Sardines are known for their remarkable swimming behaviour called ‘bait balls’.

According to a Facebook post by Offshore Africa Port St Johns, when threatened by predators, such as dolphins, whales, or larger fish, sardines instinctively form tightly packed groups, or bait balls, as a defensive mechanism.

“This behaviour confuses predators and makes it difficult for them to target individual fish, increasing the chances of survival for the sardines.”

Video footage by Josh Herisson.