Sardines make surprise appearance on lower South Coast
Sardine fever has struck on the lower South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Listen to the full update - including prospects for Durban - in this interview between ECR's Di Macpherson and Mike Anderson-Reide below, or read more underneath the podcast:
The KZN Sharks Board says shoals have been netted at Ramsgate, Margate and St Michaels.
Two small nets of bait fish, including sardines, were also taken at Umkomaas.
The board's Mike Anderson-Reade says larger nets on the lower south coast have brought in hauls of around 120 crates of the fish.
Anderson-Reade expects the activity to continue for the next few days.
"Its been a big surprise to us all. We did see some sizable fish towards the end of last week but we were unsure as to whether they were sardines or just a normal bait fish. However they did net at Scottburgh in the early hours of Saturday morning - only 10 crates - and then this morning it went nice and wild at Margate main beach," he said.
ALSO READ: Sardine season: KZN Sharks Board on latest
Shark safety gear has been removed from most beaches on the lower south coast and are closed to bathers.
"We have taken all the shark safety gear out of the water from Hibberdene up to and including Port Edward, so everything at this stage is closed on the lower South Coast," he said.
Shelly Beach resident Burt Kaminer took these pictures of today's haul
Listen to the full interview below: