Greatest Shoal on Earth continues

South Coast anglers have experienced an abundance of fish yet again this week, helped in no small way by a wonderful Sardine Run.

This July has been pretty good, with plenty of shad on the bite all along the coast.

Garrick, kingfish, kob, Natal snoek and bream have also been on the bite, plus more.

With the sardines still around and with more cold fronts approaching, the signs are there for more excellent winter fishing.

Sardines were netted at Shelly Beach, St Mike’s, Umkomaas and Amanzimtoti during the past week.

Wayne Harrison, the acting head of department of operations for the KZN Sharks Board, said the 2024 Sardine Run had been good for a number of reasons.

“We have had regular nettings with a gap of a few days so as not to flood the market. There has been a steady flow of sardines coming through, with sardines in the surf zone on some days and other days behind backline. This has kept the interest high,” he said.

He said the Greatest Shoal on Earth has been visible on most mornings, with some spectacular performances at first light.

“This is what the run is all about; good viewing of both the animals and the fish been netted,” he said.

The good news is that there are masses of sardines in the Port St Johns area, some shoals up to 15m in depth, according to reports on Monday this week.

Harrison said sardine netting plays only a small part of the Sardine Run and only takes place in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Netting does attract the crowds and is a good tourism marketing tool. It is exciting for the public to watch, and the netters do bring the fish onto the beach, which is great for tourism and the fishermen,” he said.

Remember, responsible fishing means keeping the shoreline as clean as possible. Keep to the fishing regulations relating to bag limits. Anglers, send your catch of the day to sugann@dbn.caxton.co.za.

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