Sardine Run Kicks off in Algoa Bay
By Lloyd Edwards

Friday, 11th April 2025

Our sardine run group arrived on the 3rd April, expecting some good action. Unfortunately, the beastly easterly wind kept us off the sea! We made the most of the mountains, going to Klein River Getaway and some of the game parks. We had to wait for 7 days for the short period easterly chop to flatten out.

We set off on our catamaran “My Bru” to Bird Island. Half way there we were told of a Baitball 11nm south of Cape Recife . . . too far to turn back. We proceeded to the Cape Fur Seals at Black Rocks where we do the White Shark Cage Diving. There were plenty of pups learning to swim, which is what brings in the sharks.

While we were looking at the largest Gannet Colony on the planet, the radio crackled to life on channel 73. Franco from Pro Dive had found another Baitball 11nm away. We left the island and sped off to the coordinates he had given us.

When we reached the spot, over 1000 Common Dolphins were on the charge, with around 10 Bryde’s Whales and thousands of Cape Gannets in their wake. Jake maneuvered “My Bru” next to the perpetual motion of the dolphins and increased the speed to 22 knots. These guys love speed and started breaching in their droves right next to us. The images captured the scene beautifully.

We knew we were going to have a great sardine run season, as the easterlies have been relentless this year. As explained in my post on the Addo Canyon, it is exactly this process (amongst others) which brings the nutrients and plankton spores into Algoa Bay. This is what feeds the zooplankton and thus the baitfish, especially sardines and anchovies.

All the action was taking place in the area that has recently been put aside for the penguin foraging area by the Minister. What a pleasure not having the purse seiners taking out the bottom of the food chain!

Due to the easterly “hangover”, the sea was still a bit choppy, and bruising was the order of the day, as we got thrown around on the catamaran. Most of the images were taken looking over the top of the camera or just pointing it in the general direction of the action. Trying to look through the viewfinder proved impossible.

Commons on the charge. Taken with a Z9 mirrorless, ISO 800, 70mm, f/10 and 1/2000th second. I used f/10 to keep the whole school in focus and 1/2000 to freeze the action in a extremely bumpy sea.

This new-born swims between its mother and probably an aunt. The sardine run is used to wean the calves.

These dolphins were moving at 22 knots! They can change the shape of their skin the make themselves more streamlined.

This teenager was still keeping close to mum.

It doesn't matter how many animals you get in a frame, you never get to see the true size of the pod. Sean will post some drone footage soon which gives you a better idea.

Cape Gannets join in the fray, hitting the water at speeds of up to 100km/h, depending on how deep the fish are located.

The faster they swim, the longer they stay out of the water, making capturing the scene a little easier . . . if you can hold onto the boat and the camera!