Cape Gannet on the Sardine Run The Cape gannet (Morus capensis) is listed as vulnerable since it has a very small breeding range on just six islands, and over-exploitation of its prey by human fisheries – compounded by pollution – is causing a continuous decline in the quality of surrounding waters for foraging. It’s a 84-94 cm, […]
Humpback whales and the sardine run The Humpback whales is a common sighting for adventurers experiencing the sardine run. These frequent sightings lead many visitors to incorrectly believe that these giant leviathans presence is related to the feasting opportunity on the sardine shoals. However, the presence of the Humpback whale is driven by the fact […]
Sardines (Sardinops sagax) Sardines are small epipelagic fish that sometimes migrate along the coast in large schools. They are an important forage fish for larger forms of marine life. “Sardine” and “pilchard” are common names used to refer to various small, oily fish within the herring family of Clupeidae. The term sardine was first used in English during […]
Dusky Sharks The Dusky shark swims in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, cruising from depths of 1,300 feet (400 meters) near the continental shelf all the way in to the surf zone and other shallow inshore waters. Dusky sharks are long-distance swimmers known for seasonal, temperature-driven migrations that males and females undertake in separate groups. […]
Brydes Whale in the Sardine Run The Bryde’s whale (pronounced “broo-dess”), is named after Johan Bryde who helped build the first whaling factory in Durban, South Africa in 1909. The Bryde’s whale is the only baleen whale species that lives all year-round in warmer waters near the equator. In addition to the “ordinary” Bryde’s whale, with […]
Anchovy in the Sardine Run The anchovy is a small, common salt-water forage fish of the family Engraulidae. Anchovies are found in scattered areas throughout the world’s oceans, but are concentrated in temperate waters, and are rare or absent in very cold or very warm seas. They are generally very accepting of a wide range […]
Blacktip Shark The blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. It is common to coastal tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including brackish habitats. Genetic analyses have revealed substantial variation within this species, with populations from the western Atlantic Ocean isolated and distinct from those […]
Cape fur seal in the Sardine Run Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) belong to the eared seal family (Otariidae) and are a sub species of the Afro-Australian Fur seal. Sub species are genetically similar species that are separated geographically (living in different parts of the world) or ecologically (same area, different prey or habitat preferences). […]
Common dolphin in the Sardine Run As their name implies, the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is one of the most abundant of all dolphin species, found world-wide in tropical and warm temperate waters. They often occur in very large schools and are sometimes associated with diving gannets and feeding whales and penguins. Generally, schools move at […]