The KZN Sharks Board conducted an observation flight into the Eastern Cape waters yesterday (June 8) to assess the movement of the sardine shoals thus far.

The flight departed from Virginia airport and turned at East London.

Greg Thompson of KZN Sharks Board said the water was discoloured, from Virginia right through to East London, with patches of two metre visibility occasionally.

These conditions were probably due to the large swell over the weekend, which contributed to silt being churned up off the sea bed.

However there were good numbers of common dolphin, with terns feeding on the clean water line offshore, between Grosvenor and Mboyti in the Eastern Cape.

The gannet and dolphin activity then increased again in the Coffee Bay to Wavecrest area and once again off the Kei River mouth.

However the large concentrations of gannets seen a month ago seem to have disappeared for now.

Although some of the activity may have been sardine-related, no actual sardine shoals were seen on this flight due to the poor water visibility.

Patches of fish oil were seen regularly, but all further offshore.

Hopefully the activity will improve once the sea settles and the visibility improves.

The next flight to East London is scheduled for June 14, however this is dependent on weather conditions. The Head of Operations of the KZNSB will continue to update information on activity as and when flights have been completed.

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