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The KwaZulu-Natal sardine run of southern Africa occurs from May through July when billions of – or more specifically the Southern African pilchard Sardinops sagax – spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the east coast of South Africa. Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline. The run, containing millions of individual sardines, occurs when a current of cold water heads north from the Agulhas Bank up to Mozambique. Fisherman are sometimes observed singing songs while hauling in the fishing nets in typical South African style. It is estimated that the sardine run is the biggest Biomass migration in terms of numbers.
In terms of biomass, researchers estimate the sardine run could rival East Africa's great wildebeest migration. Marine Scientists Scratch Heads Over Sardines. Reuters. August 30, 2004 However, little is known of the phenomenon. It is believed that the water temperature has to drop below 21 °C in order for the migration to take place. In 2003, the sardines failed to 'run' for the third time in 23 years. While 2005 saw a good run, 2006 marked another non-run. Sardine Run
The shoals are often more than 7 km long, 1.5 km wide and 30 metres deep and are clearly visible from spotter planes or from the surface.
Sardines group together when they are threatened. This instinctual behaviour is a defence mechanism, as lone individuals are more likely to be eaten than when in large groups.
A recent interpretation of the causes is that the sardine run is most likely a seasonal reproductive migration of a genetically distinct subpopulation of sardine that moves along the coast from the eastern Agulhas Bank to the coast of KwaZulu-Natal in most years if not in every year.
Genomic and transcriptomic data indicate that the sardines participating in the run originate from South Africa's cool-temperate Atlantic coast. These are attracted to temporary cold-water upwelling off the south-east coast, and eventually find themselves trapped in subtropical habitat that is too warm for them.
The migration is restricted to the inshore waters by the preference of sardine for cooler water and the strong and warm offshore Agulhas Current, which flows in the opposite direction to the migration, and is strongest just off the continental shelf. A band of cooler coastal water and the occurrence of Natal Pulses and break-away eddies make it possible for sardine shoals to overcome their habitat constraints. The importance of these enabling factors is greatest where the continental shelf is narrowest.
The presence of eggs off the KwaZulu-Natal coast suggests that sardine stay there for several months and their return migration during late winter to spring is nearly always unnoticeable because it probably occurs at depths where the water is cooler than at the surface.
In some years there does not appear to be a sardine run. This may be because it is not detected by coastal observers either because it actually does not occur due to high water temperatures and/or other hydrographic barriers, or the migration may occur farther offshore and possibly deeper due to unusual conditions.
These distinct regions may affect sardine distribution and movement.
2017. [http://offshoreportstjohns.com/2017/07/18/southern-right-whales-sardine-run-2017/ Southern Right whales sardine run 2017] . Offshore Africa Port St. Johns. Retrieved on October 01, 2017世界の海からこんにちは～ダイバーの為の現地情報～. 2017. [http://www.hello-azul.jp/m13/essay/ クチコミとダイビング自慢 - 2017/07/11 行ってきました 南アフリカ・サーディンラン No.2]. Retrieved on October 01, 2017
Sharks and large gamefish presence is also strongly associated with sardine presence during the run, but as they are not as easily observed from the surface they are not as useful a predictor of sardine presence.
The presence of common dolphins inshore along the east coast during winter is significantly associated with sardine presence, and the common dolphin can be considered the third most useful species for predicting sardine presence.
The resident population of bottlenose dolphin does not appear to associate with the sardine run, whereas the migrant stock does. This may explain why the bottlenose dolphin is less likely to predict sardine presence.
The Sardine Run Association (www.thesardinerunassociation.org) has been formed to provide a link between tour operators, tourists, non-governmental organisations, scientists, and local and national governments.
Sardines were netted at Park Rynie on 21 June 2011. Some large nets of 200–300 baskets of sardines were taken. The baskets sold at R600 each. A large gathering of sardine predators was seen off Port Grosvenor on the Wild Coast. Thousands of and dolphins were seen in a continuous line of about 6 km between Brazen Head and just north of the Umtata River. It is suspected that this year's shoal is "massive", and will produce a "bumper run". Shark nets have been removed to the south of Durban. The first shoals were expected to reach Amanzimtoti on 23 June 2011.Langa, L. The Mercury: Bumper sardine run could be just around the corner, June 22, 2011. The main shoal was still near Port St Johns.Medley, L. Daily News: Sardines head for Amanzimtoti, June 22, 2011.
On 22 June 2011, a "few" baskets were netted at Umgababa beach, and a "handful" of baskets were netted at Warner Beach in the afternoon. Sardines were also netted at Isipingo, where 14 baskets were hauled out. The sardines therefore reached the Amanzimtoti area a day earlier than predicted.South Coast Sun: Early sardine surprise on Upper South Coast, June 24, 2011.
Rough seas (with waves up to 4.7 m) caused by strong winds associated with a cold front kept the sardines from the shore on 23 June 2011. Pockets of sardines were seen far out to sea off the Bluff. The rough water and far distance of the sardines from shore made it impossible for the fish to be netted. No dolphin or bird activity was seen in the Durban area associated with the sardines. The main shoal was still suspected to be off the Eastern Cape coastline,Daily News: Feeling Swell, June 23, 2011 with a report of some sardines still seen near Port St Johns on 22 and 23 June 2011.Shane's Fishing Blog: Sardine Run 2011, retrieved 24 June 2011.
Durban beaches were the scene of most netting activity on 27 June 2011. "Hundreds of baskets" of sardines were hauled onto the beaches in 13 nets. The price per basket was R350 in the morning, but later in the afternoon the price had dropped to R120 per basket.The Mercury: Rich Bounty, June 28, 2011. Each net contained in excess of 300 baskets of sardines, with one net containing around 500 baskets.The Citizen: Sardine run at fever pitch off South Coast, 29 June 2011. Sardines were also netted at Umhlanga, Port Shepstone, Margate, Umgababa, and Port Edward. Cape gannets and other seabirds were seen "plunging from considerable heights" to catch the sardines, especially on the South Coast.Daily News: Sardines all along the coastline, June 27, 2011. Most of the sardines were netted along the Durban beaches as this was the area of calmest waters; swells along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline were around 2.5 m.Daily News: Swells drop and sardines are there!, June 28, 2011 Shark nets had been removed from Salt Rock to Port Edward, and bathers were requested to consult with lifeguards before entering the water. Meanwhile, a baby dolphin washed up on the beach at Scottburgh, with a gash behind its "flipper" (the photo showed a gash between the dorsal fin and the tail) that exposed the spine. The "weeks old" dolphin was taken to a nearby paddling pool, but authorities later euthanasia it due to the severity of the injuries.Upper Coast Fever: Little Lost Stranger, July 1, 2011. Speculation was that the dolphin had been injured by a shark, or by a boat propeller; possibly related to the sardine run.
Swells dropped to 1–1.5 m on 28 June 2011, allowing more netting of sardines. Sardines were netted at Amanzimtoti; on the main beach and at Chain Rocks. A 22-year-old American marine biology student (research diver) named Paulo Edward Stanchi was attacked by a large dusky shark while diving at Aliwal Shoal. The group of divers had encountered a pocket of sardines when a 3 m long dusky shark bit Mr Stanchi on his left leg and hands. Mr Stanchi managed to free himself from the shark, and was treated on the diving boat before being transported to Rocky Bay, where medics stabilised him. He was then airlifted to Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Dusky sharks generally live offshore, but come closer to the shore during the sardine run. The annual sardine run allowed more dusky sharks in the Aliwal Shoal MPA than usual, but there was no reason for them to show any more interest in divers than usual. Mr Stanchi had been wearing split fins with black and grey stripes, and this may have looked like a small shoal of fish to the shark.South Coast Sun: Shark attacks diver off Aliwal Shoal, July 1, 2011.Sampson, B. The Citizen: Family to visit US shark Attack victim, 30 June 2011 Meanwhile, a woman in her 40s broke her leg in the frenzy at Amanzimtoti when the sardines were netted. The woman is believed to have been trying to get some of the sardines when she "stepped wrong" and fractured her leg. Paramedics stabilized her before transporting her to hospital.South Coast Sun: Sardine frenzy sees woman break her leg, July 1, 2011.
5 July 2011 was a "quiet day" for the sardine run. "Plenty of birds" were seen diving at Karridene close to the shore. 50 crates of sardines were taken at Umgababa in the early afternoon, while a net of sardines pulled in at Karridene contained some Lichia amia. More Garrick were caught by fishermen at Karridene, but in general there was little other game fish activity. There was reported to be a "massive shoal" of sardines off Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape.Daily News: Quiet Day disappoints anglers, but main shoal on its way, July 6, 2011.
On 15 July 2011, 100 baskets were netted at Pennington. It was difficult to predict the sardines' movements as they were staying offshore.Waterworth, T. The Independent on Saturday: Fishing Tragedy Averted, 16 July 2011.
On 20 July 2011, 300 baskets of sardines were netted at Pennington in the morning. There were many gannets off Ballito, and "quite a bit of fish" between Park Rynie and Mtwalume.Medley, L. Daily News: Sardine surges almost at an end, July 20, 2011
A strong cold front hit South Africa towards the end of July, causing land surface temperatures to drop below 10 °C over much of the country.IOL News: Cold front hits SA: http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/cold-front-hits-sa-1.1108277, retrieved 23 August 2011. Heavy snow falls were experienced in high lying areas, including Nottingham Road, Mooi River and Newcastle in the Midlands, while Van Reenen's Pass was snowed in.The Ridge Online: Cold front hits Durban, retrieved 23 August 2011. The cold front caused swells of up to 4 meters on the KwaZulu-Natal coast and a 25 to 30 knot wind with rough sea conditions. A ship called the Phoenix ran aground at Salt Rock, Ballito on 26 July 2011 because of the rough conditions. This cold front may have put an end to the 2011 Sardine Run.
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