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KwaZulu-Natal Sardine Migration

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The annual migration of millions of sardines which move up the coast in a northerly direction is the most important biological occurrence that takes place in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. Every year around June/July the sardine shoals leave their home on the Aghulas Banks and move up the coast towards Mozambique. This phenomenon is thought to be generated when the 'colder water' from the Aghulas Banks 'creeps' up the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Approximately 23 000 dolphins, 100 000 Cape Gannets, and thousands of sharks and game fish follow the shoals northwards, providing anglers with a bountiful harvest.

Occasionally shoals come close inshore and can be netted from the beach. During the migration the shark nets are removed from beaches along the coast so as not to interfere with this unique natural phenomenon.

To learn more about this phenomenon phone the Hibiscus Coast Margate Tourism Office (039)3174630 or visit their website www://hibiscuscoast.kzn.org.za. Alternatively complete a query form. You can also contact the following operators:
Dive Nautique

Some Sardine Facts:

• Sardines also known in South Africa as pilchards, occur in many cold water areas of the world.
• Most of South Africa's sardines occur off the Western and Southern Cape, where 100 000 tons are caught annually by purse seine vessals operating from harbours.
• Only a small portion of the sardine stocks enter KwaZulu-Natal waters, where about 700 tons are caught annually, while 4 000 tons are caught in the Eastern Cape.
• All the cans of Pilchards in tomatoe sauce originate from the Cape. Some sardines are processed into fish meal.
• Sardines are short lived, fast growing fish that reach a length of about 23cm in two years.
• Sardines mature at about 19cm and spawn during a prolonged breeding season from September to February.
• Some sardines breed in KwaZulu-Natal but most breeding takes place on the Aghuslus Bank in the Southern Cape.
• Sardines are filter feeders, straining plankton from the water as it flows between their gills.
• KwaZulu-Natal waters are not particularly rich in plankton to provide an attractive food source for sardines.
• Sardines are food for a wide variety of gamefish such as geelbeck, garrick and shad.
• An adult dusky shark was found with 621 sardines in its stomach.
• About 20 000 common dolphins follow the sardine run up the coast from the Eastern Cape.
• Cape fur seals and penguins also feed on sardines but are not often seen in KwaZulu-Natal waters.
• Cape gannets move up from huge colonies in the Cape. Gannets operate in huge flocks, plunging out of the sky into the sardine shoals.

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