More sardines netted in KZN
2009-07-30 19:00
Johannesburg - More sardines were netted along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline on Thursday. Local shark authorities say they are confident that the next sightings will be in Durban this weekend.
Natal Sharks Board chief executive Mike Anderson-Read said: "South-westerly winds will blow on Friday night and I'm hoping that this would bring some fish into the Durban beachfront area.
"It's my gut feeling that they will be here."
He said two loads of sardines were netted between the Illovo and Carridene beaches on Thursday morning.
One load contained 20 baskets and the other had 60 baskets and each basket roughly contained between 28 and 30 dozen sardines.
In the past 36 months, no shoal had beached.
Every catch had been netted and this year there was no exception.
But this did not deter anxious traders.
Basket
Anderson-Read said hawkers and traders were taking full advantage of their catch, selling it by the dozen to motorists on various highways.
On Wednesday, traders bought fish for around R250 a basket and by Thursday this had doubled in price.
"The most expensive basket sold today was R500," said Anderson-Read.
"But the people love it and they don't mind paying for it. It's just a very exciting time," he said.
On the highways, prices varied considerably.
Some were seen selling the fish for R10 a dozen while other sold it for a little less.
Ironically, the mood was different in mid-July when there were fears that the "greatest shoal on Earth" would not make it into the Durban coastline.
Annual run
Only small shoals had been netted along the province's south coast.
Since early in June, KwaZulu-Natal residents and international tourists were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sardines.
Scores of documentary makers and tourists had booked into chalets in resort towns along the south coast waiting to get a glimpse of the annual run.
The sardine run is extremely popular in Durban as families gather on the beachfront in June and July waiting for the slippery delicacy to reach the shore.
And when it does, parents and children, armed with baskets and crates, hastily pack their baskets and head home for a fresh and tasty meal.
- SAPA