embankment Waterfront. Monitoring of fish and sand prawns in the Durban Harbour. Database design and management for various research
projects. Production and reproduction of graphics and maps. ORI website design and maintennance.
MS. BRONWYN PALMER SCIENTIST
MSc (Rhodes University, 2009)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since March 2009.
Research responsibilities include: Serving as the focal point and providing coordination
of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
research at ORI, especially as a service to the KwaZulu-Natal
government. Undertaking research into ICZM issues relevant to
KZN with particular attention given to aspects
of the new ICZM Act. Assembly of key spatial data sets that define the
coast and its assets. Generating and disseminating scientific information
as a decision support tool in the ICZM. Providing support in the development of data management
systems and GIS-based tools to ensure ORI
provides an excellent service in ICZM issues.
MS. CAMILLA FLOROS SCIENTIST
MSc (University of Natal, 2002)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since May 2010.
Member of the ORI Reef
Biodiversity Programme.
Key research areas and responsibilities
include: Updating and referencing
of the ORI hard coral collection with the
addition of live and skeletal photographs. Managing the coral reef database. Investigating the relationships between corals and their
associated invertebrates. Assessing the effects of human activities on coral reef
fish communities. Assessing the biodiversity on the KwaZulu-Natal reefs. Developing and implementing of monitoring protocols for
the KwaZulu-Natal reefs using indicator
species.
Camilla
recently completed her PhD through the Oceanographic
Research Institute entitled "An assessment
of the fish communities on South African
coral reefs".
MS ERIKA STEYN ASSISTANT SCIENTIST
MSc (University of Stellenbosch, 2002)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since 2002.
Research experience includes: Invertebrate ecology. Food conditioning of sharks. Inshore/ offshore migration and larval recruitment
of East Coast rock lobster off the KwaZulu-Natal
coast. Small-scale artisanal rock lobster fishery along the
Eastern Cape (Transkei) coast.
MR. MUSA KHUMALO SENIOR SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN
BTech (Durban Institute of Technology, 2001)
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since 2004.
Responsibilities include: Maintenance of the Boat
Launch Site Monitoring System. Capture and preliminary
analysis of boat launch site data. Assistance with preparation
of reports from the boat launch site data. Provide ad hoc assistance
in other ORI projects.
MR JADE MAGGS
SENIOR SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN
BSc (University of South Africa,
2009)
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since May 2006.
Previous experience includes: Inventory of fish species occurring in and around
the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.
Responsibilities include: Management of the recreational
component of the National Marine Linefish
System (NMLS) in KZN. The NMLS is a database
containing catch and effort data for the
South African line-fishery since 1984. Reporting of NMLS progress to Marine and Coastal Management
(MCM) and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
(EKZNW). Compilation of biological data reports based on data
from the NMLS for internal and external
parties. Long-term monitoring of catch and effort trends in
the recreational line-fishery. Informing the angling community of trends in recreational
angling through direct feedback and articles
in the media. Assistance on other internal programmes such as the
Pondoland Marine Protected Area fish tagging
programme, Boat Launch Site Monitoring System
and the ORI Tagging Project. Working on an MSc at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
entitled: Evaluation of a large “no-take”
zone in protecting key line-fish species
in the Pondoland Marine Protected Area.
MS ELINOR BULLEN SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since 1985.
Operator of the marine linefish tagging database. Extensive liaison with researchers, conservation managers
and other participants in the tagging project. Extensive liaison with anglers who voluntarily participate
in the project, including screening of potential
participants and providing feedback on recaptures.
MRS RENUKA GOVENDER SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since 1992.
Responsible for accurate data capture on the National
Marine Linefish System (NMLS). Liaison with officials and programme operators at
Marine and Coastal Management (MCM). Training of students on operation of the NMLS.
MR
DESMOND HAYES SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since 2007.
Heads the fisheries observer team. He has extensive experience in both project management
and maritime matters.
MR
JEFF MAULLIN
FIELD OFFICER
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since November
2008.
Responsibilities
include: Maintenance of boats, dive gear and sampling equipment. Planning and executing field activities in collaboration
with scientists. Assisting with taking and recording scientific measurements
including physical and biological data.
MR
CHRIS WILKINSON
FIELD OFFICER
BTech (Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007)
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since October 2008.
Responsibilities
include: Maintenance of boats, dive gear and sampling equipment. Planning and executing field activities in collaboration
with scientists. Assisting with taking and recording scientific measurements
including physical and biological data.
MS
ANGELA GARNHAM
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
BSc
(Hons) (University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since April 2009.
Responsibilities include: Assisting with estuarine research projects. Undertaking field trips and laboratory activities related
to estuarine biomonitoring and health studies. Maintenance of macrobenthic reference collections. Identification and enumeration of macrobenthic organisms.
MS CATHERINE STOW
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
BSc (Hons) (University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since 2007.
Research experience includes: Studied macrobenthos of the Kosi Bay estuarine lake system.
Responsibilities include: Assisting with estuarine and near-shore research projects. Undertaking field trips and laboratory activities related
to estuarine biomonitoring and health studies. Maintenance of macrobenthic reference collections. Identification and enumeration of macrobenthic organisms.
MR DERICK YOUNG
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
BSc (Hons) (University
of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since July 2008.
Responsibilities include: Model the effects of extreme wave run-up on the KwaZulu-Natal
coast using GIS. Develop a coastal vulnerability index for the KwaZulu-Natal
coast, using GIS. Maintain ORI's GeoNetwork. Perform spatial requests.
MR DENIS ROUILLARD
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
MSc (Murdoch University,
2008)
Employed
at the Oceanographic Research Institute
since October 2009.
Responsibilities include: Spatial analysis of large and long-term environmental and
fishery data sets in order to maximise their
value and application of such data. Provide specialist skills to research staff in several
aspects of GIS.
MS GRACE SAMURIWO
LIBRARIAN
Higher National Diploma
in Library and Information Science (Harare
Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe)
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since June 2008.
Responsibilities include: Provide information needs of ORI Scientists and other
staff members from our library collection;
Inter Library Loan Services and from subscribed
Scientific Journal Publishers
on internet. Subscribe to journals, order requested books; process
received requests and make them available
for loan. Receive Scientists Publications and integrate them
into the Organization's system of Referencing. Involved in periodic user awareness of new journals
and other publications in the library.
MS MIRENDA SELEPE
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN
National Diploma in Library
and Information studies (Durban University
of Technology)
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since January 2010.
Responsibilities include: Cataloguing of journals
and reprints. Checking of journal issues and claiming missing issues
in good time. Binding and cataloguing of ORI data and unpublished
reports. Scanning of the UKZN theses. Attend to daily requests and provide user assistance
in the library. Charging and discharging of library materials.
Doing the inter-library loan request from users and
make follow up when necessary. Displaying of new books and journals. Shelving and shelve reading of books and journal.
MR MARIUS ELS
DATA CAPTURER
Employed at the Oceanographic Research Institute since 2007.
Responsible for data
capture on the BLSMS and the NMLS online system. Provides ad hoc assistance
to ORI staff.
MS ALISON MOOR
PROJECT LIAISON OFFICER
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since 2005.
Responsible for co-ordination of research projects. Liaison with funding agencies.
MRS RAMINI NAIDOO PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Employed at the Oceanographic
Research Institute since 2001.
Provides secretarial and administrative support to
ORI's team of scientists and support staff.
MRS. JESSICA PILLAY RECEPTIONIST
Switchboard operator and receptionist for SAAMBR since
2002.
Provides administrative assistance where required.
CURRENT POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS
Name
Degree
Project
Supervisor/s
University
Phanor
Montoya-Maya
PhD
Coral
reef connectivity
Prof
M.H. Schleyer
UKZN
Stuart
Dunlop
MSc
KwaZulu-Natal
linefish survey
Prof
R.P. van der Elst Mr B.Q. Mann
UKZN
Ashley
Grimmer
MSc
Coral
reef processes
Prof
M.H. Schleyer
UKZN
Justin
Hart
MSc
Coral
reef processes
Prof
M.H. Schleyer
UKZN
Catherine
Stow
MSc
Structure
of macrobenthic feeding guilds as a function
of estuarine characteristics; a decadal study
of South African estuaries.
Ms
F. MacKay
UKZN
Candice
Untiedt
MSc
Structural
dynamics and changes in trophic communities
of infauna across the Natal Bight.
Ms
F. MacKay
UKZN
Liesel
Hein
MSc
Biodiversity
and community structure of the KwaZulu-Natal
continental shelf soft sediment infauna.
Rudy van der Elst - Director:
ORI
