THE COASTAL OCEAN OFF THE EAST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY

The east coast of South Africa has a generally well-defined and narrow continental shelf area. This, combined with the poleward-flowing Agulhas Current, serves to characterise the coastal ocean in the region as an identifiable entity. Most physical oceanographic investigations have taken place off Natal, but more recently some intensive measurements have also been made off East London. The results are reviewed in terms of temperature and current variability under the prime influence of wind and the Agulhas Current. Different coastal regimes are identified, but the inherent variability emerges as a major factor. The consequences are discussed in relation to phenomena such as the ‘sardine run’.