#SardineRun2019: Silver frenzy hits Amanzimtoti beaches
Beachgoers are asked to remain cautious during the nettings, and do their part for the environment, by ensuring all plastic, gut and hooks are cleared from the beach afterwards.
THE much anticipated silver shoals were netted over the weekend in Amanzimtoti and this was the first netting to take place along the KZN coastline this year.
Beachgoers are asked to remain cautious during the nettings, and do their part for the environment, by ensuring all plastic, gut and hooks are cleared from the beach afterwards.
KZN Sharks Board’s acting head of operations and Toti local, Greg Thompson, explained that the first sign of actual sardines was last Monday, 23 June when shoals were spotted between Port Edward and Glenmore.
“The sea conditions turned sour for a few days after that, and then they were spotted at Toti five days later where the first netting of sardines took place for the season on Saturday, 29 June. The netting continued on the Sunday. Monday and Tuesday have been quiet this week, but as sea conditions settled we had had lots of activity between Scottburgh and Pennington on Wednesday, 3 July,” he said.
“It is so difficult to predict the sards’ movement. They can disappear as quickly as they arrive. The shoals are well-known for proving us as all wrong with their cat-and-mouse movements. There is some bad weather expected this weekend, so the safest bet is to take advantage of the fish when they are visible and in the area, otherwise you may miss out.”
Amanzimtoti beach manager, Jace Govender, warned beach goers to remain cautious when enjoying the festivities.
“We had a 250kg gray shark, a 70kg black fin shark and many diamond rays and skates caught over the weekend at Amanzimtoti,” said Jace. “People jump into the water next to the nets, forgetting that many things follow the nets right onto the beaches, including big sharks. You also need to be cautious of the fishermen casting lines right alongside and vehicles back and forth on the beach. Enjoy, but remain cautious of your surroundings.”
The beach manager explained that due to a storm in the Eastern Cape, greater shoals have broken up into smaller ones and for that, there is scattered sardine action along the coastline, as seen on Wednesday where boats were out at Isipingo, Toti and Pennington.
Check out this ASFN update (Wednesday, 3 July):
Seeing the iconic run from a different angle, environmentally conscious community members took to social media platforms to express their distaste at the gluttony and greed too often evident in the crazed masses, who fight their way to take as many fish as they can, leaving many mangled on the beaches.
Hear a prominent local’s opinion of the frenzy:
The #SardineRun2019 a gluttonous and cruel affair [LETTER]
Nature having its feed:
https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryWhaleWatch/videos/258834128252239/
The Sun welcomes the community’s thoughts and feelings. Share your opinions with the Sun, by emailing letters through to southcoastsun@dbn.caxton.co.za.
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