Where Are the Shad?
The question echoing along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline this season is simple: where are the shad?
Reports from anglers paint a mixed picture. Ski-boaters down south(Eastern Cape) recently spotted a massive shoal moving north — kilometres long — suggesting a late run. Yet on the beaches of Port Shepstone and surrounds, catches have been painfully slow, with anglers scratching out one fish at a time. Port Edward has shown flickers of life, but the overall mood is subdued. Optimists still hope the Vaalies will find action when they arrive, but the reality is that this year’s shad season feels muted compared to the explosive runs of the past.
The Bigger Problem: Overfishing
While late runs and seasonal variability are part of the shad story, the deeper concern is overfishing by recreational anglers themselves.
- Boot-loads of shad are reportedly taken whenever the fish turn on, with little regard for size or bag limits.
- Policing is minimal: the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has struggled to enforce closed seasons and daily limits, even after clarifying regulations in September.
- Anglers themselves admit that stocks are dwindling, urging more responsible practices.
The irony is stark: the same voices lamenting the absence of shad are often the ones filling coolers when the fish do appear. This cycle of feast and famine is unsustainable.
A Free-for-All
The government’s failure to enforce the Marine Living Resources Act has left the fishery vulnerable. Lack of policing regards closed seasons, and inconsistent communication from DFFE has only worsened the situation. Without effective monitoring, the coastline has become a free-for-all, where short-term gains trump long-term sustainability.
Why It Matters
Shad (Pomatomus saltatrix) are more than just a seasonal thrill. They are a keystone species in the surf zone, being fed upon and feeding on baitfish and supporting the balance of coastal ecosystems. Their decline signals broader stress in the marine environment. If recreational pressure continues unchecked, the legendary winter shad runs could fade into memory.
Conclusion
So, where are the shad? The answer may not lie in ocean currents or late runs alone. It may lie in the hands of the very anglers who chase them. Unless recreational fishers embrace restraint — and unless authorities enforce the rules — the dwindling shoals of shad could become another casualty of South Africa’s collapsing fisheries management.
The shad aren’t gone yet, but they’re under threat — and the culprits may be us.
Sardines and Sighting Maps
Check out our annual Sardine Run Map! 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…
2024 Sardine Map
2023 Sardine Map
2021 Sardine Map
Channels
Brucifire Surf Retorts – highly entertaining surf reporting
Master Watermen – news from way down deep
The Sardine News – neva miss a single sardine
FishBazaruto – 1000 pounds plus
MYDO Tackle Talk – highly technical sport fishing
Surf Launching Southern Africa – getting out there safely
Water Woes – complain about your municipality
Websites
umzimkulu.co.za – self-catering right on the Umzimkulu River
umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – will get you right out and onto the edge
thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
masterwatermen.co.za – news from under water
fishbazaruto.com – dreams
brucifire.co.za – surf retorts
