The Agulhas Front is the western boundary current of the southwest Indian Ocean. It flows down the east coast of Africa from 27°S to 40°S. It is narrow, swift and strong. It is even suggested that the Agulhas is the largest western boundary current in the world ocean. Upwelling of cold and nutrient-rich water occurs as the current drives surface waters down towards the ocean floor. This phenomenon is what makes the Agulhas such a critican convergence zone with enhanced primary productivity. For this reason, Mission Blue designated the Agulhas current as a Hope Spot. Each May, billions of sardines spawn in the area and have a feeding frenzy along the coast of Southern Africa traveling along the current.
