Benthic invertebrate fauna, associated habitats and potential factors influencing their distribution and abundance in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion, Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019

This Southern Benguela Cruise was conducted in the Southern Benguela Ecoregion on the Algoa Voyage 263, August 2019. This study focuses on providing a better understanding of the benthic invertebrate communities and associated habitats of three priority areas within the southernmost portion of the Southern Benguela Ecoregion. This includes Robben Island, the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) and the newly proposed Seas of Good Hope Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA). The aims are: 1) To contribute to the first baseline assessment for continuous long-term monitoring. 2) To determine the species diversity of benthic invertebrate communities, and how geological (i.e habitat type) and physical factors (i.e. location, depth) may be responsible for driving their distribution and abundance. 3) To verify habitat types: Verification of the habitats associated with physical features (e.g. geological substrate) by means of in situ sampling of the seabed (using a dredge or grab) and underwater visual assessments (using benthic cameras). 4) To provide legitimate conservation rationale for the establishment of the Seas of Good Hope EBSA and possible expansion of the TMNP MPA.