This survey (including five legs 1.1-1.5) off East Africa had a broad ecosystem approach and aimed at gaining understanding of the ecosystem status in general, and of specific ecosystem components and attributes in particular. Leg 1.3. was dedicated to environmental monitoring of oil and gas and leg 1.5. was dedicated to mesopelagic transect, both with specific objectives.

• Leg 1.1a. Environmental Survey
  Period: 20 – 25 January (6 days)
  Survey Type: Environmental Transect
  Port of departure: Cape Town (South Africa)
  Port of arrival: Durban (South Africa)
  Local participants: 20 (7 women)
  Participants from Norway: 10
  International participants: 0
  
  The main objective of this leg was to cover the Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) Environmental Transect.
  
  
• Leg 1.1b. Ecosystem Survey
  Period: 26 January – 10 February (15 days)
  Survey Type: Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Durban (South Africa)
  Port of arrival: Maputo (Mozambique)
  Local participants: 20 (7 women)
  Participants from Norway: 9
  International participants: 0
  
  
  The main objectives of this leg were:
  
  
  • Map hydrographic conditions, main retention areas for eggs and larvae of main pelagic and demersal resources;
  • Record occurrence of crustacean and/or other resources on the slope, deeper than 500m;
  • Assess abundance of small pelagic and of demersal fish species;
  • Map abundance, diversity and study the ecological role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems of East Africa;
  • Collect bottom sediment;
  • Map occurrence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition
  • Record occurrence of top predators (sea mammals and sea birds).
    
    
• Leg 1.2. Ecosystem Survey
  Period: 12 February – 19 March (35 days)
  Survey Type: Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Maputo (Mozambique)
  Port of arrival: Pemba (Mozambique)
  Local participants: 53 (7 women)
  Participants from Norway: 21
  International participants: 1
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  
  
  • Map hydrographic conditions, main retention areas for eggs and larvae of main pelagic and demersal resources;
  • Record occurrence of crustacean and/or other resources on the slope, deeper than 500m;
  • Assess abundance of small pelagic and of demersal fish species;
  • Map abundance, diversity and study the ecological role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems of East Africa;
  • Map occurrence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition
    
    
• Leg 1.3. Environmental monitoring (oil/gas)
  Period: 21 March – 4 April (13 days)
  Survey Type: Environmental monitoring (oil/gas)
  Port of departure: Pemba (Mozambique)
  Port of arrival: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
  Local participants: 17 (8 women)
  Participants from Norway: 11
  International participants: 0
  
  The overall objective of this survey was to collect data to contribute to setting up an environmental baseline for marine habitats, marine biodiversity and the levels of pollutants in the Cabo Delgado Province, Northern Mozambique. 
  
  Specific objectives:
  
  
• Collect samples to determine benthic Biodiversity;
• Collect sediment samples for sediment chemistry and geochemistry;
• Carry out habitat observations (Video and still-photo documentation, Real time identification- Video logger, VAMs);
• Collect data on bathymetry (Multibeam Echosounder, Sub bottom profiler);
• Collect samples of marine fish and invertebrates for food safety.
  
  
• Leg 1.4. Ecosystem survey
  Period: 6 April – 18 April (12 days)
  Survey Type: Ecosystem survey
  Port of departure: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
  Port of arrival: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
  Local participants: 18 (7 women)
  Participants from Norway: 9
  International participants: 1
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  
  
  • Map hydrographic conditions, main retention areas for eggs and larvae of main pelagic and demersal resources;
  • Record occurrence of crustacean and/or other resources on the slope, deeper than 500m;
  • Assess abundance of small pelagic and of demersal fish species;
  • Map abundance, diversity and study the ecological role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems of East Africa;
  • Map occurrence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
    
    
• Leg 1.5. Mesopelagic transect
  Period: 20 April – 2 May (12 days)
  Survey Type: Mesopelagic transect
  Port of departure: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
  Port of arrival: Victoria (Seychelles)
  Local participants: 13 (1 woman)
  Participants from Norway: 10
  International participants: 2
  
  The overall objective of the survey was to study the acoustic properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community in oceanic waters, between Tanzania and the Seychelles. 
  
  Specific objectives:
  
  
  • Map the circulation structure, including meso-scale eddies, in the westernmost part of the Indian Eastern Equatorial Current;
  • Map plankton distribution related to the meso-scale eddy structure;
  • Map the abundance, distribution and diversity of mesopelagic fish;
  • Collect samples for food safety and nutrition.

The overall objective of the survey was to study the acoustic properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community along a transect spanning from inshore eutrophic coastal waters off Southwest Africa towards the eutrophic oceanic waters, but it also included studies of the oceanography and plankton and jellyfis. 

Number of participants
Local participants: 14 (5 women)
Participants from Norway: 14
International participants: 0

Specific objectives of the different studies were to:

Mesopelagic community

• Obtain concurrent information on the acoustical properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community;
• Study the acoustic properties of mesopelagic fish and other mesopelagic organisms such as squids, crustaceans, gelatinous organisms and principal zooplankton taxa including their frequency response and target strength;
• Obtain biological samples and observations using different sampling gears (trawls, plankton nets and camera systems)
• Investigate the effectiveness of different sampling trawls used to sample the mesopelagic community;
• Collect samples for analysis of C and N stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition to understand the trophic roles of mesopelagic species;
• Collect samples for levels of nutrients and contaminants including microplastics, parasites and microorganisms with regards to food safety and pollution.

Oceanography

• Map the hydrographic/environmental conditions in the survey area (temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, irradiant light, nutrients and pH);
• Measure the principal current dynamics across the shelf, slope and basin;
• Estimate the productivity along the inshore-offshore eutrophication gradient.

Plankton and jellyfish

• Describe the broad distribution, abundance and taxonomic composition of jellyfish and zooplankton.

This survey (including four legs 3.1-3.4) addressed abundance and distribution of pelagic resources, environmental conditions within which they were found/appeared, and aspects of their early life history. The survey also offered an opportunity to sample and tackle other research topics of high regional and international interest. Leg 3.3. was dedicated to a mesopelagic transect.

• Leg 3.1. Pelagic Fish Resources and Ecosystem Survey (Pointe Noire – Luanda)
  Period: 21 September – 11 October (20 days)
  Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Pointe Noire (Congo)
  Port of arrival: Luanda (Angola)
  Local participants: 19 (7 women)
  Participants from Norway: 9
  International participants: 0
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  • Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data as per sailing orders;
  • Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae, Jellyfish and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
  • Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
    
    
• Leg 3.2. Pelagic Fish Resources and Ecosystem Survey (Angola-Namibia)
  Period: 14 October – 14 November (31 days)
  Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Luanda (Angola)
  Port of arrival: Walvis Bay (Namibia)
  Local participants: 22
  Participants from Norway: 7
  International participants: 0
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  • Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data as per sailing orders;
  • Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae, Jellyfish and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
  • Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
    
    
• Leg 3.3. Mesopelagic Transect
  Period: 16 – 24 November (8 days)
  Survey Type: Mesopelagic Transect
  Port of departure: Walvis Bay (Namibia)
  Port of arrival: Walvis Bay (Namibia)
  Local participants: 14 (5 women)
  Participants from Norway: 14
  International participants: 0
  
  The overall objective of the survey was to study the acoustic properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community along a transect spanning from inshore eutrophic coastal waters off Southwest Africa towards the eutrophic oceanic waters, but it also included studies of the oceanography and plankton and jellyfis. 
  
  Specific objectives of the different studies were to:
  
  Mesopelagic community
  
  
  • Obtain concurrent information on the acoustical properties and biological composition of the mesopelagic community;
  • Study the acoustic properties of mesopelagic fish and other mesopelagic organisms such as squids, crustaceans, gelatinous organisms and principal zooplankton taxa including their frequency response and target strength;
  • Obtain biological samples and observations using different sampling gears (trawls, plankton nets and camera systems);
  • Investigate the effectiveness of different sampling trawls used to sample the mesopelagic community 
  • Collect samples for analysis of C and N stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition to understand the trophic roles of mesopelagic species;
  • Collect samples for levels of nutrients and contaminants including microplastics, parasites and microorganisms with regards to food safety and pollution.

  
  Oceanography

  • Map the hydrographic/environmental conditions in the survey area (temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, irradiant light, nutrients and pH);
  • Measure the principal current dynamics across the shelf, slope and basin;
  • Estimate the productivity along the inshore-offshore eutrophication gradient.

  
  Plankton and jellyfish
  
  

  • Describe the broad distribution, abundance and taxonomic composition of jellyfish and zooplankton.
    
    
• Leg 3.4. Pelagic Fish Resources and Ecosystem Survey (Namibia – South Africa) 
  Period: 26 November – 17 December (21 days)
  Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Walvis Bay (Namibia)
  Port of arrival: Cape Town (South Africa)
  Local participants: 16 (8 women)
  Participants from Norway: 11
  International participants: 1
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  • Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data of selected species;
  • Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
  • Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.

This survey included two legs: 2.1-2.2. It addressed abundance and distribution of pelagic resources, environmental conditions within which they are encountered, and aspects of their early life history. The survey also offered an opportunity to sample and address other research topics of high regional and international interest.

• Leg 2.1. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey (Guinea Bissau – Guinea – Sierra Leone – Liberia)
  Period: 21 July – 20 August (30 days)
  Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Dakar (Senegal)
  Port of arrival: Monrovia (Liberia)
  Local participants: 14 (1 woman)
  Participants from Norway: 8
  International participants: 0
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  • Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data of selected species;
  • Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae, jellyfish and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
  • Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.
    
    
• Leg 2.2. Pelagic Stocks and Ecosystems Survey (Côte d’Ivoire – Ghana)
  Period: 22 August – 13 September (27 days)
  Survey Type: Transboundary Pelagic and Ecosystem Survey
  Port of departure: Monrovia (Liberia)
  Port of arrival: Tema (Ghana)
  Local participants: 14
  Participants from Norway: 7
  International participants: 0
  
  The main objectives of this leg were to:
  • Map and asses the main pelagic resources and collect biological data of selected species;
  • Collect phytoplankton, zooplankton, egg and larvae and hydrographical parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and water nutrients on predefined stations;
  • Map presence of microplastics in surface waters; collect samples of fish for food safety and nutrition.