5 benefits of the sardine run

File photo: In an average year, two hundred crates of the silver fish are caught and sold for about R500 a crate to wholesalers. Picture: Brenton Geach

File photo: In an average year, two hundred crates of the silver fish are caught and sold for about R500 a crate to wholesalers. Picture: Brenton Geach

Published Jun 22, 2015

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Durban - The sardine run in South Africa occurs between May and July when billions of sardines, 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.

Adult sardines are normally found in greatest abundance on the Western Agulhas Bank where the bulk of spawning takes place. This is enhanced by the nutrient-rich upwelling which takes place in this region.

The eastward shift of sardines would likely have resulted in less successful spawning due to the reduced nutrients levels.

Shoals of shad are also sometimes found further out to sea and this is where spawning is believed to take place.

[ View the story "5 benefits of the sardine run" on Storify]

Mojo and Independent on Saturday

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