Sardines seen frolicking from Port Edward, Hibberdene, Scottburgh to Toti

THE sardines have created much excitement both on and offshore. While humans rush frantically to net crates of sardines, the sharks, game fish and Cape Gannets are leaping, diving and enjoying the annual fest.

“I have just heard that there is now sardine activity all the way down to Port Edward this morning and sardines have just been netted at Hibberdene,” said KZN Sharks Board’s (KZNSB) Acting: Head of Operations, Greg Thompson at about 9am today, (Thursday morning). 

“At the moment the bathing between Isipingo and Port Edward is banned due to the sardine related activity in these areas. If you are unsure about the bathing status please make sure you chat to the lifeguards before entering the water.”

 There has been an increase in sardine related activity between Bazely and Amanzimtoti  the past few days, according to Thompson.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) morning it was reported that from first light, shoals of sardines started rising to the surface about 1km offshore and this activity stretched from Kelso through to Umdoni Point which is about 5km.

“There were scattered shoals inshore as well but these shoals looked thin on the surface,” he said.

Sharks were seen jumping in among the offshore shoals and there were 40-50 Cape Gannets diving in this area. At one stage yellowfin tuna were seen smashing through some of the inshore shoals.

“There were numerous attempted nettings which were unsuccessful at Pennington, Scottburgh, Illovo and Winkle that we know of and there were two confirmed nettings at Amanzimtoti. The two nets consisted of around 15 crates and 250 crates.”

It was also reported that there was quite a lot of game fish activity with the sardines in this area.

Yesterday afternoon just before sunset, the pockets of sardines had moved right into the backline at Scottburgh so hopefully, today is going to be busy.

Thompson said the weather is due to change tomorrow morning with a fresh South Westerly predicted so make sure you take advantage of any action today.

Once again, these fish are very unpredictable and are capable of doing disappearing acts overnight.

At the moment the bathing between Isipingo and Scottburgh is banned due to the sardine related activity in these areas.

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

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