One of the greatest marine spectacles on the planet, the annual sardine migration takes place off the east coast of South Africa in the months of May through July. This phenomenon takes on many phases and is ever-changing as it travels over more than one thousand kilometres of ocean. The only constant is the inexorable path that the sardines follow to the north at this time of year.
The sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline in what is one of the largest marine events in the world. This has been dubbed "the greatest shoal on earth" by the Kwazulu-Natal tourist board. In terms of biomass, researchers estimate the sardine run could rival East Africa's great wildebeest migration, however, little is known of the phenomenon. It is believed that the water temperature has to drop below 21°C in order for the migration to take place. The shoals are often more than 7 km long, 1.5 km wide and 30 meters deep and are clearly visible from spotter planes or from the surface.
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. It is thought that dolphins (eastimated as being up to 18,000 in number, mostly the common dolphin but also the bottlenose dolphin) are largely responsible for rounding up the sardines into bait balls.
Once the sardines are rounded up, sharks (primarily the bronze whaler, but also dusky shark, blacktip shark, spinner shark and zambezi shark), game fish (like shad or elf, king mackerel, various kingfish species, garrick, geelbek and eastern little tuna) and birds (like the Cape gannet, cormorants, terns and gulls) take advantage of the opportunity.
The Cape Fur Seal follows the shoals up the Eastern Cape coastline as far as Port St Johns. This is an event for everyone to enjoy - be it bird watchers, marine-life enthusiasts, amateur or experienced divers and snorkellers. Experience the Sardine Run beneath the waves or above. Either way enjoy one of the greatest faunal events on earth.
