The eagerly awaited 2025 sardine run has made a spectacular entrance in KwaZulu-Natal, with the “Greatest Shoal on Earth” making its formidable presence known south of Durban, particularly around Isipingo, and extending from Port Edward to Amanzimtoti. This incredible natural event has unleashed an electrifying feeding frenzy involving dolphins, sharks, seabirds, and seals, mesmerising onlookers and thrilling anglers.
The sheer scale of the sardine migration northward along the east coast has compelled the eThekwini Municipality and coastal authorities to enforce swimming bans across numerous southern beaches. These closures, which came into effect around 2 June 2025, impact areas from Port Edward up to Isipingo, encompassing popular spots such as Amanzimtoti.
This vital safety measure follows the removal of shark safety nets by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board. The nets are lifted annually to prevent the entanglement of marine life drawn in by the dense sardine shoals – which can stretch for over seven kilometres – and to protect bathers from the significantly increased presence of predators hunting near the shore. This annual sardine spectacle delivers unmatched excitement but also demands increased vigilance.
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Angling Thrills and Predator Warnings
Fishermen, both professional and recreational, have been enthusiastically netting the silver bounty since the initial shoals were sighted off Port Edward around 31 May, despite contending with rough sea conditions. Intensive netting operations have been observed at Isipingo Beach and other key locations like Sandspit on the Umzimkhulu River. However, these efforts have faced considerable challenges.
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence reported that “large seas, strong currents, and abundance of sharks” complicated netting attempts. For instance, on Saturday, 31 May, approximately 80 crates of sardines were successfully netted at Port Edward, although one net also temporarily caught 17 sharks, all of which were carefully released alive. Similar challenging conditions and shark encounters, with all sharks again safely released, were noted as shoals progressed to the Banana Beach/Pumula area, where sharks were seen actively breaching and feeding.
While the sardine spectacle provides a unique and exhilarating experience for observers and a significant opportunity for anglers targeting the game fish that keenly follow the sardine shoals, authorities are strongly advising the public to strictly observe the swimming prohibitions. Wayne Harrison of the KZN Sharks Board has reiterated these warnings, explaining that shark safety gear has been removed from beaches between Isipingo and Port Edward, making swimming in these areas unsafe.
Image: Netters haul in masses of sardines during the annual Sardine Run, which can be experienced on the KZN South Coast this winter! Credit: IOL
