No sards as far as the eye can see
Round herring and mackerel sightings confirmed by KZNSB and dive operators
The KZN Sharks Board (KZNSB) failed to sight any sardines on its most recent observation flight early on Thursday morning, with none of the elusive fish visible off or approaching the KZN coast from the Eastern Cape.
Many small pockets of East Coast round herring (red eye sardines) and mackerel were clearly visible from Port St Johns to the Mbhashe River mouth.
These were accompanied by several hundred dolphins that feed on the shoals. Visual confirmation of the bait fish species was obtained from local dive operators.
The sardine run only takes place in ideal conditions, with a particular tolerance for water temperatures of 19.5° C and below. Currently, water temperatures along the South Coast remain around 21.5° C which is generally too warm for sardines.
Also notable by their absence during the flight were Cape gannets. When the sardines are about, these birds are normally found in great numbers as sardines are their preferred prey.
The sardine run is notoriously unpredictable and the current situation could change very quickly. All shark safety gear remains in place at the 37 protected beaches along the KZN coastline and the KZNSB will continue to closely monitor their activity.
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