Latest news with #DhayaSewduth
IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Increased shark activity prompts warnings as the Sardine Run returns to KwaZulu-Natal
Fishermen in Warner Beach netted several crates of sardines on Tuesday morning. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers As the famous Sardine Run makes its annual return to the shores of KwaZulu-Natal, so does a significant increase in shark activity, as evidenced by footage from a netting on Saturday. The video shows numerous sharks entangled with the sardines. 'This is a typical illustration of the increased shark activity witnessed during the sardine run. This is a reason why it is essential for us to remove our shark safety gear during this time,' the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) said. 'We remind residents and visitors that our shark safety gear has been removed from the South Coast beaches of KZN, from Isipingo to Port Edward, and warn against swimming in those beaches.' The Sharks Board added a disclaimer that the nets do not belong to them. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Lifesaving South Africa urged beachgoers and ocean users along the KZN coastline to stay updated with local municipal notices regarding beach closures. Lifesaving SA President Dhaya Sewduth explained that in winter, KZN beaches are lifeguarded due to warm and sunny conditions. However, the influx of sardines from the lower South Coast has led to several beaches being closed due to heightened ocean risks. This includes removing shark nets, leaving beachgoers more vulnerable. Due to the removal of shark nets, the eThekwini Municipality has banned swimming at all southern beaches until further notice, effective Monday. The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality also closed its beaches, except Port Edward. 'When beaches are closed, no designated bathing zones will be marked, and it is crucial that beachgoers remain out of the ocean,' Sewduth warned. 'Strong swells are affecting the lower South Coast, and rip currents, which are common in this region, pose a significant danger to swimmers. 'We urge everyone to respect these closures and prioritise safety for themselves and others.' Fishermen in Warner Beach netted several crates of sardines on Tuesday morning. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Over the weekend, KZNSB teams launched and neutralised the gear from Port Edward in the south through to Scottburgh. On Monday, the gear was neutralised through to and including Isipingo. KZNSB's Wayne Harrison said netters were successful at Pennington and Rocky Bay on Monday morning. Harrison said netting took place at Sandspit (Umzimkulu River) on Sunday. Heavy surf and challenging conditions allowed for the recovery of only slightly over 40 sardine crates; the remainder, along with sharks in the net, were released back into the ocean. By mid-morning, the shoals had moved to the Banana Beach/Pumula area, where the sein netters attempted to net. 'The sardines once again were followed by masses of sharks that were regularly seen breaching and feeding on the sardines,' Harrison said. At dawn on Saturday, sardine shoals were reported at Port Edward. Despite rough 2.5m+ seas and a strong swell, two successful seine net catches were made in the morning.
The Herald
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald
Sardine run forces municipalities to ban swimming at beaches
Despite the tough surf conditions, 80 crates were netted at Port Edward. 'One of the nets had 21 sharks caught. All were released alive.' On Sunday 40 crates were hauled at Sandspit, near the Umzimkhulu River. 'Just more than 40 crates of sardines were recovered, and the rest were spilt back into the ocean with several sharks that were in the net. 'By mid-morning, the shoals had moved to the Banana Beach/Pumula area, where the seine netters again braved the high seas and attempted to net. The sardines again were followed by masses of sharks that were regularly seen breaching and feeding on the sardines. 'Though the seine netters tried netting many times at Pumula, the high surf and strong currents prevented the netters from having a successful day. Only one netter managed to get about 30 crates due to the difficult conditions.' Shoals also made their way to Pennington and Rocky Bay. The Sharks Board team started removing shark nets from Sunday. 'The operations department is proud the gear was removed and there were no captures, though there was an abundance of shark activity.' Dhaya Sewduth, Lifesaving SA president, said the eThekwini municipality had closed the southern beaches under its jurisdiction due to the removal of shark nets and other hazardous conditions. Ray Nkonyeni municipality has also closed beaches in Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom, Marina Beach, Trafalgar and Leisure Bay. When beaches are closed, no designated bathing zones will be marked, and it is crucial beachgoers remain out of the ocean. Strong swells are affecting the lower south coast, and rip currents, which are common in this region, pose danger to swimmers. Lifesaving SA urged people to respect the closures and prioritise safety for themselves and others. TimesLIVE
