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DR MALCOLM SMALE |
Current research
Dr Smale is based at the Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld, located on Port Elizabeth’s beachfront where he has been working for more than 30 years. His work covers a wide area and includes investigations into shark, rays and other apex predators through stomach content analysis, direct underwater observation using both snorkel and SCUBA in the field as well as using video and images of predators and their prey.
Shark research
This work encompasses a wide variety of species from small cat sharks to raggedtooth, tiger and white sharks. Recently he has worked with students and colleagues investigating aspects of the biology, movement and population dynamics of raggedtooth sharks. This work is continuing with the development of a photo identification web site that will allow divers to submit photographs to allow individual sharks to be monitored and followed through non-invasive means of using images of their unique spat pattern on their flanks. Details of their movements using ultrasonic tagging techniques are currently being analysed to determine patterns of their use of their nursery grounds. Data from research cruises, fishing catches and strandings is written up and published as adequate information is available. He is collaborating with a several colleagues and students on aspects of the ecology of tiger sharks, white sharks and a number of other species.
Predator/prey research
This work has been in collaboration with a number of colleagues and students. To date they have focussed on predators of the chokka squid with collaboration between colleagues and students from a number of different universities and government departments. The state of knowledge of the local squid is unparalleled anywhere in the world and this has helped unravel some of the interactions between the prey and a number of predators that feed on them.
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Otolith studies
The cornerstone of this work is the Otolith Collection that is housed at the Port Elizabeth Museum. Collaborations between colleagues from the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (formerly JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamstown) has allowed collecting trips to various parts of the Western Indian Ocean and elsewhere to collect specimens. The fish are kept for the SAIAB and otoliths removed for the PEM collection. Today the otolith collection is probably (arguably?) one of the largest and most diverse in the world.
Marine Protected Areas
This work is currently focussed on the Sardinia Marine Protected Area and is an investigation into the biodiversity and management of this ecologically important area. The importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) cannot be overstated even though we are still in the early stages of developing complete understanding of their importance. Offshore and open ocean MPAs are needed, but these may be difficult to get established. |
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