Emeritus Professor John Bolton

Phone: 021 650 3401
Email: john.bolton@uct.ac.za

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J-Bolton

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=SCIvR-UAAAAJ&hl=en

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0003-0589-9564

 

 

Research interests and output

Prof. John J Bolton is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town and is a marine plant biologist and phycologist (algae), specialising in marine macroalgae (seaweeds). Since his retirement as a teaching Professor at the end of 2017, he has a contract with the University as Senior Research Scholar and is still very active in seaweed research and postgraduate training. His research interests cover the biodiversity, biogeography, systematics, ecology and resource management of seaweeds, kelp forest ecology, as well as the aquaculture of seaweeds and the integrated aquaculture of seaweeds with marine animals. He has worked widely in Southern and Eastern Africa on seaweed diversity. He has authored around 170 publications in peer-reviewed journals, plus two books, numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed conference articles. He has supervised 25 graduated PhD students, with 3 currently registered.
He is the only algal biologist in Africa to have been President of the International Phycological Society, and the only person to have been President of the Phycological Society of Southern Africa twice. He is often invited to speak on African seaweeds, their diversity and uses, at recent webinars. He has co-authored two books on South African seaweed diversity, as well as a comprehensive website, and is co-author on 40 descriptions of new seaweed species from South Africa. He has been Principal Investigator on many research projects over the last four decades, on marine biodiversity, ecology, biogeography, aquaculture, natural products and climate change. His current citation ‘h’ factor on Google Scholar is 51.

Academic training

B.Sc. (Hons.) (Botany): University of Liverpool, U.K. (1973)
Ph.D (Marine Botany): University of Liverpool, U.K. (1978).

Professional work experience

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada: 1978-1979.
Research Fellow, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Germany: 1979-1982.
Lecturer (1983-1988), Senior Lecturer (1988-1993), Associate Professor (1993-2004), Professor (2005-2017), Senior Research Scholar (2018-current), in the Department of Botany (Biological Sciences from 2013), University of Cape Town

Main academic positions:

Member of the Scientific Council of the Global Seaweed Alliance (2020-current).

Member of the judging panel for the Earthshot Prize (2025).

PRESIDENT (2008-9) of the INTERNATIONAL PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(Vice-President 2006-7; Past President 2010-11)
Elected Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY (1996-8 and 2006-11).
Previously member of IPS Council 1996-8.

HEAD OF BOTANY DEPARTMENT at the University of Cape Town, 1994-6.

PRESIDENT of the PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 2006-7 (previously also President of PSSA, 1989-91).
Council member: PSSA, 1986-94, and 2004-2010.

CONVENOR OF TEACHING PROGRAMME and Senior Student Advisor: Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Faculty of Science, UCT. 2003-2015

Conferences and meetings:

Co-Convenor and Co-Chair of Local Organising Committee: 17th International Seaweed Symposium. University of Cape Town 2001.
Invited speaker and “Seaweed Wizard”: 25th International Seaweed Symposium, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 2025.
Invited plenary speaker at EU COST ‘Seawheat’ conference, Cadiz, Spain, 2022.
Invited Keynote speaker at Aquaculture Association of Southern Africa meeting, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2022.
Invited Keynote speaker at Phycological Society of Southern Africa meeting, Broederstroem, South Africa, 2018.
Invited Plenary Speaker at the 8th International Phycological Congress, Durban, South Africa, August 2005.
Member of the INTERNATIONAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE for seven International Phycological Congresses, Melbourne, Australia (1988); Xingdao, China, (1994); Leiden, Netherlands (1997); Thessaloniki, Greece (2001); Durban, South Africa (2005); Tokyo, Japan (2009), Orlando, USA (2013).

Recent research leadership:

Principal investigator of the UCT/DFFE partner on the EU-funded Horizon2020 project ASTRAL (All Atlantic Ocean Sustainable, Profitable and Resilient Aquaculture: 2020-2024: https://www.astral-project.eu/ ). With Dr Brett Macey (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) and Buffeljags Abalone Farm, ran the South African IMTAlab as a key component of this project (https://www.astral-project.eu/imta-lab-south-africa).

Prof. Bolton has been the South African Principal Investigator on a series of projects over more than 20 years, growing the green seaweed Ulva (‘sea lettuce’) on South African abalone farms. Currently around 2400 tonnes of Ulva is grown, commercially, on these farms per year, resulting in considerable financial savings and environmental benefits.

Scientific adviser on two recent local seaweed projects:

The potential for commercial cultivation of African kelp along South Africa’s west coast. Funded by the United Kingdom: UKAid (Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office), 2020-current.

Igniting the ocean economy in South Africa – Exploring Seaweed Cultivation and Value Chains for Enterprise Development in the Coastal Communities of Saldanha Bay, 
St. Helena Bay and Velddrif. Funded by the United Nations Development Program, 2024.

Refereed publications (last 5 years)

Dunga, L., Lück-Vogel, M., Blamey, L.K., Bolton, J., Rothman, M., Desmet, P. and Sink, K., 2024. Mapping South Africa’s canopy forming kelp forests using low-cost, high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, p.108989.

Madeira, P., Reddy, M.M., Assis, J., Bolton, J.J., Rothman, M.D., Anderson, R.J., Kandjengo, L., Kreiner, A., Coleman, M.A., Wernberg, T., De Clerck, O., Leliaert, F., Bandeira, S., Ada, A.M., Neiva, J., Pearson, G.A., Serrão, E.A. (2024). Cryptic diversity in southern African kelp. Sci. Rep. 14, 11071 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61336-4 

De Vos, B.C., Cyrus, M.D., Bolton, J.J. and Macey, B.M., 2024. Effect of basket height and stocking density on production of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla: insights and recommendations. Aquaculture International, pp.1-26.

Checa, D.; Macey, B.M.; Bolton, J.J.; Brink-Hull, M.; O’Donohoe, P.; Cardozo, A.; Poersch, L.H.; Sánchez, I. Circularity Assessment in Aquaculture: The Case
of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Systems. Fishes
2024, 9, 165. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9050165 

de Jager, K., Brink-Hull, M., Bolton, J.J., Cyrus, M.D. and Macey, B.M., 2024. Bacterial microbiome dynamics in commercial integrated aquaculture systems growing Ulva in abalone effluent water. Journal of Applied Phycology, 36(5), pp.2823-2849.

Bolton, J.J. and Rothman, M.D., 2024. The potential for kelp (order Laminariales) aquaculture in South Africa: a biological review. Botanica Marina, vol. 67, no. 5, 2024, pp. 525-541. https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2023-0055

Maneveldt, G.W., Bolton, J.J., Smit, A.J. and Critchley, A.T., 2024. Kelp ecology, applications and potential for aquaculture in Southern Africa. Botanica Marina, 67(5), pp.421-423.

Lück-Vogel, M., Bolton, J.J., Rothman, M.D., Bernatzeder, A., Macey, B.M., Cyrus, M.D., Arendse, D.C., Pillay, P.J. and Brown-Webb, B., 2024. Considerations for kelp aquaculture on South Africa’s west coast: geospatial analysis and research implications. Botanica Marina, vol. 67, no. 5, 2024, pp. 543-559. https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2023-0057

Lawrence CM, Bolton JJ (2023) Experimental effects of warming and epiphyte grazing on the ecophysiology of two seagrass morphotypes.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 558: 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151834 

Bekah D, Thakoor AD, Ramanjooloo A, Phul IC, Botte S, Roy P, Oogarah P, Curpen S, Goonoo N, Bolton JJ, Bhaw-Luximon A (2023).  Vitamins, minerals and heavy metals profiling of seaweeds from Mauritius and Rodrigues for food security.  Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 115 (2023) 104909. 

David G. Mann, Norico Yamada, John J. Bolton, Andrzej Witkowski & Rosa Trobajo (2023) Nitzschia captiva sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), the essential prey diatom of the kleptoplastic dinoflagellate Durinskia capensis, compared with N. agnita, N. kuetzingioides and other species, Phycologia, 62:2, 136-151,   DOI: 10.1080/00318884.2023.2169024

Maggie M. Reddy, Jamie du Plessis, Rouvay Roodt-Wilding, Robert J. Anderson & John J. Bolton (2023) The reinstatement of Plocamium robertiae (Rhodophyta, Plocamiales) and an updated species inventory of the genus in South Africa, Phycologia, 62:2, 194-202, DOI: 10.1080/00318884.2023.2174342 

Fakee J, Bolton JJ, Le Roes-Hill M, Durrell KA, Antunes E, Beukes DR. Antimicrobial Activity of the Secondary Metabolites Isolated from a South African Red Seaweed, Laurencia corymbosa. Molecules. 2023; 28(5):2063. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052063

Mubaiwa B, Lerata MS, Sibuyi NRS, Meyer M, Samaai T, Bolton JJ, Antunes EM, Beukes DR. Green Synthesized sAuNPs as a Potential Delivery Platform for Cytotoxic Alkaloids. Materials. 2023; 16(3):1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16031319

Yamada N, Lepetit B, Mann DG, Sprecher BN, Buck JM, Bergmann P, Kroth PG, Bolton JJ, Dąbek P, Witkowski A, Kim SY (2023). Prey preference in a kleptoplastic dinoflagellate is linked to photosynthetic performance. The ISME Journal, 30:1-1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-023-01464-3 

Kyle Cavanaugh,* Kira Krumhansl,* Alejandro H. Buschmann, Thomas Wernberg * 
Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Trine Bekkby, Scott Bennett, John Bolton, Trevor Bringloe, Colette Feehan, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Jeong Ha Kim, Julio Lorda, Rebecca Martone, Kjell Magnus Norderhaug (2023) 2. Status Trends and Future Projections. In: United Nations Environment Programme (2023). Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests. Nairobi, 29-43.

De Vos, BC, Cyrus MD, Macey BM, Batik T, Bolton JJ (2023) Combining computer vision and standardised protocols for improved measurement of live sea urchins for research and industry. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries 3: 507-517. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.137

Bachoo T, Bolton JJ, Macey BM, Kanjengo L, Reddy MM (2023). Resolving the identity of commercially cultivated Ulva (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta) in integrated seaweed-abalone aquaculture farms in South Africa. Journal of Phycology DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13391 

Bolton JJ, McQuaid CM (2023). Marine macroalgae of the Agulhas marine province of South Africa: biodiversity, exploitation and potential for aquaculture. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 221-234

Coleman MA, Reddy M, Nimbs MJ, Marshell A, Salim, Al-Ghassani SA, Bolton JJ, Jupp BP, De Clerck O, Leliaert F, Champion C, Pearson G, Serrão, Madeira P, Wernberg T (2022). Loss of a globally unique kelp forest and genetic diversity from the Northern Hemisphere. Nature Sci. Rep. 12: 5020

Flower E. Msuya, John Bolton, Fred Pascal, Koushul Narrain, Betty Nyonje, Elizabeth J. Cottier-Cook (2022).  Seaweed farming in Africa: current status and future potential. J. Appl. Phycol. 34: 985-1005.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02676-w 

Assis J, Neiva J, Bolton JJ, Rothman MD, Gouveia L, Paulino C, Mohdnasir H, Anderson RJ, Reddy M, Kandjengo L, Kreiner A, Pearson G, Serrão E (2022). Ocean currents shape the genetic structure of the kelp Laminaria pallida in southwestern Africa. J. Biogeog. 49: 822-835.  DOI: 10.1111/jbi.14338 

Veenhof RJ, Champion C, Dworjayn SA, Wernberg T, Minne AJP, Layton C, Bolton JJ, Reed DC, Coleman MA (2022). Kelp gametophytes in changing oceans. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 60: 337-374

Fleischman MJ, Bolton JJ, Rothman MD (2021) Macrocystis (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in South Africa: potential for cultivation through holdfast fragmentation and use as feed for the aquacultured abalone, Haliotis midae. J Appl Phycol 33: 173-1740 

Vieira C, Rasoamanendrika FA, Zubia M, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ, Engelen AH, D’hondt S, Leliaert F, Payri C, Kawai H, De Clerck O (2021). Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) from the western Indian Ocean: diversity and biogeography. South African Journal of Botany 142: 230-246

Cottier-Cook, E.J., Nagabhatla, N., Asri, A., Beveridge, M., Bianchi, P., Bolton, J.J., Bondad-Reantaso, M.G., Brodie, J., Buschmann, A., Cabarubias, J., Campbell, I., Chopin, T., Critchley, A., De Lombaerde, P., Doumeizel, V., Gachon, C.M.M., Hayashi, L., Hewitt, C.L., Huang, J., Hurtado, A.Q., Kambey, C., Kim, G.H., Le Masson, V., Lim, P.E., Liu, T., Malin, G., Matoju, I., Montalescot, V., Msuya, F.E., Potin, P., Puspita, M., Qi, Z., , Shaxson, L., Sousa Pinto, I., Stentiford, G.D., Suyo, J., Yarish, C. (2021). Ensuring the sustainable future of the rapidly expanding global seaweed aquaculture industry – a vision. United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies and Scottish Association for Marine Science Policy Brief. ISBN 978-92-808-9135-5

Bolton JJ (2020). The problem of naming commercial seaweeds. Journal of Applied Phycology 32: 751-758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-019-01928-0

Reddy MM, De Clerck O, Leliaert F, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ (2020) An appraisal of the genus Pyropia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from southern Africa based on a multi-gene phylogeny, morphology and ecology, including the description of Pyropia meridionalis sp. nov. South African Journal of Botany 131: 18-32.

Onomu AJ, Vine NG, Cyrus MD, Macey BM, Bolton JJ. (2020) The effect of fresh seaweed and a formulated diet supplemented with seaweed on the growth and gonad quality of the collector sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, under farm conditions. Aquacult Res. 2020: 51, 4087–4102. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14752

Rothman MD, Anderson RJ, Kandjengo L, Bolton JJ (2020). Trends in seaweed resource use and aquaculture in South Africa and Namibia over the last 30 years. Botanica Marina 63: 315-325 https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2019-0074 

Santiañez  WJE, Al-bader D, West JA, Bolton JJ, Kogame K (2020) Status, morphology, and phylogenetic relationships of Iyengaria (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae), a brown algal genus with a disjunct distribution in the Indian Ocean. Phycological Res. 68: 323-331 doi: 10.1111/pre.12438 

Reddy MM, Stegenga H, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ. (2020) An updated species inventory of Callithamnion sensu lato Rhodophyta, Callithamniaceae in South Africa with the description of Callithamnion africanum sp. nov.  Phytotaxa 461: 139-154  doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.461.3.1

Gopeechund A, Bhagooli R, Neergheen VS, Bolton JJ, Bahorun T (2020). 14. Anticancer activities of marine macroalgae: status and future perspectives. In: Biodiversity and Biomedicine: Our Future, in Ozturk M, Egamberdieva D, Pĕsić M (Eds) pp. 257-276. Academic Press, London. ISBN 9780128195413.

Michael G. Knott, Jo-Anne de la Mare, Adrienne L. Edkins, Angel Zhang, Martin J. Stillman, John J. Bolton, Edith M. Antunes, Denzil R. Beukes (2019). Plaxenone A and B: Cytotoxic halogenated monoterpenes from the South African red seaweed Plocamium maxillosum. Phytochemistry Letters 29: 182-185.

Wernberg T, Coleman MA, Babcock RC, Bell SY, Bolton JJ, Connell SD, Hurd CL, Johnson CR, Marzinelli EM, Shears NT, Steinberg PD, Thomsen MS, Vanderklift MA, Vergés A, Wright JT. (2019). Biology and ecology of the globally significant kelp Ecklonia radiata. Ocean. Mar. Biol. Ann. Rev. 57: 265-324.

Dyer DC, Butler MJ, Smit AJ, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ (2019) Kelp forest POM during upwelling and downwelling conditions: using stable isotopes to differentiate between detritus and phytoplankton. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 619:17-34. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12941 

Dyer DC, Butler MJ, Smit AJ, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ (2019) Variability in stable isotope values of South African Laminariales, Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida, over different spatial and temporal scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 628: 55-71.
 
Yamada N, Bolton JJ, Trobajo R, Mann D, Dabek P, Witkowski A, Onuma R, Horiguchi T, Kroth P (2019). Discovery of a kleptoplastic ‘dinotom’ dinoflagellate and the unique nuclear dynamics of converting kleptoplastids to permanent plastids Scientific Reports 9:10474 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46852-y

Cyrus, M.D., Bolton, J.J., Macey, B.M. (2019) The use of stable δ13C and δ15N isotopes to track the incorporation of important dietary ingredients into the gonads of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla. Aquaculture Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12979

Fleischman MJ, Bolton JJ, Rothman MD (2019) Macrocystis (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) in South Africa: distribution, morphology, and potential susceptibility to warming events. Journal of Applied Phycology 32: 2447–2457 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-019-01980-w