Sardine optimism in KZN waters after slim pickings

DURBAN: After two years of slim pickings, things are looking good for sardines to hit the vicinity of Durban soon.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board reported good catches near Umgababa over the past few days, increasing the likelihood shoals would appear off Durban soon.

The board said there had been a substantial increase in sardine activity along the KZN coastline over the past two days, with nettings made at Umgababa and Illovo early on Wednesday.

“Five nets of about 80 crates of sardines each have successfully been caught by the seine netters.”

The selling price per crate unknown at this time.

An aerial monitoring flight by the Sharks Board this week revealed many small pockets of sardines mostly in the mid-break area of the surf zone between Umbogintwini and Ifafa beach.

“Unfortunately there is still a fairly strong 1.5m swell along the coast, which has resulted in turbid inshore visibility, making it quite difficult for the seine netters to spot and access the fish.

“The prospects for sardines to arrive off the Durban beachfront

There is a good possibility some of these shoals will move on to the lower South Coast

is area during the next few days appear to be good. However, movement of these fish is always difficult to forecast.”

The board said there was also noticeable sardine activity south of KZN, extending from Mkhambati to Waterfall Bluff in the Eastern Cape.

“There is a good possibility some of these shoals will move on to the lower South Coast of KZN during the coming week.

“After two years of no sardine run, it looks very promising that we will have a better run this year.”

All shark safety nets south of Durban remained out of the water, and the board said it would continue to monitor sardine movements and respond accordingly.