A high-tech storage facility which houses the largest collection of African fish on the continent has been opened at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape. 

This is to serve primarily as a reference for scientists to study the identification and conservation of fish biodiversity.

The National Fish Collection was officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, today.

Deputy Minister Hanekom emphasised the importance of this research in helping scientists and policy makers decide what proportion of the marine resources can be harvested sustainably.

The National Fish Collection is a joint venture between the higher education institution and the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), which manages the facility.

SAIAB is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) and is internationally recognised for its excellent aquatic science research and a premier fish collection which serves African and international scientists.

“The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recognises marine science as one of the research platforms in which South Africa has a unique role to play because of the country’s geographical advantage, as well as its track record of research excellence,” said Deputy Minister Hanekom.

Completed in 2006, the National Fish Collection facility now stores close to a million marine, estuarine and freshwater fish specimens collected during field trips, received as gifts and exchanges from other research organisations and museums around the world.

The collection was founded by Professor JLB Smith, founder of the Ichthyology Department at Rhodes, who accumulated specimens over a period of more than 30 years.

In 2005, the SAIAB decided to move the collection to an adjacent building following several considerations including health and safety of the staff who maintained that facility and growth to the collection.

The main safety issue was posed by the persistent danger of fire, which would have been seriously worsened by the presence of alcohol that is used to preserve specimen.

Unique to the collection, SAIAB also boasts an unusual albino great white shark caught by fishermen off the East Cape coast.

It also boasts cleared and stained fish cartilage and bones, a dry skeletal collection, frozen tissue for genetic research, photographs, original scientific illustrations, spatial data and publications.

According to Dr Paul Skelton, SAIAB Managing Director, the presence of a national facility in the Eastern Cape is a vote of confidence in Grahamstown. 

The development of modern facilities, such as the National Fish Collection, is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of research on aquatic biodiversity in South Africa.

The landmark discovery of coelacanth at Sodwana Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal in 2000 – a species of fish thought to be extinct – placed South Africa in a position to lead an international endeavour to understand all aspects of living fossils.

It also led to a groundswell in public interest and awareness of the need to protect marine biodiversity and environments.

An exciting recent addition at the SAIAB is the Elwandle Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) – another national research facility established to support the long-term monitoring needs for the Southern African coastline, including estuaries, rocky shores and dune ecosystems.

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For media enquiries please contact: Ms Nthabiseng Maoela, Media Liaison Officer: Office of the Deputy Minister @ 082 944 0015