Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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21 Jun 2019

Sardines sighted edging closer to KZN waters

(North Coast Courier) Picture: The sardine run is already drawing much attention. This photo by John Lamberti was taken during one of the previous sardine runs.

Avid followers of the annual sardine run will be happy to know that there is a strong chance that the sardines are making their way closer to our KZN coastline.  According to the KZN Sharks Board, there has been an increase in sardine related activity between Manteku and Mbotyi over the past few days. One of the dive operators in that area, Walter Bernardis, reported that they had seen birds and dolphins feeding over an area that covered about 10 rugby fields, which was amazing to watch. Most of this action took place on Wednesday but it had dispersed by the next day.

“He did report that they thought this was the first pulse of sardines which had gone past towards KZN,” said KZNSB head of operations Greg Thompson.

There is a frontal system approaching, so hopefully this keeps pushing the fish north.

“We have just heard from a commercial skiboat which has steamed from Port Edward to Water Fall Bluff. There has been a definite increase in action in the Luphuthana Mouth area, which could be the fish which were at Mbotyi on Wednesday.

“There is also common dolphin activity off Waterfall Bluff which is always a good sign.

Excitement is looming as the 2019 sardine run begins. Photo: Kay Robertson – Ugu South Coast Tourism.

“Bear in mind that most of the reporting and feedback we are receiving is in the inshore areas, so as we all know there is always a possibility of being surprised anywhere by fish which have moved through undetected in the deeper waters.”

These fish are very unpredictable and have always kept us all guessing about their movement. There are always numerous opinions but one seldom guesses right when it comes to sardines.

“Let’s hope that some of this activity arrives in KZN sometime this weekend.”

The KZNSB will continue to monitor activity in the days ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

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