Fish galore as long-absent sardine run returns
THE greatest shoal on earth made an appearance on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast yesterday, with hundreds of crates of sardines being netted.
Fisherman Kenny Dickens said it was a very exciting day as the silver fish were spotted on the lower south coast from Ramsgate to St Michael’s.
Dickens‚ who has been fishing for about 35 years‚ said it was one of the best sardine runs he had witnessed in several years.
“We netted about 300 baskets at St Michael’s.”
St Michael’s Beach lifeguard Geordie Simpkins said it was fantastic to see the sardine run after a few years.
“It was manic to see guys with their bakkies and crates driving up and down the beach – it was awesome.”
Hundreds of people, armed with buckets‚ packets and crates, gathered on the beach as news spread that shoals of the sardines had been netted.
It has been about five years since the last good sardine run was experienced in the province.
There were some tense moments as fishermen tried to keep the public away from their profitable haul, but they eventually relented and allowed residents to grab their share. By mid-afternoon‚ sardines were being snapped up at R100 for three dozen at various spots around Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board head of operations Mike Anderson-Reade said the activity on the lower south coast was ongoing and “may continue over the next few days”.
He urged bathers to check with lifeguards to check whether swimming was allowed before entering the water.