Scene set for Sardine Run

Temperatures are dropping and the aloes are in full bloom along the South Coast which means that the annual Sardine Run is on its way, said South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE, said not only does the South Coast enjoy some of the country’s best winter weather conditions, it is also fortunate enough to offer front-row seats to the annual Sardine Run.

“An incredible spectacle to behold and one of our greatest natural phenomena. The past few years we’ve experienced some of the best Sardine Runs, with a lot of shoal activity close to shore. We’re optimistic that the 2023 run will be just as spectacular for all our visitors and anglers. It is a calendar highlight for local fishermen who haul in big catches to sell directly to the public, fisheries, and restaurants,” said Mangcu.

Local seine netter, Demetre Stamatis, said they had already noted a lot of fish activity up the coast with pilot shoals passing Mazeppa Bay (Eastern Cape) and Hagga Hagga (Wild Coast), saying that there’s a good chance the shoals will be arriving in the next few weeks.

Stamatis added that the importance of the migration for local anglers on a commercial side, there are a number of netting licence holders that rely on the Sardine Run to supplement their income.

“And a number of the buyers need the supplementary income generated by the catch because this time of year, they can’t rely on fresh vegetables and fish. There are also those who process the sardines for sale later in the year which can be a cheap and viable resource. It is difficult to determine a good number of nets per season because the more sardines that are caught, the lower the price they can be sold for. The Sardine Run can go on for up to six weeks, and daily netting can be up to 15 nets a day – but this is the exception rather than a rule. There will be a lot of days that only one or two nets are taken,” said Stamatis.

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