The Institute’s research strengths are in the biosystematics, taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of aquatic biodiversity. While the emphasis has historically been on freshwater, estuarine and marine fishes, an increasing amount of research involves invertebrates and amphibians. The Institute continues to engage in long-standing, collaborative research programmes in estuarine ecology, fish telemetry and the management of coastal fishery resources. New areas of research include biomaterial banking, molecular systematics and biodiversity informatics.

This year SAIAB celebrates 10 years as a National Facility of the National Research Foundation which itself is in its 10th year of existence. These are good reasons for us to reflect on our situation, the path taken and progress made during the past decade and the way forward into the future. 

SAIAB has thrived as a National Facility. To celebrate this a SAIAB Science Open Day & Colloquium was held on 18-19 June to commemorate this and to reflect on changes in the nature of our research, the types of projects undertaken, transformation of our human resources and the development of a strong student body. As SAIAB will be undergoing a review in early 2010 it is strategically important to record the progress made since the previous review in 2004 and to present the new Science Plan to stakeholders for comment.

Click here to access SAIAB's Research Output (1999-2008) [pdf format 331KB]

Researchers at SAIAB and their areas of study are listed below: