THE SARDINE RUN
The seaside village of Umtentweni,
where the flat that you can win
is situated, is a perfect spot for experiencing the annual South
African Sardine Run.
The Sardine Run - a unique and
unexplained phenomenon of millions of
sardines traveling up the east coast of South Africa occurring from May
to July, causing a frenzy of excitement amongst everyone and everything
that comes into contact with them.
These small fish migrate from the colder waters of the Cape into the
warm sub-tropical waters of the former Transkei (northern Eastern Cape)
and KwaZulu-Natal in a northwards direction, coming close to shore in
the South Coast area during autumn and winter, moving further offshore
in the Durban area and finally, disappearing into the vast blue yonder.
Because of the cold currents along this stretch of coastline and their
appetite for plankton, these fish converge close to the shoreline and
to the surface, making ideal targets for hungry predators and perfect
viewing for snorkellers and scuba divers.
A FEEDING FRENZY
The sardines shoal closely together
minimising their chances of being taken by predators. Picture tens of
thousands of birds plunging from the sky, feeding on the fish, with
larger game fish and numerous species of sharks all feasting on the
wealth of food that is available. The numbers and variety of sharks is
astounding: Bronze Whalers, Zambezies, Hammerheads, Coppers and Great
Whites can be seen by the hundreds. Bottlenose and Common dolphins join
in the excitement and employ a hunting strategy that works the shoals
into what is referred to as a "baitball". By working together, like
sheepdogs in a field of sheep, the dolphins herd the sardines into a
tight ball and push them towards the surface. The dolphins then pounce
on them, gorging themselves on the tiny fish.
AN UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENON
In South Africa, the main spawning
grounds for these fish are off the Southern Cape coast, where the
adults gather for a prolonged breeding season through the spring and
early summer. Their eggs are simply released into the water, fertilized
and left to drift off in the open ocean. The ocean currents carry most
of the developing larvae westwards and northwards into the waters of
the Atlantic Ocean along the West Coast. Therefore, the migration of
large shoals of sardines into the waters of southern KwaZulu-Natal
during the winter months, remains an unexplained phenomenon!
This is an event for everyone to enjoy - be it bird watchers,
marine-life enthusiasts, amateur or highly experienced divers or
snorkellers. Experience the Sardine Run beneath the waves or above.
Either way it has been described as one of the greatest marine
spectacles on earth.
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