In March 2005, meetings of both the Regional Management Committee of ACEP and ASCLMEs' Steering Committee agreed that South Africa should host the ASCLMEs. South Africa accepted, and different locations within South Africa bid for the priviledge of hosting ASCLMEs secretariat.

A joint bid put together by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Grahamstown and Bayworld in Port Elizabeth won the bidding process. SAIAB already hosts the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP). Recent meetings decided that the majority of management and administration would be accommodated at SAIAB in Grahamstown alongside the ACEP secretariat. Environmental Education, Public Awareness, Training and Capacity Building would be run from offices at Bayworld in Port Elizabeth.

A Memorandum of Understanding which defines relationships between the two projects has been developed. Given the significant overlap in the scientific objectives of both programmes, it is logical that both co-operate to share resources and data to maximise the return on investment of both projects in the region, avoiding unnecessary and wasteful duplication of effort. ACEP's existing dataset and experience in the region will prove invaluable to the ASCLMEs project. Both projects will however retain their own separate identities, but will work together to share resources. The synergies realised through the close association of both projects is expected to bring rich rewards to the region.

The exact starting date of the ASCLMEs project is uncertain, however, the target dates are July/August 2006.