Durban - The sardine run taking place on the East coast of South Africa provides a major boost to the local economy.
Dumile Cele, CEO of the Durban chamber of commerce and industry says that the positive spin-off for the economy benefits both informal and formal traders.
“The positive economic spin off from the sardine run in KZN is not only for medium and big business who enjoy advanced equipment for a big catch, but it also benefits small fishermen and village folk who use primitive methods to get their share of this catch to sell in local markets and use some for personal consumption,” says Cele.
After an absence of two years, the sardines made an appearance this week with netting taking place along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Cele says that this has provided a timely economic boost to the region.
“The Sardine run has been better than the past 2 years which is pleasing. Volumes are nonetheless not up to old time highs. But the upward trend is encouraging given that our economy needs every bit of positive spin at the moment as it is taking strain all round,” he says.
While most economists were unable to put a value to the economic boom during sardine season, a study conducted by doctoral students at the Durban University of Technology in 2010 put the value to the community at around R18 million.
Sardines are being sold all over Durban for a paltry R30 to R50 per dozen.
Calvin Naidoo, a local fisherman says selling sardines has proven to be extremely lucrative. “It is an excellent way to make money because it costs us nothing and we can eat the sardines and sell some too,” says Naidoo.
But if you are planning on jumping into the sea to get your own slice of the sardine pie then there's a word of warning.
Mike Anderson-Reade, Head of Operations at the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board says that sardines are often accompanied by sea predators.
“The organisation's ability to monitor the movements of the sardine run has improved over the years. Although it has long been our practice to lift the shark nets that protect Durban beaches prior to the arrival of the shoals. So people who intend entering the water should be cautious and do so at their own risk as sardines and the predators that follow sardines are present in the very same waters,” said Anderson-Reade.
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