T R AV E L
USCT SHARES UNIQUE UNDERWATER IMAGES OF BUMPER 2020 SARDINE RUN ON THE KZN SOUTH COAST The cold spell in June saw sardine activity increase on the KwaZuluNatal (KZN) South Coast and Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) has been able to share some breathtaking under-water footage of the #GreatestShoalonEarth. These
commercial fishing and shifts
images and videos were taken by
in the way animals respond to
Dr Ryan Daly of the Oceanographic
environments, many scientists
netted enough sardines for
Research Institute whilst out
were worried that bumper sardine
themselves but that there were
spearfishing near Scottburgh.
runs were a thing of the past,
still so many sardines beyond
“What a bonanza of fish we
so it’s fantastic to see the
saw, it was overwhelming with so many sardines! As both a scientist and
surge in activity. It should bode well for a great season.”
as couta fish, tuna and snoek. “It was great to see that people
those that could be netted – what a bounty for the community and wildlife along the coast! It’s been amazing to witness the
someone who has
He said
change in people’s attitudes to the
been following the
the COVID-19
sharks over the years as well,” he
sardines for many
pandemic meant
continued. “People were releasing
years, it was amazing
that, unlike
sharks from the nets and showing
to see the volume of
previous years,
respect for these important
sardines,” explained
there hasn’t been
aquatic animals. This area is
Daly. “Certainly, it’s the most sardines I’ve ever seen on the KZN South Coast. With climate change, potential pressure from
anyone closely following sardines on the Wild Coast. “We don’t actually know how much activity there was on the Wild Coast and whether this is just a pocket
SILVER DIGEST // WINTER 2020
particular, which are endangered, and it was so special to see these sharks and the respect people have for them.” Check out the ‘South Coast
that showed up on the South Coast,
Tourism’ Facebook page and
or if it was preceded by a much
@infosouthcoast on Twitter for
larger volume. We’ll just have
breath-taking images of seine
to wait to see, over the next few
netters on the shore; aerial footage
weeks, if this is followed by even
of shark activity by drone pilot
more sardines. We certainly are
@saltywaveslider; and underwater
way overdue for a big run!”
footage by Dr Ryan Daly. For
Commenting on the recent
14
a nursery for dusky sharks in
more information about the KZN
predatory activity, Daly said the
South Coast and USCT, visit
sardine volume had attracted dusky
www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za or
sharks, bronze whaler sharks
download the free ‘Explore KZN
and spinner sharks to feed on the
South Coast’ app to find a local
shoals, as well as big game fish such
supplier. •
