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
Back
14 Jun 2018

Small batches of sardines spotted off KZN coast

The Mercury Picture: Pockets of sardines have been spotted (Picture: Marco Bello)

“A small shoal of sardines was spotted during a recent trip out to Port St Johns, undertaken by the KZN Sharks Board this week. “

The board received reports on Thursday morning of sardine and associated predator activity spotted in the Waterfall Bluff area off the Eastern Cape coast.

“Waterfall Bluff is about 45kms south of KwaZulu-Natal. The Board’s interest in the annual run is to ensure that any shoals of sardines that are accompanied by large groups of predators are monitored and that the shark safety gear is managed accordingly to minimise any negative environmental impact of the gear,” explained Sharks Board Operations Head, Mike Anderson-Reade.

He said numerous shoals of various species of baitfish remain visible off the KZN coast. These shoals consist of mixed bait fish which include small numbers of sardines and are commonly found off KZN during this time of the year.

“It was very interesting to see what we were sure were small pockets of sardines off Ramsgate, Mtwalume and Umtentweni. These small shoals were easily visible just behind backline with a few also seen in the mid break. These were however no signs of any predator activity with them,” he said.

A mixture of a few thousand common and bottlenose dolphins were seen very close inshore stretching from Mboyti to Port St Johns all moving northwards. Numerous pockets of sardines were observed just behind the backline from Mkhambati southwards to Port St Johns. It was unusual that very few Cape gannets were seen with this activity however we suspect that higher concentrations of these birds are probably further south with the larger shoals of fish that were seen it the Cob Inn/Mazeppa Bay area last week Thursday.

The KZN Sharks Board commenced with the removal of shark safety gear on the lower south coast today and the public will be informed of the bathing status of the beaches once the exercise has been completed. The Board will continue to monitor the activity and manage bathing at protected beaches in consultation with the coastal municipalities.

 

Online Article