Latest news with #SharksBoard
The South African
01-07-2025
- The South African
Some South Coast beaches reopen as sardines move offshore
Thirteen beaches along KwaZulu-Natal's (KZN) South Coast have now reopened to the public. As reported by Travel News Africa , the KZN Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence gave the green light after tracking the annual sardine run and confirming that the bulk of the sardine activity has shifted offshore. This change has lowered the risk of marine predators near the coast, making the waters safer for swimmers once more. According to the Sharks Board, current ocean conditions pose minimal risk to beachgoers, allowing these popular coastal spots to reopen just in time for the busy tourist season and school holidays. The beaches now open for swimming are: Hibberdene Umzumbe Banana Beach Sunwich Port South Port Umtentweni St Michaels on Sea Uvongo Margate Ramsgate Southbroom San Lameer Trafalgar These spots are known for their clean beaches, lively promenades, great surf conditions, and family-friendly activities, making them key destinations for holidaymakers along the South Coast. Although the majority of these South Coast beaches have reopened, five beaches remain temporarily closed as a precaution. These include: Umkobi (SYSU) Glenmore Leisure Bay T.O. Strand Port Edward The Sharks Board will continue to monitor the sardine run and predator activity in these areas. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
06-06-2025
- General
- The South African
Sardine run: 25 KZN beaches currently closed for swimming
With the 2025 sardine run already underway, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) revealed that they have removed shark safety nets from the waters at 25 beaches along the south coast. The Sharks Board said that that melee of predators accompanying the sardine shoals was problematic, not just to the sardines but also to the Board itself. 'The shark nets that provide bather protection along the beaches take a heavy toll of sharks and dolphins if they are not lifted before the arrival of the Sardine Run,' it said, as per Business Tech. The eThekwini Municipality also announced on Monday, 2 June, that the public was now prohibited from swimming on KwaZulu-Natal's south coast beaches, due to the shark nets being removed. These beaches include: Isipingo Beach Amanzimtoti Beach Warners Beach Winkelspruit Karridene Umgababa Scottburgh Hibberdene Umzumbe Banana Beach Sunwich Port South Port Umtetweni St Micheals On Sea Uvongo Margate Ramsgate Southbroom Kent Bay Umkobi San Lameer Trafalgar Glenmore Leisure Bay To Strand Port Edward Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
03-06-2025
- 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
