The KZN Sharks Board conducted a sardine observation  flight into the Eastern Cape waters. 

The first sign of sardine activity on the trip south was between Warner Beach and Karridene where large shoals of sardines were seen scattered throughout this area just behind the backline and in the surf zone.

Greg Thompson of KZN Sharks Board said netting took place from first light, they netted about 11 times, which amounted to about 1650 crates of sardines.

There were also reports of  some game fish being landed off the beach in this area. 

The remainder of the KZN coast, was fairly quiet but the poor water visibility did not help  when trying to spot pockets of these fish, especially when they are not being followed by  predators. 

The next concentration of activity was in the Eastern Cape waters between Goss Point and  Mbotyi River mouth. Here there were numerous pockets of sardines accompanied by in  excess of 2000 bottlenose dolphins and about 3000 common dolphins, together with rafts of  gannets and Bryde’s whales which are known to feed on sardines.

There is a possibility that  this concentration of activity may be another wave of fish heading towards the KZN waters.  Further south between the Mpande River Mouth and Presley’s Bay there were also large concentrations of around 1000 bottlenose dolphins in the backline and about 3000 common dolphins further offshore. There were no actual shoals of sardines visible on the surface in this area. 

“Weather and sea predictions are looking favourable for the next few days, so hopefully we will get to see some more sardine related action, this weekend,” said Mr Thompson.

The Sharks Board will continue to closely monitor sardine activity and remove or replace shark safety gear as required. Bathing is still banned from Port Edward to Isipingo as a  precaution due to the sardine movement. 

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