The tradition of sardine netting: A Durban angler's legacy

WITH multiple sardines shoals beaching along KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast this past week, skilled seine netter Leonard "Lenny", Pillay, 70, is hardly like a fish out of water, its an eagerly anticipated time of year for him. 

For over 50 years, Pillay has been casting nets along the shores in and around Durban, bagging the popular annual fish phenomenon, as part of the region's fishing culture.

The first batch of sardines landed on the lower South Coast at Port Edward on Saturday and more shoals were reported, up the coastline, heading towards Durban, in places like Port Shepstone, Pennington, Warner Beach, Winkelspruit and Amanzimtoti by mid-week.

Once and again Pillay and his crew,  which usually number about 12, including divers, are ready for the anticipated sardine splashes at beaches closer to Durban

Netting sardines has been a family tradition for Pillay and his ancestors, dating back 120 years.

For many of those years, Pillay's family were based in Fynnlands, near the Bluff and were counted among Durban's pioneering seine netters crowd.

On the days when Pillay and team are out sardine hunting, they employ a coordinated system to land their catches, which has been honed over decades.

His crew usually spots schools of fish from a vehicle stationed onshore, and maintain radio contact to ensure synchronisation. Once they pinpoint a good location, they venture out in a motorised boat, a significant advancement from the rowboats he and his family used in his early days.

“We intercept the shoals about 200 to 300 metres from the shoreline, often just over the breakers,” Pillay explained.

“Once we get into position, the first diver jumps in to start the netting process. The skipper circles the shoal, spreading the net, while the second diver directs the fish into a specially designed bag.”

The nets used by Pillay's crew are 120 metres long, with lead weights to ensure they stay submerged, while corks on the top-end of the net provide buoyancy. The bags attached to the net, are about 15 to 20 metres in length and 10 to 15 metres deep, can hold a substantial catch, often resulting in up to 300 crates of sardines, which weighs between seven to eight tons.

Sardines are big business for those skilled in the craft, with crates fetching up to R700 each at the start of the season. However, the excitement of the haul is palpable from the moment the fish hit the shoreline, something that continues to get Pillay's adrenalin going.

He recalled over the years how spectators would gather to witness the spectacle. For many, catching sardines was a community event, with local women using dresses and saris as makeshift nets.

Pillay said that the tradition has dwindled, especially in recent years, with fewer people enjoying sardines due to rising scepticism surrounding their consumption.

For Pillay, fishing is a spiritual experience that is imbued with wonderful memories and respect for the ocean.

“My older brother Harold, who died earlier this year, was my mentor. He taught me everything I know about seine netting,” Pillay reflects.

“He was one of the first local seine netters to use a motorised boat; before that, it was all rowing out to sea.”

The transition from manual to motorised boats revolutionised sardine fishing in the area, facilitating greater catches, Pillay noticed.

He said the skill involved in netting sardines remains significant, as they are elusive fish that require a strong team and skilled individuals to navigate the ocean's challenging currents safely. “All our crew must be strong swimmers,” Pillay emphasises, recalling that they have had no incidents of shark attacks, as these predatory fish are focused on the sardines instead of the divers.

Despite experiencing setbacks, such as the theft of his vehicle and equipment three years ago—an incident that took a significant toll on his operations—Pillay, who was a seasoned and respected lifeguard, continues to be passionate about netting.

He said the loss of the equipment, valued at approximately R150,000, was a blow, but his love for catching sardines kept him motivated and has since managed to secure new equipment for his favourite pastime.

“I’m ready for when the sardines hit Durban,” he said earlier this week, knowing that thrill is what drives him and his crew.

Pillay who carries the weight of tradition and a rich family history on his shoulders, said: “I will keep going as long as I can, even though my wife and children has asked me to slow down. For me, it’s always been an exciting time when the sardines arrive.”

DAILY NEWS