It’s not quite certain why, every year around June/July, there is a mass migration of Sardines up the east coast of South Africa. Described by some as “The greatest shoal on earth”, witnessing this wildlife spectacle is a remarkable experience. Shoals of sardines often many 100’s of meters wide, move northwards towards and sometimes even past Durban. It’s a feeding frenzy as Sharks, Dolphins and other game fish that repeatedly torpedo into the blur of movement.  To top it all, quite literally, the aerial assault is what gives away the position of the vulnerable shoals.  Gannets, Gulls and other sea birds don’t have to be particularly accurate as they dive bomb into the silvery mass. Soon they are so stuffed, that taking off is not an option anymore, at least not until their digestive juices have taken affect.

 

No one knows exactly why the Sardine run occurs. Some reason that it is part of the necessary breeding cycle, as the sardines are spawning the whole way. Their young are sure to have a better chance in the warmer currents further north away from there traditional feeding grounds, in the icy Arctic-influenced ocean, further south. Sometimes the Sardine Run doesn’t take place at all. One can often see a direct correlation between water temperature and the arrival of these vast shoals. Back in 2004 we predicted that maybe other influences were being ignored. The total allowable catch further south, in the path of the spawning northward moving sardines, seemed too high and we questioned it at the time. History has proved us right as the pelagic fishing industry has all but collapsed in 2007, the fishing industry is up in arms, quotas were frozen for ages and jobs are on the line.

 

Aims of media campaign

To Do

Fisheries worldwide are in a dire predicament. We will continue to support and give a platform to all organisations attempting to protect  marine resources.