Coast KZN

Durban recorded more sardine activity with three successful nettings at its beaches yesterday. The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board said the netting took place between Virginia and the Durban Beach Front.

The KZN Sharks Board conducted a sardine observation flight through to Hluleka Reserve in the Eastern Cape waters on Tuesday. The board’s acting head of operations, Greg Thompson, said there were thin pockets scattered throughout the area on a slightly deeper line without any predator activity. Thompson said the pockets were moving South at midday.

“As we continued south to the area between Umdoni Point and Sezela, there were decent-size shoals of sardines seen scattered throughout the area just behind the back line and in the surf zone,” he said.

He said some of those pockets were being harassed by sharks and gamefish. Thompson said it was reported that Yellowfin tuna were seen feeding on one of the pockets very close to the rocks at Umdoni Point.

One net landed in Sezela, but other attempts were unsuccessful, he said, adding that there were also large pods of Bottlenose dolphins spotted in Sezela. He said small pockets were spotted in the surf zone and back line through to Hibberdene.

“The next concentration of sardines was between Leisure Bay and Port Edward where approximately 70 small pockets were seen 1km to 2km offshore, all moving north, with no visible predator activity.”

Thompson said the board would continue to closely monitor sardine activity and remove or replace shark safety gear as required. He urged communities to confirm the bathing status with the lifeguards on duty before entering the water.