From 5 to 9 October 2026, the Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town hosted the Deep-Sea Biodiversity and Applied Taxonomy Workshop. The programme brought together emerging researchers and experienced biodiversity scientists for lectures, hands-on training and scientific exchange.
The workshop explored deep-sea biodiversity and applied taxonomy, using sponges to introduce participants to a diverse and still underexplored group of marine animals. Through lectures and practical sessions, participants learned about specimen handling and preservation, sponge identification, biodiversity data management, museum collections and molecular approaches to taxonomy. The training showed how these tools support marine research, biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Particular emphasis was placed on skills that can be transferred to biodiversity research and monitoring within African institutions.
Alongside the training, the workshop created opportunities for participants and tutors to share research challenges, exchange ideas and build professional connections. The combination of practical science and collaboration made for an intensive week, yet it also allowed for participants to venture beyond the laboratory and discover Cape Town together.
Stay tuned for more SponBIODIV updates as the project’s research and collaborations continue to uncover new stories about marine biodiversity.
The workshop was organised within the SponBIODIV project, funded by Biodiversa+, in collaboration with the FAO/Norway EAF-Nansen Programme. It also received support from DFFE Oceans and Coasts and the Research and Exhibitions Directorate at Iziko Museums of South Africa.
