Professor Sauer is the current Head of the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University. His interests and expertise lie in fisheries development, fisheries management, fisheries sector planning, strategies for implementing fisheries policy, institution building, the economic development of coastal communities through fishing, the development of community/public/ private sector  partnerships, and ecological research. Prior to his present position, he was a Research Officer, and Principal Oceanographic Researcher at the Dept of Marine and Coastal Management. He is a member of various international management bodies, including Executive Secretary for the Cephalopod International  Advisory Council, and Regional Coordinator for capacity building and  training for the Agulhas Somali Large Marine Ecosystem project. He is a leading researcher on the biology of commercially important squid species, with projects throughout the world.