Based on the research findings of 60 years, the author describes the origins of the Agulhas Current, its behaviour, its influence on the adjacent continental shelf, its effect on local weather and its role in linking the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The text is well-illustrated and includes asides on the history of research on the Current. An exhaustive bibliography gives easy access to present knowledge on this important current system.

“This bracing history charts the myths, the exploration, and the inhabitants of the all-too-real and wild circumpolar ocean to our south.” —The Sydney Morning Herald, Pick of the Week Unlike the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans with their long maritime histories, little is known about the Southern Ocean. This book takes readers beyond the familiar heroic narratives of polar exploration to explore the nature of this stormy circumpolar ocean and its place in Western and Indigenous histories. Drawing from a vast archive of charts and maps, sea captains’ journals, whalers’ log books, missionaries’ correspondence, voyagers’ letters, scientific reports, stories, myths, and her own experiences, Joy McCann embarks on a voyage of discovery across its surfaces and into its depths, revealing its distinctive physical and biological processes as well as the people, species, events, and ideas that have shaped our perceptions of it. The result is both a global story of changing scientific knowledge about oceans and their vulnerability to human actions and a local one, showing how the Southern Ocean has defined and sustained southern environments and people over time. Beautifully and powerfully written, Wild Sea will raise a broader awareness and appreciation of the natural and cultural history of this little-known ocean and its emerging importance as a barometer of planetary climate change. “A sensitive portrait of a complex ecosystem, from krill to blue whales, and of the ice, winds, and currents that are critical to the circulation of the world’s oceans.” —Harper’s “Wilderness seekers will rejoice in this stirring portrait . . . McCann deftly navigates both natural glories and archival complexities.” —Nature

Being at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean, South Africa plays a considerable role in the smooth running of maritime commerce and the diverse efforts to ensure the sustainable development of the marine environment. South Africa and the Law of the Sea brings together the many threads of the rich South African marine-law tapestry by covering both the public international law as context and the details of South African marine law and policy within their African framework. The result is a tool to foster implementation, co-ordination and further research at the domestic level as well as a platform to facilitate comparative work to strengthen Africa’s jurisprudence and influence in maritime matters.

This exciting guide for young explorers combines scientific facts, fascinating titbits, brilliant full-colour photography and sensitive illustrations to bring a wonderful variety of ocean creatures vibrantly to life. Children will enjoy poring over the colourful pages as they read about marine habitats such as sandy beaches, rocky shores, estuaries, coral reefs and kelp forests. Discover plant and animal groups, including molluscs, crustaceans, coastal birds, mammals and reptiles, among others. Learn to identify important species from each group, using picture field guides. Study the helpful holiday guides to find out what sea life to look out for along the shore - all the way from Walvis Bay to Mozambique. Find out why the ocean is vital to us, how it may be harmed by human activities and some of the ways in which we can help. Learn about the valuable work that marine scientists do. This introduction to the habitats, plants and creatures of the southern African seashores is a captivating celebration of ocean life and is sure to become a firm favourite with beachcombers of all ages.

Report no. 11 contains: South Africa. Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey Division. Investigational report - Fisheries and Marine Biological Survey Division, no. 1-4, 1934.

The Naval War in South African Waters, 1939-1945 provides a critical reappraisal of the naval war waged in South African waters during the Second World War. The book investigates this broad topic by focussing on several interrelated aspects such as: the wartime strategic importance of South African waters; the rival Axis and Allied naval strategies in the southern oceans; the development of the South African coastal defence system; the full extent of the Axis naval operations in the southern oceans; the naval intelligence war; and, finally, the antisubmarine war waged in South African waters. Based on extensive archival research in South Africa and the United Kingdom, and supplemented by a wealth of secondary material, the book introduces a fresh, in-depth discussion on a largely forgotten episode of South African military history.