KZN Sharks Board ready for 2019 sardine run

Local fishermen and avid followers of the annual sardine runs are waiting in anticipation after reports of sardine related activity was recently confirmed between the Nqabara River Mouth and the Dwesa Marine Reserve.

According to the KZN Sharks Board (KZNSB), it was reported that there were large shoals of fish spotted with thousands of gannets feeding in amongst these shoals.

“We also received a report late Tuesday afternoon of activity in the Rame Heads area which is 26 km South of Port St Johns. This consisted of common dolphins and gannets feeding in this area,” said head of operations, Greg Thompson.

There have been no further sightings of much activity north of this but hopefully the sardine activity will increase between Port St Johns and Port Edward after the cold front passes later this evening.

“Please keep in mind that most of the reporting and feedback we are receiving is in the inshore areas, so as we all know there is always a possibility of being surprised by fish which have moved through undetected in the deeper waters.

“These fish are very unpredictable and have always kept us all guessing about their movement.

“There are always numerous opinions but one seldom guesses right when it comes to sardines. It is probably just as well otherwise the sardine stocks might have been non-existent by now,” said Thompson.

The KZNSB will continue to monitor activity in the days ahead.

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