Database

Historical Research Survey Database

The historical research survey data are made available here as a Microsoft Access database file. The data were transcribed from government publications for the period of 1897-1904 and 1920-1949. Although they changed names, these reports essentially represent an (incomplete) series that documents fisheries and oceanography-related surveys and investigations in South Africa (and Namibia and Mozambique) during those periods. The majority of the digitized records stem from trawls, but samples from dredges, plankton nets and other gear are also included. Please see the readme file in the Documentation folder for further detail.

Historical Catch Return Database

The historical catch return data are made available here as a Microsoft Access database file. The database consists of a collection of historical commercial catch return datasets that were transcribed (digitised manually) from printed books and scanned copies of catch-return data sheets. 'Harbour returns' are monthly summaries (numbers) of the commercial fish species landed at harbours from Lamberts Bay to East London during 1897-1906. 'Linefish returns' are daily catch returns (numbers but with weekly totals in weight) for commercial line fish species landed at harbours from Lamberts Bay to Jeffreys Bay, during the period 1922-1935. 'Trawl returns' are monthly catches (by weight) from trawlers at South African Harbours (Port Nolloth to Durban) between 1921 and 1960. Please see the readme file in the Documentation folder for further detail.