North Coast From The Air by Rogan Brent: I was at school with a particularly mischievous chap going by the name of Rogan Brent. And he recently contacted me about contributing some aerial video footage of his beat – the north coast of KZN. We are so stoked that he did!
Enjoy the north coast in all her beauty…and thank you Rogan!
“I can’t believe you pulled a stunt like this I was so shocked and amazed unbelievable yes I never yes very well thank you Rogan wow so so we’re live from the air that’s the first for me we’re live from the air man that’s the first for me heading for Tugela ha ha ha ha as how’s the traffic hey $%(&^ all now it’s quiet OK now we talk to each other we are in controlled airspace here OK great Rogan unbelievable unbelievable lekka thank you lekka to be in touch with you buddy you too Rogan and thank you very much for making the effort this morning I’m using that now lekka dude okay take it easy bro Ciao Rogan ha ha ha ha ciao buddy thank you Rogan OK here we got Adam in the morning with a radical time lapse very cool stuff then we going down to Roosta on the south coast couple of waves there then we gonna go and check out the Block see what’s going on looks quite lekker and then he has the Umzimkulu in the afternoon looking quite cool we caught a nice perch last night I must get the photo for you still okay the fishing’s not too bad here’s a whole bunch of fish ous been catching the conditions are good especially on the north coast yowzer but it is cleaning up here on the south coast and ous are catching the odd shad the shad have not gone mad there are some kob around as you can see ah we got a stop press situation Rogan has just sent some more footage in for us right from the air he’s flying there right now this is incredible stuff Rogan and Noel thank you guys both for taking us for taking this seriously and sending us this aerial footage thank you Rogan we’re gonna play out with your stuff too thank you and all in all the next few days are gonna be real good so it matters just enjoy if you can if you can get out there you can best get out there but it even looks good through to the weekend and beyond there’s no more there’s the next cold front miles away okay don’t forget to like and subscribe join the channel if you want to catch those sardines out this year you might see there’s no sardine news here I’m just waiting for the GoDive Okes to report in Kevin in Qora I got his eyes peeled on the horizon too okay check back soon Ciao Ciao”
Sardines and Sightings
Join the Sardine News HOTLINE for 2025 and Neva Miss a Single Sardine! We first upload to YouTube, and then progressively up to the rest of the social platforms (Facey, X, etc) as the bandwidth allows.
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You can also get around the season in a real fun way by checking out our annual Sardine Run Maps. This is a real groovy way to follow the progress of the sardines each year.
You can even download our app to your phone or device, accept notifications, and you will never miss a single sardine.
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps…
Weather forecasting has become a sophisticated science, thanks to advanced weather models. However, the accuracy of these models can vary, leading to different forecasts from services like Windguru, Windy, the South African Weather Service (SAWS), and Tides 4 Fishing.
Choose your Weather Forecasting Model Carefully
Windguru: Windguru is popular among wind sports enthusiasts for its detailed wind forecasts. It uses models like the Global Forecast System (GFS), Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), and the High-Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM). While these models provide valuable data, their predictions can sometimes differ, causing confusion for users.
Windy: Windy offers a visually appealing platform with multiple weather models, including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), GFS, ICON, and NAM. The ability to switch between models is useful, but it also highlights the discrepancies between them. Users often find themselves comparing forecasts to get a more accurate picture.
South African Weather Service (SAWS): SAWS relies on the Unified Model, developed with the UK Met Office. This model provides high-resolution forecasts for Southern Africa. Despite its sophistication, the Unified Model’s predictions can still vary from other models, leading to different weather outlooks.
But like ANY ANC-led government service, this is today’s screen…
Not a very good weather forecasting model at all
And so I got the synoptic chart image from Kobus Botha’s Weather Photos page. An absolutely brilliant piece of portal work gathering all kinds of weather imagery and chart data,
Tides 4 Fishinhttps://tides4fishing.comg: Tides 4 Fishing combines tidal data with weather forecasts from models like GFS and ECMWF. While this blend is useful for anglers, the varying predictions from different models can make it challenging to plan fishing trips accurately.
The Synoptic Chart Advantage: Given the inconsistencies between weather models, a good old synoptic chart can often be more reliable, especially when combined with local knowledge and experience. Synoptic charts provide a broad overview of weather systems, helping to identify patterns and trends that models might miss. Local knowledge adds another layer of accuracy, as residents understand the nuances of their region’s weather.
This is NOT from SAWS. This is from Kobus Botha Weather – a fantastic site to gain your own perspectives and insights.
In conclusion, while advanced weather models offer valuable insights, they can produce different forecasts, leading to uncertainty. A synoptic chart, mixed with local expertise, remains a powerful tool for accurate weather prediction.
Weather Forecasting Models
Global Forecast System (GFS): Developed by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in the United States, GFS is a widely used global weather model that provides forecasts up to two weeks in advance.
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF): Known for its high accuracy, ECMWF provides detailed medium-range forecasts up to two weeks ahead and is renowned for its ensemble prediction system.
ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic): Developed by the German Weather Service (DWD), ICON is a global model that offers high-resolution forecasts and is used for both weather and climate predictions.
UK Met Office Unified Model (UKMO): This model provides high-resolution forecasts for the UK and surrounding regions and is known for its accuracy in predicting severe weather events.
High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR): A short-term, high-resolution model used primarily in the United States for predicting severe weather events.
North American Mesoscale (NAM): A regional model that provides short-range forecasts for North America, focusing on severe weather and mesoscale phenomena.
Global Environmental Multiscale Model (GEM): Developed by Environment Canada, GEM provides high-resolution forecasts for Canada and the surrounding regions.
ARPEGE: A global model developed by Météo-France, ARPEGE provides medium-range forecasts and is known for its high-resolution output.
Ocean Forecasting Models
HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model): Used by the U.S. Navy, HYCOM provides global ocean forecasts and is known for its high-resolution and accurate predictions.
NEMO (Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean): A widely used ocean model that provides forecasts for various regions, including the Arctic and North Atlantic.
OceanMAPS: Developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, this model provides high-resolution ocean forecasts for the Australian region.
ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean): A global ocean data assimilation system that provides high-resolution ocean forecasts and reanalyses.
BRAN (Bluelink Reanalysis): An ocean model developed by the Australian Government, providing high-resolution forecasts for the Australian region.
FOAM (Forecasting Ocean Assimilation Model): Developed by the UK Met Office, FOAM provides high-resolution ocean forecasts for the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean.
These models are crucial for accurate weather and ocean forecasting, helping us plan our activities, prepare for severe weather events, and understand the dynamics of our planet. While each model has its strengths, combining their outputs with local knowledge and experience can provide the most reliable forecasts.
: Meteosource : Meteologix : National Weather Service : Ocean Predict : Ocean Predict
What you really have to watch out for, however, is that people are 10 to 100 times more inclined to click on a weather warning than a normal post. So as an advertising medium that earns money from clicks, it would be tempting to say the least, not to post any good news. To choose the model that suits your sinister cash driven motivations. Keep them coming back by posting bad weather news.
This has been happening and has been wreaking havoc with travel bookings worldwide.
Everybody out to make a buck!
Sardines and Sighting Maps
It has been a fantastic sardine run this memorable 2024. And all the action has been logged right here on The Sardine News. This year’s map has been viewed 195,000 times and just keeps growing.
Which led us to decide to keep the map live. And keep adding unique marine animal sightings and events. That occurs non-stop all year round. This year we started to log more whale and dolphin sightings. And we even had a shipwreck! And a freaking tornado! And recently a capsized KZNSB boat! We have been updating the map with recent catches too…
These events will from now on be included in the Sardine News Sightings Map for 2024. And on the 1 January 2025, we shall start all over again.
Here are the links to existing and past Sardine Sighting Maps. Great for a windy day like today to research. With instructions to install The Sardine News right on your phone or desktop.
Water Temp Drop 7am on this chilly 8 July 2024: big thanks to Adam for being up and at it for the arrival of this impressive cold front coming in strong from the south.
A radical water temperature is the big news today. Right down to 16 degrees Celsius. But this is right out at the buoy. The inshore water is still quite manageable at around 21.
There have been sightings of sardines in Port Edward this morning already. And netting boats are trying at Scottburgh. We will keep you updated right here all day today.
Berg Winds
Air temperatures are right up at this early KZN morning. As the first gusts of offshore winds prepare us for the big cold blow that is just around the corner. When the upper air here starts to move in the direction of the rotation of the impending front, it drops in altitude fast and it warms up. This is a Berg Wind. Not always toasty as today’s. And generally the warmer they are, the bigger the blow that is coming!
But tomorrow says east winds and conditions?!
So unless a big cold front does come through, we are in for these howling offshore winds all day long today!
Surfing Today
Obviously, the surf is cooking because it’s Monday. The Berg Winds predicted by the available weather models were put at up to 30 knots or so. I thought it was a typo or some other error. But these strong Berg Winds will paint an incredibly inviting ocean in the morning.
These are ultimate surfing conditions. And they normally don’t last long. But today the weather models say all day West winds!
Fishing
Well just about anybody could cast a spoon over the backline with this wind behind them. And with so many snoek and garrick around, this would be time well spent.
And once again, please shad fishermen, you guys need to be cleaning up after yourselves, right?
Tides
Tides are huge again today so be careful wherever and whenever you go near the ocean.
Gallery
These photographs were taken yesterday the 7 July 2024. Sardines were netted at Saints and at Shelley Base.
Shad off Durban nice and early
Sightings Map
Updated daily/hourly with every bona fide and useful sardine sighting each year. Beware of false sardine news.
11 June 2024 Sardine News Report HUGE Sharks: Kevin gonna do today’s report…
Morning, chaps. This is Kevin from Qora Mouth, just north of Mazepa Bay in the southern Transkei. Well, that huge shoal of sards that passed us two and a half weeks ago is the same shoal that’s now on the KZN South Coast. Another wonderful day of netting went on today. We’ve heard reports of a, big net came out and Sezela saw a video of that.
Lots of sardines right in the shorebreak, guys throwing throw nets, cast nets, and just pulling out huge nets from the beach. But we’ve seen also on some videos, some extremely large sharks right on the seashore. They’re in the shore break in water that that actually is way too shallow for them.
And this is where the, the public are going in to, to scoop up sardines. So guys, just keep in mind that there are lots of predators in the water. And they’re not necessarily gonna be attacking you, but they could bite by, by accident and because they’re in a feeding frenzy. So just remember safety, safety first, stay out of the water at all costs.
It’s not worth it to go and run in and try and scoop up sards with your shirt or with a little net. And, um, anything more than ankle deep or knee deep, you’re looking for trouble. So safety first.
I’m giving these sards about two to three days and then they should be coming around the bluff onto the Durban beachfront and the shoals big enough to definitely make that passage possible.
They do start moving a lot slower once they hit the KZN waters and mainly due to predator activity. So yeah, they don’t have far to go, probably 40 to 50 kilometers and, and there’ll be on the Durban beach front. Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for now. Except us here at Sardine News Would like to offer our sincere condolences to Goolam’s family one of the netters who unfortunately had a tragic accident today in their rubber duck and so far probably two casualties So, yes we’re very sorry for that Anyway chaps, keep it real conserve and protect and Let’s look after the marine environment Have a good time with these sards, but be careful.
And as I said, safety first, stay out of the water, lots of toothy critters out there. That’s all I got for now. I’ll keep you updated as things happen. Cheers.
10 June 2024 Where do Sardines even Come From?: Sometimes in life, you got to make important decisions. And it ain’t no different for sardines!
In this 10 June 2024 Sardine News update, we have an overload of entertaining and informative video. To everyone who sent clips in, especially the dude in the flying machine, a huge THANK you from all of us who follow things here at The Sardine News. Your contributions are giving the public a 3D look at what goes on at the beach during these fun times.
Enjoy the video…
Monday 10 June 2024
Will go down as one of the most beautiful and memorable days in sardine run history. It all just unfolded so fast. The ocean here in KZN recovers quick, but tghis was lightning speed. Clean water hugging the coastline making for the most picturesque sardine scenes ever.
A handful of nets went in. And some were huge! 400 Crates type thing!
Where do sardines come from?
But the main story in this report is Kevin brushing on where these sardines and actually live. And what choices they faced, in order to get all this way from home.
It is fascinating stuff. And is complemented by animations and video as Kevin explains the life cycle of Sardinops Sagax, our beloved sardines.
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