South African ocean scientists struggle to get time for research on the high seas, despite a new research ship being made available last year, says a paper published in the South African Journal of Science last month.
The paper, ‘South African research in the Southern Ocean: new opportunities but serious challenges’, says researchers struggle to use the SA Agulhas II, a vessel purchased in May 2012 to conduct research in the Antarctic ocean.
The department of environmental affairs is responsible for providing permission to researchers, but only 42 per cent of the year’s first operational year, starting on 18 October 2012, was allocated for research. Like its predecessor, the SA Agulhas is often used instead to carry cargo, the paper says.
This article on Research Professional News is only available to Research Professional or Pivot-RP users.
Research Professional users can log in and view the article via this link
Pivot-RP users can log in and view the article via this link.