AFRICAN COELACANTH ECOSYSTEM PROGRAMME (ACEP)

The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) is a research platform which provides access to research infrastructure (e.g. ship time, coastal craft, remote operated vehicles, etc.) and associated funding to the research community to undertake research along the east coast of South Africa. ACEP is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), and its key partners are the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA – Oceans and Coasts), Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). ACEP is managed by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) which is a National Facility of the NRF.

The DST and DEA - Oceans and Coasts have identified ACEP, as a leading multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional programme as one of the key platforms to be used in meeting the aims of Operation Phakisa.