Pictures from the netting this week in the Umzumbe Local Municipality by Tony Moon from Moonlite and Demetri Stamatis from Adcan Marine.
Image: Supplied
Seine netters are hoping for more sardine action this coming weekend as the annual Sardine Run is gaining momentum on KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast.
Commercial seine netter Tony Moon from Moonlite and Demetri Stamatis from Adcan Marine netted together on Wednesday and Thursday this week in the Umzumbe Local Municipality at Umzumbe Bay and Turton respectively.
The seine netters said while there was no sightings along the coast on Friday, sardine activity is expected around Port Edward at the weekend depending on the weather.
Dr Ryan Daly, senior scientist at the Oceanographic Research Institute, which is a division of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), said in an article on SAAMBR's Facebook page that the sardine run officially kicked off on June 13 with sardines netted at Port Edward.
Daly explained that sea temperature plays a critical role in determining the movement and distribution of sardines along the coast.
“Sardines generally favour cooler water temperatures, and the intrusion of warmer water onto the KZN coast can slow or temporarily halt their northward progression. Since 18 June, sardine activity has become noticeably quieter, most likely as a result of these warmer conditions. While this may appear concerning, it is not unusual and does not necessarily indicate the end of the run.
Sardines generally favour cooler water temperatures.
Image: Supplied
“In fact, there are several encouraging signs that suggest the season may still have plenty to offer. Large concentrations of baitfish remain present along the South Coast, including substantial mixed shoals of red-eyes, mackerel and sardines. Perhaps most promising are recent reports of large shoals of sardines along the Wild Coast. These observations suggest that significant numbers of fish remain to the south of KwaZulu-Natal and could still move north if environmental conditions become favourable.”
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