South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 093, June 1991

The South Coast Demersal Biomass Survey on the Africana Voyage 093 was conducted from 7 June 1991 to 5 July 1991. The main objectives of the cruise were to conduct a random stratified bottom trawl survey to assess the biomass, abundance and distribution of hake, sole, horse mackerel, squid and other trawl species; to investigate the hydrology and current profiles of the South Coast and to relate this to the distribution of the major demersal trawl species; this will include five transects extending from specified areas on the South Coast and approximately perpendicular to the coastline outwards towards the mainstream of the Agulhas Current; to do a selected number of mid-water trawls to test for the abundance of kingklip and hake and other demersal species as close as possible to the bottom and in midwater over grounds normally inaccessible to bottom trawl gear. To conduct routine biological sampling of the main demersal species; to sample squid intensively to establish their distribution and abundance on the South Coast; to investigate the extent, effect and diversity of parasitism in demersal fish; to obtain mature live sole for land-based experimental research; to sample hake and potential prey species for 1c:1c and 15N:14N ratios; to sample for squid and other fish eggs and larvae using bongo nets and the collection of the following specific material for land-based research: snoek gut, echinoderms, skates, south coast rock lobster, crabs, sharks and rays and any other unusual specimen.