Namdeb Midwater Benthic Monitoring

Namdeb's Midwater Benthic Monitoring Study is designed to assess the impacts of marine offshore diamond extraction on both unconsolidated and hard-bottom benthic habitats. We aim to understand these impacts and determine how long it takes for affected areas to recover in relation to the high level of spatial and temporal variability we have observed.  The programme currently entails collection of more than 900 benthic macrofauna and sediment quality samples from 31 sampling stations in water depths ranging between 40 and 70 m using a Van Veen grab.  Visual assessment of the benthos is undertaken using a towed camera sled (Skimonkey) and drop camera while water quality sampling is conducted using a CTD profiler and Niskin rosette. Anchor is responsible for the collection of samples, identification and enumeration of benthic macrofauna to species level, processing and analysis of all environmental data and for the production of reports.