Aloes give the green light
It was said in the earlier days that when the aloes are in bloom the sardines will start running.
However, it is not necessarily just the sardines that are "running", seine netters are preparing boats, vehicles, permits and nets. Dive operators are plotting and planning to give their customers the best diving experience. KZN have their spotter plane and sardine hotlines ready and individuals are slowly making place in the deep freeze for the odd sardine or twelve.
The little silver fish that migrate from the colder waters around the Cape, to the warmer waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal to give birth to their off-spring, has been equated to the great migration of the Wildebeest in the Masai Mara.
The annual phenomenon normally takes place between June and July, although previous years have had sardine action much later, nevertheless many local and overseas visitors flock to our shores in the hope of winessing the extraordinary ocen, fish, bird, shark and dolphin activity.
Waterfall Bluff on the northern Wild Coast seems to be a holding point where sardines may stay for weeks as a time, apparently waiting for the right environmental conditions before they push their way pas Port Edward. When this happens, the Run has begun on the KZN coast.
As the shoals approach popular bathing beaches the Sharks Board Operations Staff remove shark safety gear and local Lifeguards keep beach goers informed about bathing status.
Although still early and due to the unpredictability of the Sardine Run; seine netters, dive operators, fishermen, sardine chefs and visitors can only hop for a brilliant Sardine Run, close to our shores.
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