Over the past weeks, there has been much excitement as millions of sardines have made their annual run along the Eastern Cape coastline to the South Coast of KZN.

The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) says this year’s sardine run started positively, with several reports of a large shoal of sardines just south of Port St John in the Eastern Cape, and a frenzy of activity on the middle to lower South Coast from June 10, as hundreds of human and marine predators enjoyed the easy pickings.

“These sardines are probably part of an initial pilot shoal that comes up the coast at the start of the season and are hopefully a sign of more things to come. The sardine run is an incredible phenomenon taking place every year as sardines follow a cold tongue of coastal water inshore,” said Dr Ryan Daly, a scientist at the Oceanographic Research Institute.

SAAMBR said in a statement on Facebook that sardines prefer a temperature of about 19°C and migrate in a northerly direction. However, sometimes they get stuck as a patch of warm water pushes inshore early in the season.

“The sardines are typically pursued by all kinds of predators, including common dolphins, Bryde’s whales and gannets in the Eastern Cape and typically more sharks, such as dusky, blacktip, spinner and bronze whaler sharks, when they get to KZN,” read the statement.

“As the sardines form tight schools as a response to predation, it provides the opportunity for all these predators to feed on these fish that are rich in fat and important food source at this time of year.”

Water Safety- Amazing Visuals from the Sardine Run at Port St John’s might reveal why it is safer to remain on the beach! https://t.co/31JDiDJOKV #ArriveAlive #SardineRun @NSRI @LifesavingSA @PCMFSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/yg6msFwgJy

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 20, 2023

According to SAAMBR, such shoals of sardines are pushed inshore in KZN and can be seen from the beach, giving netters a chance to make their catch.

Your best chance to see sardines is on days when the sea is calm, with a smaller swell and good water visibility.

“We hope that this season continues to be productive, and more sardines make their way up the coast to KZN.”

South Coast Herald reported that sardines were first netted and seen on June 10 in Margate, Hibberdene, Mtwalume, Ifafa and Pumula beaches.

It was also reported that after the first successful netting at Ifafa, sardines were brought to Park Rynie and sold for R1 300 per crate (later dropped to R500 in the afternoon) and R50 a dozen.

“We’re so excited to welcome the Sardine Run to the KZN South Coast, a hugely anticipated natural phenomenon that always arrives in its own time,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise.

“This is a bucket-list event for divers, anglers and ocean lovers, with sightings of the migrating humpback whales also a real treat. While there are many ways to view the sardine run, we do advise bathers that the shark nets have to be lifted for their safe movement, making it vital to check with lifeguards on duty as to which beaches are open for bathing.”

Ocean frenzy…sardine run….
Common dolphins, gannets, and a brydes whale.
Port Alfred… pic.twitter.com/22KgZR3f89

— 𝒢𝒾𝓃𝒿𝒶 (@Ginja101ninja) June 14, 2023

The annual sardine run has reached KZN’s shores. The Sapphire Coast welcomed the arrival of the sardine shoal on 13 June at the Amazimtoti Main Beach, Warner Beach, and Doonside Beach.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/GcUKH0AoVn

— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) June 16, 2023

Anyone for a swim? 🦈😱
Sardine run 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/GzSDzN7SYD

— Racing Ryan 🇿🇦🇧🇪 (@Schwartz_RA) June 20, 2023