Programmes
Current Projects
Unintended spread and impact of alien and invasive fish species in order to develop mitigation and prevention guidelines
Period: 2011-2013
Funding source: Water Research Commission
Researchers: OLF Weyl (SAIAB), E. Swartz, P. Kimberg (Golder)
Aims & research objectives: Conservation of indigenous and management of invasive alien fishes in the headwaters of the Groot Marico River (Northwest Province) and understanding and mitigating the unintentional spread of invasive fish through the Sundays River Irrigation scheme (Eastern Cape Province).
Bangweulu Wetlands Management Board/African Parks - An assessment of the fish diversity, utilisation, monitoring and sustainable management in the Bangweulu Wetlands.
Period: 2011-2012
Funding source: African parks
Researchers: OLF Weyl (SAIAB), R Bills (SAIAB), C Huchzermeyer (Rhodes Student)
AIM & research objectives: The primary objective of the proposed research programme is to undertake an assessment of the fish diversity, utilisation and develop recommendations for monitoring and sustainable management in the Bangweulu Wetlands
Introduction pathways, distribution, abundance and movement of Alien invasive fish species in a South African RAMSAR wetland, Wilderness Lakes
Funding source: CIB, NRF-Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers, SAN-Parks
Project Partners: SAIAB, SAN-Parks
The Wilderness Lakes system is a RAMSAR site that falls under the management jurisdiction of South African National Parks (SANParks) that has been invaded by freshwater alien fishes. The overall aim of this project is to contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of alien invasive fishes in the Wilderness Lakes in order to contribute to an effective alien invasive management strategy for SANParks.
Ecology and management of the Caprivi floodplain fisheries
Period: 2010-2012
Funding source: Nedbank Go-Green Fund, Namibia Nature Foundation, WWF, NORAD, University of Namibia
Researchers: Dr Olaf Weyl (SAIAB), Prof Edosa Omoregie (UNAM), Mr Richard Peel (UNAM), Mr Denis Tweddle (NNF/SAIAB), Dr Nicola James (SAIAB).
Aim & research objectives: The primary objective of the proposed research programme is to undertake research into the re-colonisation of Lake Liambezi with fish in order to understand the dynamics of re-colonisation and fish invasion processes in previously desiccated environments. The research results from this project will also develop the basis developing proactive response strategies to react to both natural (annual flood cycle fluctuations) and human-induced (fishing) changes in the fishery. This will provide information for best management practice in the floodplain fishery and allow for an assessment of the vulnerability of rural people to environmental change processes such as climate change.
Assessing impacts and benefits of alien fish introductions: Do biodiversity costs outweigh economic, food security and recreational benefits derived from alien fishes in South Africa?
Period: 2011-2013
Funding source: South African and Netherlands Partnership for Development (SANPAD)
Researchers: OLF Weyl (Project Leader); Q Rouhani (Rhodes – Community liaison and Policy); Prof. P Britz (Rhodes - Policy); Prof. J Snowball (Rhodes - Economics); Prof. N Smit (University of the Northwest – Parasites); Prof. P Van Zwieten (Wageningen – Fisheries science); Prof. L Nagelkerke (Wageningen – Fisheries Science); Dr James G (Rhodes – Environmental Science)
Aim & research objectives: The overall aim of the project is to guide the emerging inland fisheries policy by undertaking comprehensive case studies of the social, economic, livelihoods and ecological consequences of stocking alien fishes to develop recreational, subsistence and commercial fisheries in man made water bodies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research objective is to fully assess the impacts of alien fishes on the local economy, food security, employment provision and on the environment in seven man-made impoundments and their catchments in order to determine trade-offs between environmental costs and economic benefits. This information will then be used to develop a conceptual framework and methodology for predicting the impact of using alien fish species for enhancing the fisheries potential in inland fisheries.
Recreational angling in South Africa.
Funding source: Water Research Comission (WRC)
Project partners: SAIAB, Rhodes University, WRC
Aims and objectives: In South Africa demarcating waters for the use of alien fishes such as bass, carp and legitimising theirpresence in certain water bodies is important for organised angling because these alien species can now be “managed” as a fishery. Unfortunately South Africa lacks an inland fisheries policy. Last year fisheries became the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which has a development mandate. The most important consequence of this is that there will be increasing pressure to develop subsistence and commercial fisheries. The recreational value of fisheries and conflict areas between sectors (recreational, subsistence and commercial) are unfortunately poorly understood. This research project aims to investigate the potential of dams for various levels of fisheries development in order to distinguish between their suitability for commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries.
Comparative biology of four cichlid species in the Okavango, Kwando and Chobe/Zambezi River systems.
Period: 2010-2011
Funding source: Namibia Nature Foundation; Government of Namibia; University of Namibia
Researchers: Dr Olaf LF Weyl (Principal Investigator); Prof. Edosa Omoregie (University of Namibia); Mr Richard Peel (MSc – candidate UNAM); Mr Evans Simasiku (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Government of Namibia).
Aim & research objectives: Undertake biological assessments of four large cichlid fish species Oreochromis andersonii, Oreochromis macrochir, Tilapia rendalli and Serranochromis r. jallae in the Okavango, Kwando, Lake Liambezi and Zambezi/Chobe Rivers to provide information for fisheries management.
Towards a holistic management strategy for the fisheries of the Zambezi River and Eastern Caprivi Floodplains.
Period: 2010-2011
Funding source: Namibia Nature Foundation; Nedbank Go-Green fund; Government of Namibia; University of Namibia
Researchers: Dr OLF Weyl (SAIAB); Prof. E Omoregie (University of Namibia); Mr R Peel (MSc – candidate UNAM); Mr E Simasiku (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Government of Namibia); ; Mr N Shampuba (Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Government of Namibia).
Aim & research objectives: to undertake research into the dynamics of floodplain fisheries and particularly into the re-colonisation of Lake Liambezi with fish in order to understand the dynamics of re-colonisation and fish invasion processes in previously desiccated environments. The research results from this project will also develop the basis developing proactive response strategies to react to both natural (annual flood cycle fluctuations) and human-induced (fishing) changes in the fishery. This will provide information for best management practice in the floodplain fishery and allow for an assessment of the vulnerability of rural people to environmental change processes such as climate change.
Monitoring of the impact and recovery of the biota of the Rondegat River after the removal of alien fishes.
Period: 2010-2011
Funding source: Water Research Commission
Researchers: Dr Olaf LF Weyl (SAIAB); Mr Roger Bills (SAIAB); Dr Darragh Woodford (contractor - SAIAB).
Aim & research objectives: Assess the impact of an alien fish eradication on the Rondegat River, Western Cape, on invertebrate and vertebrate communities and provide baseline data with which to assess recovery rates.
Parasitological and ecological research on South African eels
Period: 2010-2013
Funding source: National Research Foundation - SA/Germany Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology.
Researchers: Dr Olaf LF Weyl (SAIAB) & Prof. Horst Taraschewski (University Karlsruhe)
Aim & research objectives: To contribute to the development of proactive approaches to control and treatment of parasitic diseases in South African eels. The specific objectives are: (1) to assess the current status parasite populations on Anguilla mossambica and Anguilla marmorata in South Africa by identifying parasites, describing new species if found, and quantifying intensity and prevalence; (2) provide critical baseline information against which to assess the effect of subsequent parasite invasions; (3) assess the longitudinal distribution of A. mossambica and A. marmorata in South African rivers and assess the effect of parasites on their ecology.
Phylogeny, evolution and hybridisation of the South African endemic Labeo umbratus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) group
Period: 2010-2012
Funding source: NRF Competitive Support for Rated Researchers
Researchers: Prof Horst Kaiser (RU – Projct leader); Dr OLF Weyl (co-investigator), Dr E. swartz (SAIAB – co-investigator)
Aim & research objectives:This project will study the molecular phylogeny, relationships, evolution and hybridisation risk of the Labeo umbratus group, an important South African freshwater fish group that is endemic to the Orange River basin or adjacent drainages and has been shown to hybridise as a result of the transfer of Labeos between river systems through inter- basin water transfers.
Completed Projects
Assessment of genetic diversity of Pseudobarbus afer and Barbus pallidus in the Sundays River and Swartkops River catchment to identify critical conservation areas within the Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape.
Source: South African Biodiversity Institute
Researchers: Olaf LF Weyl (Principal), E. Swartz (SAIAB)
Period: 2008-2009
Aim & research objectives: Assessment of genetic diversity of Pseudobarbus afer and Barbus pallidus in the Sundays River and Swartkops River catchment to identify critical conservation areas within the Addo Elephat National Park, Eastern Cape.
An assessment of the fishery of Lake Gariep with particular reference to the development of a decision-making tool for the obtaining optimal social and economic benefit from harvests.
Source: NRF-Focus area
Principal Investigator: Olaf LF Weyl
Period: 2006 – 2008;
Aim & research objectives: The overall aim of this research project is to use the Lake Gariep fishery as a case study for the development of a decision-making tool for the derivation of maximum economic and social benefit from the fisheries resource of large South African dams. Funding is intended to cover field expenses and student support for this project. The project also includes biological research into the fishes in the dam.
Addo Elephant National Park/ World Bank –Sundays River Freshwater Fish Research
Source: SAN-Parks
Researchers: Olaf Weyl (Principal Investigator), Collaborators: AJ Booth (RU), E Swartz (SAIAB), J Cambray (Albany Museum), A Bok (Consultant)Tim Andrew (EFA)
Period: 2007 – 2009
Aim & research objectives: The overall aim of this research project was to develop a management plan for the freshwater fishes of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park based on assessments of indigenous and alien fish abundance, fisheries potential and mitigation measures.