South Africa's Sardine Run Research Publications

The cause, dynamics and ecology of the sardine run has fascinated South Africa’s scientists for decades. Here, we have compiled a database of the peer reviewed research articles conducted on the sardine run and surrounding ecology. Were possible, we have included full pdf’s of the scientific articles, however in some cases if you want to read more than the abstract, you may need to contact the authors directly or purchase access online. Enjoy, learn and become fascinated by the greatest shoal on earth!

Research Aug 3, 2020 0

Long-term trends in cetacean occurrence during the annual sardine run off the Wild Coast, South Africa

Jennifer M. Fitchett; Stefan W. Grab; Heinrich Portwig School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa ABSTRACT Phenological shifts represent one of the most robust bioindicators of climate change. While considerable multidecadal records of plant and animal phenology exist for the northern hemisphere, few noteworthy records are available for […]

Research Jul 6, 2013 0

Winter diet shift of long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) feeding in the sardine run off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

S. T. Ambrose, P. W. Froneman, M. J. Smale, G. Cliff, S. Plön (2013) Winter diet shift of long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) feeding in the sardine run off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Marine Biology, Volume 160, Issue 7, pp 1543-1561 Abstract Unpredictable inter-annual variations in the timing, spatial extent and intensity of the sardine run (Sardinops sagax) have been documented in recent years along the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, […]

Research Aug 26, 2011 0

Travel motivations of tourists to selected marine destinations

Petrus Van der Merwe, Elmarie Slabbert & Melville Saayman (2011) Travel motivations of tourists to selected marine destinations. Int. J. Tourism Res. 13, 457–467 (2011) Abstract South Africa is well known for its favourable climate, wildlife and golden beaches. Adding to this, its long summers make its coastline (over 3500 km) even more attractive to […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

Socio-economic implications of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run for local indigenous communities

J Myeza, R Mason, V Peddemors (2010). Socio-economic implications of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run for local indigenous communities. Africa Journal of Marine Science, Vol 32, Iss 2. Abstract The economic and social effects of the annual sardine run on the indigenous community on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were assessed using data gathered […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

Ecosystem considerations of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run

L Hutchings, T Morris, C D van der Lingen, S J Lamberth,A D Connell, S Taljaard & L van Niekerk (2010) Ecosystem considerations of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. African Journal of Marine Science, volume 32, Issue 2 Abstract The annual winter sardine run along the South African east coast impacts the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coastal system in a variety of […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

A review and tests of hypotheses about causes of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run

P Fréon, J C Coetzee, C D van der Lingen, A D Connell, S H O’Donoghue, M J Roberts, H Demarcq, C G Attwood, S J Lamberth & L Hutchings (2010) A review and tests of hypotheses about causes of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. African Journal of Marine Science Volume 32, Issue 2, 2010 Abstract The term ‘sardine run’ […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

Abundance and distribution of avian and marine mammal predators of sardine observed during the 2005 KwaZulu-Natal sardine run survey

S H O’Donoghue, P A Whittington, B M Dyer & V M Peddemors (2010) Abundance and distribution of avian and marine mammal predators of sardine observed during the 2005 KwaZulu-Natal sardine run survey. African Journal of Marine Science. Volume 32, Issue 2, 2010 Abstract Opportunistic observations to determine the relative abundance and distribution of marine mammal and seabird predators of […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

Broad-scale distribution patterns of sardine and their predators in relation to remotely sensed environmental conditions during the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run

S H O’Donoghue, L Drapeau & V M Peddemors (2010) Broad-scale distribution patterns of sardine and their predators in relation to remotely sensed environmental conditions during the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. African Journal of Marine Science Volume 32, Issue 2 Abstract The annual movement of South African sardine Sardinops sagax up the east coast of South Africa, known as the […]

Research Jul 6, 2010 0

Overview of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run

C D van der Lingen, J C Coetzee & L Hutchings (2010) Overview of the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. African Journal of Marine Science, Volume 32, Issue 2 Abstract This paper provides an introduction to, and overview of, the natural phenomenon known as the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. Previous literature on this topic and hypotheses about the reasons why, and […]

Research Jul 2, 2010 0

Influence of the annual sardine run on catches of large sharks in the protective gillnets off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the occurrence of sardine in shark diet

SFJ Dudley, G Cliff (2010) Influence of the annual sardine run on catches of large sharks in the protective gillnets off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the occurrence of sardine in shark diet. African Journal of Marine Science, 32(2): 383–397 Abstract. Shark catches in the protective nets set off the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, are […]

Research Jul 6, 2009 0

The condition conundrum: application of multiple condition indices to the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus

Nigel E. Hussey, David T. Cocks, Sheldon F. J. Dudley, Ian D. McCarthy, Sabine P. Wintner (2009) The condition conundrum: application of multiple condition indices to the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus. MEPS 380:199-212 ABSTRACT Measuring fish condition has become a standard practice in the management of fishes, both at the individual and population level. The comparative […]

Research Aug 26, 2003 0

The role of ichthyoplankton surveys in recruitment research and management of South African anchovy and sardine

C.D. van der Lingen and J.A. Huggett (2003) The role of ichthyoplankton surveys in recruitment research and management of South African anchovy and sardine. The Big Fish Bang. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Larval Fish Conference. Abstract Anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardinops sagax are ecologically and economically important components of the southern Benguela upwelling ecosystem […]

Research Jul 6, 1994 0

Distribution and abundance of clupeoid larvae along the east coast of South Africa

L. E. Beckley & J. D. Hewitson (1994) Distribution and abundance of clupeoid larvae along the east coast of South Africa in 90/91. South African Journal of Marine Science, Volume 14, Issue 1, 1994 Abstract The distribution and abundance of larvae of pilchard Sardinops sagax, round herring Etrumeus whiteheadi and anchovy Engraulis capensis along the east coast […]

Research Aug 26, 1991 0

Occurrence and population structure of pilchard Sardinops ocellatus, round herring Etrumeus whiteheadi and anchovy Engraulis capensis off the east coast of southern Africa

M. J. Armstrong , P. Chapman , S. F. J. Dudley , I. Hampton & P. E. Malan (1991) Occurrence and population structure of pilchard Sardinops ocellatus, round herring Etrumeus whiteheadi and anchovy Engraulis capensis off the east coast of southern Africa. South African Journal of Marine Science. Volume 11, 1991 – Issue 1 Abstract The distribution, abundance and […]

Research Sep 6, 1990 0

Seasonal distribution and density of common dolphins Delphinus delphis off the south-east coast of southern Africa

V. G. Cockcroft & V. M. Peddemors (1990) Seasonal distribution and density of common dolphins Delphinus delphis off the south-east coast of southern Africa. South African Journal of Marine Science, Volume 9, Issue 1 Abstract The seasonal abundance and distribution of common dolphins on the south-east coast of southern Africa, between Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay, was […]

Research Jul 6, 1990 0

Organochlorines in common dolphins caught in shark nets during the Natal ‘sardine run’

V.G. Cockcroft*, A.C. De Kock, G.J.B. Ross & D.A. Lord (1990) Organochlorines in common dolphins caught in shark nets during the Natal ‘sardine run’ South African Journal of Zoology Volume 25, Issue 2, Abstract The concentrations of organochlorines were determined in blubber and liver samples from common dolphins inhabiting the coastal waters of the south-east coast of southern Africa. Liver […]

Research Jul 6, 1987 0

Pilchard distribution in South African waters, 1983–1985

M. J. Armstrong , A. Berruti & J. Colclough (1987) Pilchard distribution in South African waters, 1983–1985, South African Journal of Marine Science, 5:1, 871-886, Abstract Seasonal movements of South African pilchard Sardinops ocellatus in the relatively abundant 1982/83 year-class are inferred by means of length frequency information from predator diet analyses and from commercial […]

Sardine Run Research Publications & Projects