The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has received no reports of a recurrence of widespread sardine mortality, apart from isolated wash-ups that occur periodically for various reasons.
The widespread sardine mortality event was observed between late July and early September 2026. On 23 October 2026, a small number of juvenile sardines measuring less than 5 cm washed up sparsely along an approximately 200 m stretch of beach near Mossel Bay.
"Samples were collected for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) testing. Other beaches in the surrounding area were inspected, but no further wash-ups were found. Small, isolated wash-ups occur periodically for various reasons, and it is not yet known whether this occurrence is linked to the earlier mortality event," the DFFE said.
The department said laboratory testing was continuing on samples collected before, during, and after the event.
“The emerging diagnostic pattern shows that PHV has been detected substantially more frequently in affected or dead sardines than in apparently healthy fish, strengthening the association between the virus and the mortality event.
“Further testing, quality-control work and sequence confirmation are continuing to clarify the timing, geographic distribution and epidemiology of PHV,” the DFFE said.
PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people.
The department assured the public that commercial sardine products released through regulated channels remained safe.
“Limited directed sardine catches, and sardine bycatch have been recorded in several areas during October 2026. These observations confirm that sardines remain present in parts of the coast but cannot, on their own, indicate overall abundance,” the department said.
The temporary precautionary limit on directed sardine catches remains in force until 30 October 2026.
The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group will meet on 27 October 2026 to consider the latest mortality reports, diagnostic results, fishing and catch information, predator-monitoring information, and preparations for the end-of-year survey.
Any subsequent management decision will be communicated once the required scientific and administrative processes have been completed.
“Preparations for the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey are continuing. The survey will provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass, distribution and size structure following the mortality event.
“The tender to charter a suitable research vessel closed on 23 October 2026, and bid evaluation and the associated administrative processes will begin in the coming week.
“Members of the public should nevertheless not collect or consume dead or dying sardines found on beaches or near the shore, feed them to animals, or use them as bait. Any unusual fish mortality should be reported promptly to the relevant coastal authority or DFFE.” – SAnews.gov.za
