Biological Oceanography in South Africa, 1896–1996: Observations, Mechanisms. Monitoring and Modelling

SUMMARY A review of biological oceanographic research in South Africa since the time of John Gilchrist is presented, with emphasis on recent activities. The progress from descriptive studies to community ecology, then to quantitative dynamics, modelling and applications to fisheries oceanography is described. The interlinking between physical and biological processes in this complex region, leading to enhanced fish production, provides the impetus for future biological oceanographic research in South Africa.