ABOUT THE SARDINE RUN
What Is the Sardine Run?
The oldest known record of the run is a mention in the Natal Mercury newspaper of 4 August 1853. More recently, the run has been the subject of natural history documentaries (e.g., the BBC’s Nature’s Great Events) and printed popular media (e.g., National Geographic)…
The sardine run of southern Africa occurs from May through July when billions of sardines – or more specifically the Southern African pilchard Sardinops sagax – spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the east coast of South Africa. Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline. The run, containing millions of individual sardines, occurs when a current of cold water heads north from the Agulhas Bank up to Mozambique where it then leaves the coastline and goes further east into the Indian Ocean.
The Biggest Marine Event On The Planet
The natural phenomenon that has been termed the ‘Sardine Run’ is absolutely unrivalled in its sheer biomass, and has been proven to be the biggest marine activity on the planet!!
In the winter months of the Southern Hemisphere billions of various species ‘baitfish’, which the majority is made up of various species of Sardines, begin an annual migration swimming northwards within a band of cooler water trapped between the warm Agulhas current of the Indian Ocean and the coastline of South Africa. Moving in from the Deep South-Eastern Indian Ocean they push closer to the African continent where they eventually pass along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape north bound to their spawning grounds. These include various species of Sardines, Shad, Mackerels and Anchovy.
Rich in Biodiversity
These huge shoals of migrating fish, which can range up to a few kilometres in length, create an ample and extensive feeding ground attracting the full scope of all the Oceans’ predators, congregating to take full advantage of this annual seafood buffet.
Led by an unimagined amount of Long-Beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus Capensis), who track the shoals and the ones primarily herding them into ‘bait-ball’ formations for all to prey on. Other species of Dolphins joining them are the Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Delphinus Tursiops Truncatus) and the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Delphinus Tursiops Aduncus), as well as the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Delphinus Stenella Attenuata) and the Spinner Dolphin (Delphinus Stenella Longirostris).
Predators, And Friendly Fins To Be Seen
One of the highlights without a doubt is when the magnificent Sailfish (Istiophoridae Istiophorus) joins the action. With their bright neon blue hunting-stripes lighting up the ocean waters as they dart through the bailballs like missiles.
Of course numerous species of Apex Sharks also join in the frenzy, which includes huge numbers of Copper/Bronze Whaler Shark (Carcharhinus Brachyurus), Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus Obscurus), Oceanic Black-Tip Shark (Carcharhinus Limbatus), Sand Tiger /Ragged Tooth Shark (Carcharhinus Taurus). Less common Sharks like the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas), Thresher Shark (Alopiidae Alopias), Great White Shark (Carcharhinus Carcharias), and even the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) has been seen on occasion attracted by the bigger Game-Fish like the Tuna species who also take advantage of this free-for-all.
Majestic Whales and More!
To top is the 15m submarine-like Bryde’s Whales (Balaenoptera Brydei) moving in to claim their share of the spoils, taking huge gulps at a time. Other whales that is a very common sighting during this time is the majestic migrating Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae). Known for their spectacular aerobatic breaching, and the extensively long songs sung by the males during this period turn the underwater world into an absolute orchestra of sounds that can be heard for kilometres.
Not uncommon in a massive ocean event like this is to also even have an encounter with the magnificent Orca (Killer Whale (Orcinus Orca) that comes in to pry on the masses of Dolphin superpods.
An Experience of a Lifetime
The skies above almost rivals that of the oceans’ frenetic underwater action where clouds of Cape Gannets (Morus Capensis) gather in the sky and dive-bombing into the mêlée of predators and pray below at speeds exceeding 100km/h! Various species of other birds like Albatrosses, Terns and Skuas also flock to the mass-feast, gorging themselves sometimes to the point that flight is nearly impossible.
In short, the result is a mind-blowing experience bound to leave any scuba diver, free diver, photographer or even a non-diving nature lover absolutely speechless!!
Don’t Miss an Experience of a Lifetime!
Species To Be Seen At The Sardine Run
Dolphins
Long-Beaked Common Dolphins
- Delphinus Capensis
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
- Delphinus Tursiops Truncatus
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
- Delphinus Tursiops Aduncus
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
- Delphinus Stenella Attenuata
Spinner Dolphin
- Delphinus Stenella Longirostris
Orca/Killer Whale
- Orcinus Orca
Sharks
Copper/Bronze Whaler Shark
- Carcharhinus Brachyurus
Dusky Shark
- Carcharhinus Obscurus
Oceanic Black-Tip Shark
- Carcharhinus Limbatus
Sand Tiger /Ragged Tooth Shark
- Carcharhinus Taurus
Bull Shark
- Carcharhinus Leucas
Thresher Shark
- Alopiidae Alopias
Great White Shark
- Carcharhinus Carcharias
Tiger Shark
- Galeocerdo Cuvier
Whales
Bryde’s Whales
- Balaenoptera Brydei
Humpback Whale
- Megaptera Novaeangliae