CSO Publications

2025

Bukasa, W.A., Awe, A., Sparks, C., 2025. Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter, and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management vjaf159.
https://doi.org/10.1093/inteam/vjaf159

Sparks, C., Thompson, R., Jahnke, A., Wagner, M., Filella, M., Frias, J., Wang, M., Farrelly, T., Kentin, E., Velis, C., 2025. Comments on Article 2: Definitions.
https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.15796709

Dignac, M.-F., Mihai, F.-C., Bergmann, M., Boodhoo, K., Carney-Almroth, B., Colombini, G., Courtene-Jones, W., Cyvin, J., Deeney, M., Dettling, V., Ghiglione, J.-F., Gundogdu, S., Jayasinghe, R., Kelly, M., MacGregor, M., Sparks, C., Thompson, R., van Emmerik, T., Varvastian, S., Vázquez, A., Woodall, L., 2025. Scientists’ coalition for an effective plastics treaty. Article 7 on releases and leakages: Why is this article important and what could be improved? [WWW Document]. Policy Brief. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15638883

Trisia Farrelly, Susanne Brander, Natalia de Miranda Grilli, Noreen O’Meara, Winnie Courtene-Jones, Megan Deeney, Kristian Syberg, Andres H. Arias, Marie-France Dignac, Martin Wagner, Florin-Constantin Mihai, Richard Thompson, Jean-Francois Ghiglione, Jane Muncke, Conrad Sparks. 2025. Letter to the Editor: Scientists' Coalition perspectives on articles of the Chair's text. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. https://doi:10.1017/plc.2025.10016

Julius, D., Awe, A., Sparks, C, 2025. Abundance, Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Echinoderms along the Western Cape coastline, South Africa. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.
https://doi.org/10.1093/inteam/vjaf169

Khan, A.B., Pereao, O., Sparks, C., Opeolu, B., 2025. Assessing microplastic characteristics and abundance in the sediment and surface water of the Diep River, Western Cape, South Africa. Environmental Pollution 381, 126555.
Assessing microplastic characteristics and abundance in the sediment and surface water of the Diep River, Western Cape, South Africa - ScienceDirect

Mayoma, B.S., Yusuph, M.A., Sailas, H., Emanuel, Z., Lukanga, E., Kitogo, L., Edson, A.A., Simbila, D., Mugema, A., Matonya, P., Kasenene, F., Sørensen, C., Sparks, C., Khan, F.R., 2025. Abundance and characteristics of anthropogenic litter along the Tanzanian shores of the African Great Lakes: including volunteer involvement, outreach, and stakeholder engagement in a holistic approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32, 14127–14141.
Abundance and characteristics of anthropogenic litter along the Tanzanian shores of the African Great Lakes: including volunteer involvement, outreach, and stakeholder engagement in a holistic approach | Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Awe, A., Oputu, O., Aigbe, U.O., Sparks, C., 2025. Metals associated with Beach plastic litter at Woodbridge Island and Derdesteen in Table Bay, South Africa. Microplastics and Nanoplastics 5, 13.
Metals associated with Beach plastic litter at Woodbridge Island and Derdesteen in Table Bay, South Africa

Savoca, S., M., Angelo Abreo, N., H. Arias, A., Baes, L., Baini, M., Bergami, E., Brander, S., Canals, M., Anela Choy, C., Corsi, I., Witte, B.D., Domit, C., Dudas, S., M. Duncan, E., E. Fernández, C., Cristina Fossi, M., Garcés-Ordóñez, O., J. Godley, B., González-Paredes, D., González Carman, V., M. Hamilton, B., Denise Hardesty, B., Hee Hong, S., Kahane-Rapport, S., M. Kashiwabara, L., Baptista Lacerda, M., Luna-Jorquera, G., Manno, C., E. Nelms, S., Panti, C., J. Pérez-Venegas, D., K. Pham, C., F. Provencher, J., Purca, S., Rashid, H., Rodríguez, Y., Sparks, C., Sun, C., Thiel, M., Tsangaris, C., G. Santos, R., 2024. Monitoring plastic pollution using bioindicators: a global review and recommendations for marine environments. Environmental Science: Advances.
Monitoring plastic pollution using bioindicators: a global review and recommendations for marine environments - Environmental Science: Advances (RSC Publishing) DOI:10.1039/D4VA00174E

2024

Ferguson, L., Awe, A. & Sparks C., 2024. Microplastic concentrations and risk assessment in water, sediment and invertebrates from Simon’s Town, South Africa. Heliyon, 10(7), e28514.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28514

Samuels, W., Awe, A. & Sparks C., 2024. Microplastic pollution and risk assessment in surface water and sediments of the Zandvlei Catchment and estuary, Cape Town, South Africa. Environmental Pollution, 342, 122987.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122987

Ariefdien, R., Pfaff, M., Awe, A. & Sparks, C., 2024. Stormwater outlets: A source of microplastics in coastal zones of Cape Town, South Africa. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 198, 115800.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115800

2023

Sparks, C., Viljoen, N., Hill, D., Lassen, J., Awe, A., 2023. Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Water and Mussels Sampled from Cape Town Harbour and Two Oceans Aquarium, South Africa. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 110, 104.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03737-1

Julius, D., Awe, A. & Sparks C., 2023. Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in water and sediment along the Western Cape coastline, South Africa. Heliyon, 9:8 8, e18559.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18559

Bukasa, W.A., Awe, A.A. & Sparks, C., 2023. Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Research Square, PREPRINT.
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2965504/v1

Apetogbor, K., Pereao, O., Sparks, C. & Opeolu, B. 2023. Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediment samples of the Plankenburg river, Western Cape, South Africa. Environmental Pollution, 323, 121303.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121303

Wilkinson, C., Seyboth, E., J Olbers, J., Vermeulen, E., Kramer., R & Findlay, K. 2023. Estimating population changes in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae migrating past Cape Vidal, South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, 45(1), 39-50.
https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2023.2193591

Seyboth, E., Meynecke, J-O., de Bie, J., Roychoudhury, A. & Findlay, K. 2023. A review of post-whaling abundance, trends, changes in distribution and migration patterns, and supplementary feeding of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 997491.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.997491

Loureiro, T.G., Milligan, B., Gacutan, J., Adewumi, I.J., Findlay, K. 2023. Ocean accounts as an approach to foster, monitor, and report progress towards sustainable development in a changing ocean – The Systems and Flows Model. Marine Policy, 154, 105668.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105668

Ramos, E.A., Cheeseman, T., Marcondes, M.C.C., Olio, M., Vogel, A., Elwen, S., de Melo, T.H.M., Facchola, C., Cipolotti, S., Southerland, K., Findlay, K., Seyboth, E., McCue, S.A., Kotze, P.G.H. & Seakamela, S.M. 2023. Interchange of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales across the South Atlantic Ocean. Scientific Reports, 13.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31358-5

2022

Loureiro, T.G., du Plessis, N., Findlay, K. 2022. Into the Blue – The Blue Economy Model in Operation Phakisa “Unlocking the Ocean Economy” Programme. South African Journal of Science, 118(11/12).
https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/14664

Trotzuk, E., Findlay, K., Taju, A., Cockcroft, V., Guissamulo, A., Araman, A., Matos, L., & Gaylard, A. 2022. Focused and inclusive actions could ensure the persistence of East Africa's last known viable dugong subpopulation. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(7), e12702.
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12702

Gacutan, J., Pınarbaşı, K., Agbaglah, M., Bradley, C., Galparsoro, I., Murillas, A., Adewumi, I., Praphotjanaporn, T., Bordt, M., Findlay, K., Lantz, C. & Milligan, B.M. 2022. The emerging intersection between marine spatial planning and ocean accounting: A global review and case studies. Marine Policy, 140, 105055.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105055

Gacutan, J., Galparsoro, I., Pınarbaşı, K., Murillas, A., Adewumi, I.J., Praphotjanaporn, T., Johnston, E.L; Findlay, K.P. & Milligan, B.M. 2022. Marine spatial planning and ocean accounting: Synergistic tools enhancing integration in ocean governance. Marine Policy, 136, 104936.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104936

Loureiro, T.G., Gacutan, J., Milligan, B.M., Praphotjanaporn, T. & Findlay, K. 2022. Every account counts for sustainable development: lessons from the African CoP to implement ocean accounts in the Western Indian Ocean region. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, 1, 139 – 165.
https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/wiojms.si2022.1.11

Warwick-Evans, V., Constable, A., Dalla Rosa, L., Secchi, E., Seyboth, E. & Trathan, P. 2022. Using a risk assessment framework to spatially and temporally spread the fishery catch limit for Antarctic krill in the west Antarctic Peninsula: A template for krill fisheries elsewhere. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 1015851.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1015851

Warwick-Evans, V., Kelly, N., Dalla Rosa, L., Friedlaender, A. & Hinke, J., Kim, JH., Kokubun, N., Santora, J., Secchi, E., Seyboth, E. & Trathan, P. 2022. Using seabird and whale distribution models to estimate spatial consumption of krill to inform fishery management. Ecosphere, 13(6), e4083.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4083

2021

Meynecke, J-O., De Bie, J., Barraqueta, J-LM., Seyboth, E., Dey, S.P., Lee, S.B., Samanta, S., Vichi, M., Findlay, K., Roychoudhury, A. & Mackey, B. 2021. The Role of Environmental Drivers in Humpback Whale Distribution, Movement and Behavior: A Review. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 720774.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.720774

Prado, J., Kinas, P., Pennino, M., Seyboth, E., Silveira, F., Ferreira, E. & Secchi, E. 2021. Definition of no‐fishing zones and fishing effort limits to reduce franciscana bycatch to sustainable levels in southern Brazil. Animal Conservation, 24(5), 770-782.
https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12679

Paarman, S., Vermeulen, E., Seyboth, E., Thornton, M., & Findlay, K. 2021. Abundance and distribution of Antarctic blue whales Balaenoptera musculus intermedia off the Queen Maud Land coast of Antarctica. African Journal of Marine Science, 43(1), 53–59.
https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2020.1864471

Dey, S. P., Vichi, M., Fearon, G., Seyboth, E., Findlay, K. P., Meynecke, J.-O., de Bie, J., Lee, S. B., Samanta, S., Barraqueta, J. M., Roychoudhury, A. N., & Mackey, B. 2021. Oceanographic anomalies coinciding with humpback whale super-group occurrences in the Southern Benguela. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 20896.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00253-2

Cade, D. E., Seakamela, S. M., Findlay, K. P., Fukunaga, J., Kahane-Rapport, S. R., Warren, J. D., Calambokidis, J., Fahlbusch, J. A., Friedlaender, A. S., Hazen, E. L., Kotze, D., McCue, S., Meÿer, M., Oestreich, W. K., Oudejans, M. G., Wilke, C., & Goldbogen, J. A. 2021. Predator-scale spatial analysis of intra-patch prey distribution reveals the energetic drivers of rorqual whale super-group formation. Functional Ecology, 35(4), 894–908.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13763

2020

Shabangu, F.W., Andrew, R.K., Yemane, D. & Findlay, K.P. 2020. Acoustic seasonality, behaviour and detection ranges of Antarctic blue and fin whales under different sea ice conditions off Antarctica. Endangered Species Research, 43, 21-37.
https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01050

Purdon, J., Shabangu, F.W., Yemane, D., Pienaar, M., Somers, M.J. & Findlay, K. 2020. Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies. PeerJ, 8, e9997.
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997

Seyboth, E., Félix, F., Lea, M-A., Dalla Rosa, L., Watters, G., Reid, K. & Secchi, E. 2021. Influence of krill (Euphausia superba) availability on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) reproductive rate. Marine Mammal Science, 37, 1498-1506.
https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12805

2019

Carroll, E.L., Alderman, R., Bannister, J.L., Bérubé, M., Best, P.B., Boren, L., Baker, C.S., Constantine, R., Findlay, K., Harcourt, R., Lemaire, L., Palsbøll, P.J., Patenaude, N.J., Rowntree, V.J., Seger, J., Steel, D., Valenzuela, L.O., Watson, M. & Gaggiotti, O.E. 2019. Incorporating non-equilibrium dynamics into demographic history inferences of a migratory marine species. Heredity, 122(1), 53–68.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-018-0077-y

Shabangu, F.W., Findlay, K.P., Yemane, D., Stafford, K.M., van den Bergh, M. & Blows, B. 2019. Seasonal occurrence and diel calling behaviour of Antarctic blue whales and fin whales off the West Coast of South Africa. Journal of Marine Systems, 190, 25-39.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2018.11.002

2018

Corkeron, P., Hamilton, P., J Bannister, J., Groch, K.R., Findlay, K., Rowntree, V., Vermuelen, E. & Pace, R.M. 2018. The recovery of North Atlantic right whales, Eubalaena glacialis, has been constrained by human-caused mortality. Royal Society Open Science Journal, 5(11), 180892.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180892

2017

Findlay, K.P., Seakamela, S.M., Meÿer, M.A., Kirkman, S.P., Barendse, J., Cade, D.E., Hurwitz, D., Kennedy, A., Kotze, P.G.H., McCue, S.A., Thornton, M., Vargas Fonseca, O.A. & Wilke, C.G. 2017. Humpback whale “super-groups” – a novel low-latitude feeding behaviour of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Benguela Upwelling System. PLOS ONE, 12(3), e0172002.
https://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172002

Ansorge, I., Skelton, P., Bekker, A., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Butterworth, D., Cilliers, C., Cooper, J., Cowan, D., Dorrington, D., Fawcett, S., Fietz, S., Findlay, K.P., Froneman, W., Grantham, G., Greve, M., Hedding, D., Hofmeyr, G., Kosch, M., Le Roux, P., Lucas, M., MacHutchon, K., Meiklejohn, I., Nel, W., Pistorius, P., Ryan, P., Stander, J., Swart, S., Treasure, A., Vichi, M. & van Vuuren, B. 2017. Exploring South Africa’s southern frontier: A 20-year vision for Polar Research through the South African National Antarctic Programme. South African Journal of Science, 113(5/6), 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/a0205

Shabangu, F.W., Yemane, D., Stafford, K.M., Ensor, P. and Findlay, K.P. 2017. Modelling the effects of environmental conditions of the acoustic occurrence and behaviour of Antarctic blue whales. PLOS ONE, 12(2), e0172705.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172705

Segre, P.S., Seakamela, S.M., Meÿer, M.A., Findlay, K.P. & Goldbogen, J.A. 2017. A hydrodynamically active flipper-stroke in humpback whales. Current Biology, 27(13), 636-637.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.05.063

Kershaw, F., Carvalho, I., Loo, J., Pomilla, C., Best, P., Findlay, K.P., Cerchio, S., Collins, T., Engel, M.H., Minton, G., Ersts, P., Barendse, J., Kotze, P.G.H., Razafindrakoto, Y., Ngouessono, S., Meyer, M., Thornton, M. & Rosenbaum, H.C. 2017. Multiple processes drive genetic structure of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations across spatial scales. Molecular Ecology, 26(4), 977-994.
https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13943

2016

Findlay, K.P. & Best, P.B. 2016. Distribution and seasonal abundance of large cetaceans in the Durban whaling grounds off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 1972–1975. African Journal of Marine Science, 38(2), 249–262.
https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2016.1191042

Publications