Categories: Report

Sardine Roundup 27 May 2023

Sardine Roundup 27 May 2023: there are sardines all over the place right now. But not in KZN just yet.

Sardine Roundup

You will see sardines anywhere south of Port St Johns, with a good view over the ocean. Some are close, some are far. And constantly being pestered by birds and marine predators wherever they go. These signs are tough to miss.

And this is the typical pattern that each season follows. The sardines hit the coast at a right angle from the deep southern ocean, and then just turn right. Where they hit each year is as random as can be. This year it seems that East London is the focal point for the onboarding.

Some fantastic sightings have been made down thataway, you might want to check out the last video report – featuring the sardines from underwater! With unbelievably cool footage shot by the pro dive outfit GoDive (Mossel Bay).

You can see that report and more of that unbelievably cool video right HERE.

As for the next few weeks, well one or two small shoals might make it through the roadblocks down in the Transkei waters. But for the most, those predators down there are going to wreak havoc with this early showing. Very few sardines will escape being eaten.

It is the next big shoals that come through however, that will start pushing up towards KZN. The sharks and cetaceans will all be filling up big time and slowly they get lazy as the sardines start filtering past.

Umzimkulu Adrenalin can get you right out there and into the mix. You can stay with us at the Umzimkulu Marina, here in Port Shepstone. The epi-centre of the KZN leg of the annual sardine run!