Every year, South Africa’s Sardine Run draws thousands of visitors, eager to witness one of the most spectacular marine wildlife events on the planet. Shoals of sardines stretch for miles, attracting a feeding frenzy of predators, including dolphins, seabirds, whales, and, of course, sharks. But while this natural wonder is a goldmine for ecotourism, some argue that it disrupts marine ecosystems or that shark tourism is an unnecessary risk.

The reality?

The Sardine Run doesn’t just showcase nature’s brilliance, it actively protects it.

A Predator Worth More Alive Than Dead

Sharks are the apex predators of the Sardine Run, and their presence is a major draw for divers, filmmakers, and tourists. But beyond the thrill, there’s a critical financial argument to be made: sharks are far more valuable alive than dead. A report by Oceana found that shark ecotourism generates hundreds of millions of dollars globally, while a single dead shark, caught for its fins or meat, is worth mere pennies in comparison.

According to Pew Trusts, reef sharks in Palau contribute an estimated $1.9 million each over their lifetimes through tourism, whereas a single dead shark fetches only $108 at market. The same economic principle applies to South Africa’s waters, where a live shark supports local businesses, jobs, and conservation efforts through sustainable tourism. The question then becomes: why are some still advocating for the mass culling of these creatures when they’re worth exponentially more alive?

Sharks Are Not the Enemy

Despite their economic value, sharks face persistent threats in South Africa. Misguided fears about shark attacks fuel calls for lethal control measures like drumlines and shark nets; outdated and ecologically damaging practices that indiscriminately kill marine life, including endangered species.

Ironically, these same sharks drive South Africa’s multimillion-dollar dive tourism industry, proving that their survival is inextricably linked to the economy.

By protecting the predators of the Sardine Run, South Africa preserves an ecological spectacle while securing jobs in tourism, hospitality, and marine conservation. It’s ensuring that communities along the coast continue to benefit from this natural event for generations to come.

From Passive Observers to Active Conservationists

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum’s quote perfectly encapsulates why the Sardine Run and shark conservation efforts are so vital.

“We will conserve only what we love.” Experiencing the Sardine Run first and seeing sharks glide effortlessly through bait balls and feeling the sheer energy of the ocean, creates an emotional connection that turns spectators into advocates. It’s hard not to love something so breathtakingly wild.

“We will love only what we understand.” Sharks have long been vilified, but when people see them in their natural role as apex predators, shaping marine ecosystems, their fear turns into fascination. The more we understand sharks, the more we appreciate their importance in maintaining ocean health.

“We will understand only what we are taught.” Ecotourism, like responsible Sardine Run expeditions, plays a huge role in education. Through firsthand encounters, expert guides, and conservation messaging, people learn that sharks are worth far more alive than dead. This, in turn, supports coastal economies, balancing marine ecosystems, and ensuring the future of this natural phenomenon.

Critics argue that the Sardine Run disrupts natural feeding patterns or stresses marine life due to increased human activity. However, scientific studies suggest that well-managed ecotourism can actually enhance conservation efforts. The presence of responsible tour operators discourages illegal fishing, promotes marine research, and generates funds for conservation initiatives.

Furthermore, ecotourism advocates education and awareness. Anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to experience the sardine run will tell you how incredible it is to witness the greatest shoal on Earth and often leave as passionate champions for ocean conservation. In an age where marine species are vanishing at alarming rates, the Sardine Run may be one of the few large-scale events that turn passive observers into active conservationists.

The Sardine Run is an opportunity to teach, inspire, and create lifelong ocean ambassadors. If we want to protect sharks and the marine environments they support, we need more people to experience, understand, and ultimately, fight for them.

My Sardine Run Experience (Still Seems Surreal!)

Experiencing the Sardine Run firsthand in Cintsa on South Africa’s Wild Coast was one of the most incredible events of my life. I swam alongside foraging dusky sharks in focused grace, watched hundreds of common dolphins expertly and intelligently herd sardines into bait balls, observed the honed precision of countless Cape gannets diving, and saw gentle but giant Bryde’s whales effortlessly slicing through the schools.

My friends who stayed longer even had the amazing opportunity to interact with humpback whales. Cintsa is a hidden gem for the Sardine Run, offering an untouched wilderness without the intense competition of other operators. The encounters I had weren’t just breathtaking, they reinforced why this natural event is invaluable for conservation and ecotourism.

I will be forever grateful to Go Dive Mossel Bay for their incredible passion for the ocean and the unforgettable experiences they’ve given me. Their expertise and dedication to marine conservation made my Sardine Run adventure in Cintsa extraordinary. Cintsa is truly a hidden gem for the Sardine Run, offering an intimate, untouched wilderness where the ocean comes alive without the crowds.

The Bottom Line: The Sardine Run is Vital for Conservation in South Africa

The real controversy isn’t whether the Sardine Run is good or bad for conservation. It’s why we aren’t doing more to protect the species that make it so extraordinary.

Instead of fearing sharks or debating their presence, we should be celebrating them as a cornerstone of South Africa’s ecotourism economy.

Every shark in the Sardine Run represents a long-term financial investment, one that benefits local communities far more than a fleeting profit from finning or culling.

So, the next time someone asks whether the Sardine Run is a threat, remind them of this: a dead shark is worth a few dollars, but a live shark fuels an entire industry. South Africa’s future… both ecological and economic… depends on making the right choice.

godive.co.za/keep-fin-alive

Photos: Frogfish Photography

It’s time to catch up with 12-year-old Mia DaPonte, New England’s youngest ever female PADI Master Scuba Diver, in her latest blog for Scubaverse!

Around this time last year, during April vacation, me and my mom went to Nassau, Bahamas. We did 10 dives with Stuart Cove’s and they were all really clear and beautiful. This was one of my first times being in clear water so I wanted to share it with you since it was pretty magical.

When we went there, I heard about the different dive spots and they were all really great. We never went to the same spot more than once, there were so many to choose from. There were some fun shipwrecks, a sunken airplane, and we saw some sharks in the beginning and a lot of stingrays and tropical fish. I really wanted to do a shark dive and feeding while we were there but we didn’t know if I was old enough. At the end of the trip we asked one of the dive masters and he told us that I could do it! The next day we were ready to board the boat for the shark dive.

I was really nervous at first to go in the water. I jumped in the water and I was looking down and saw all the sharks circling below me like a feeding in the movies. When I finally found the courage and descended, I was so happy I did it. It was magical—all of the sharks were swimming with us and thinking that we were just a normal part of the ocean. There was a photographer with us too. A tiny little baby nurse shark came up to me when I was kneeling on the bottom of the ocean. It was trying to play and sit on my lap. I couldn’t touch it because the dive master told us not to, but I really wanted to because it was so cute! I tried to move but no matter where I went it would follow. My mom has a great video of the shark trying to play with me that always makes me laugh when I see it. We swam around within the reefs for a little bit and then it was time to head up and swap tanks. We weren’t done yet—we still had one more dive. This next dive was the feeding.

Imagine sharks all around you. Wherever you turn, they are there. They would swim above us, right next to us, and behind us. We had to stay pretty still by rock markers that made up the “shark arena” that were in the sand while the dive master was doing the feeding. It was so amazing to see this. I will never forget it. There were so many sharks—they were everywhere and all kinds of sizes. The shark feeder kept food in a box and he would put it on a long stick one piece at a time and the sharks would come eat it off the stick. The dive master feeder had special training and a special metal chain barrier suit that he wore over his wetsuit. I asked him after the feeding if he had ever gotten bit and he said he hadn’t.

After the sharks had their lunch and there was no more food, they swam away and we got to go try to find and collect any teeth they lost during the feeding. I found one tooth that had fallen out of a shark’s mouth. This tooth is really special to me because it wasn’t bought from a shop but I got it and saw it being collected with my own eyes.

This trip was really fun to do. It was just me and my mom living the dream with sharks swimming all around us.

To find out more about Shark Diving in the Bahamas, visit stuartcove.com/shark-diving.