UPDATE: Bumper sardine run hits the South Coast
Sardines expected in Durban this weekend.
It’s been an exciting start to the annual sardine run as eager fishermen on the South Coast hauled in thousands of sardines over the weekend.
Sardines were netted for most of the day on Sunday, with each net averaging around 500 crates of sardines per net.
The biggest net taken yielded 1000 crates which is a massive haul for one net.
Netters have however been having problems with sharks biting through their nets in an attempt to get at the fish inside.
“I’ve been in the business for over 40 years, and I can tell you that it’s a truly exceptional and phenomenal year,” said KZN Sharks Board head of operations, Mike Anderson-Reade said.
“We haven’t witnessed this for ages. It’s a spectacle to see with hundreds of sharks following the shoals.”
Activity in the area stretching from Park Rynie through to Ifafa was intense on Monday morning, with many large shoals of sardines visible close to the shore.
These shoals are accompanied by hundreds of sharks which are also clearly visible from the air.
Smaller pockets occur from Ifafa through to Margate.
“A number of nets of sardines have been taken in the Pennington area and judging by what was seen from the air this is certainly the best run we have experienced in many years.
“We expect this activity to move northwards over the next 24 hours possibly to the Karridene/Warner beach area and we may well even see sardines arriving off the Durban beachfront by this coming weekend.”
Reliable reports from the Eastern Cape are that there are large shoals of sardines in the Mbashe River area.
It however remains to be seen if these will continue northwards to KZN shores over the coming weeks.
Shark safety gear has been removed from the beaches from Isipingo to Port Edward.
The Sharks Board appeals to members of the public to exercise caution should they enter the water due to the high numbers of sharks accompanying these sardine shoals.
The Board will continue to monitor the movement of the shoals and will manage the shark safety gear in consultation with the coastal municipalities that are affected.
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