Shark nets removed for sardine run

DURBAN’S North and South beaches have been closed to swimmers because shark safety nets have been removed to make way for the sardines which are on the way to Durban.

“The closure is effective immediately and beaches will only be re-opened once the sardine run has passed through,” the eThekwini Municipality said.

Heavy sardine activity on the South Coast had seine netters in a frenzy for the whole week as they converged on various beaches trying not to miss the action.

With some of the most intense activity seen in a long time, sardine lovers have been waiting to know where the sardines will travel to next and when they will arrive at Durban’s central beaches.

Yesterday, the KwaZuluNatal Sharks Board’s Greg Thompson reported that there were numerous unidentified pockets of bait fish scattered from uMhlanga, but the main concentration of sardine activity had been between Pennington and Sezela.

“Shark safety gear has been removed from all protected beaches, from the Durban beachfront to Port Edward,” Thompson said.

Area

“Netting along the Durban beachfront was removed this morning (yesterday) in anticipation of the sardines moving into this area over the next few days,” he said.

The Sharks Board appealed to members of the public to exercise caution in the water during this time.

The board will also continue to monitor the movement of the shoals and manage the shark safety gear in consultation with the affected coastal municipalities.