In an extraordinary display of nature’s untamed spectacle, this year’s Sardine Run off the south coast of South Africa was captured on video, providing a rare and awe-inspiring glimpse into the lives of marine apex predators.
The footage, shared by free diver and conservationist Andy Coetzee, showcases a gripping scene involving orcas, a young humpback whale, and the mesmerising phenomenon of the sardine run.
The encounter began with the sighting of three orcas engaged in a dramatic feeding session on the remains of a young humpback whale.
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The free divers, exercising caution and respect for the majestic creatures, chose to observe from a distance, ensuring they did not disturb the natural behaviour of these marine giants.
The Sardine Run, an annual phenomenon along the southern coast of Africa, sees billions of sardines migrate along the coastline, attracting a host of predators, including dolphins, sharks, seabirds, and, of course, orcas.
The spectacle, often referred to as the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth,’ is facing significant challenges due to climate change and overfishing.
This natural event, involving billions of sardines migrating from the cold waters of the Cape to the warmer regions of KwaZulu-Natal, not only draws a plethora of predators but also plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
As winter approaches, the upwelling of cold water along the coast brings with it a massive aggregation of sardines.
The Sardine Run is vital for marine predators like dolphins, sharks, whales, seals, and birds. According to a BBC report, these shoals, often over 7 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide, and 30 metres deep, provide crucial nourishment.
ALSO SEE: Why the Sardine Run should be on every diver’s bucket list
Marine biologist Peter Teske notes that sardines are avoiding the warmer Agulhas current and moving to cooler, shallower waters. This creates bottlenecks along the coast, making them more vulnerable to predators.
Dolphins round up sardines into bait balls, facilitating a feeding frenzy that sustains many marine species. However, overfishing and climate change are depleting sardine stocks and altering their migration patterns.
This decline threatens the entire ecosystem, including endangered species like the African penguin, Cape cormorant and Cape gannet. The disruption of the Sardine Run endangers these species and the annual event that sustains them.
Sadly, the future of this marine marvel is uncertain, and its potential collapse could have devastating consequences for marine biodiversity along South Africa’s coast.
The original footage was taken by Jann Luis Garcia Ehrhardt.
For more videos and imagery from the Sardine Run, visit Andy’s Instagram page.
Article shared by Cape Town ETC.
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