Mossel Bay:The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has announced that no reports have been received regarding a recurrence of widespread sardine mortality, except for some isolated incidents of fish wash-ups that occur periodically for various reasons.
According to South African Government News Agency, the widespread sardine mortality event had been observed between late July and early September 2026. On 23 October 2026, a small number of juvenile sardines, measuring less than 5 cm, were found washed up along an approximately 200-meter stretch of beach near Mossel Bay. Samples of these sardines were collected for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) testing. Other beaches in the surrounding area were inspected, but no additional wash-ups were found.
The DFFE stated that laboratory testing on samples collected before, during, and after the event is ongoing. Emerging diagnostic patterns show that PHV has been detected more frequently in affected or dead sardines than in apparently healthy ones, which strengthens the link between the virus and the mortality event. Further tests and quality-control work are being conducted to clarify the timing, geographic distribution, and epidemiology of PHV.
PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect humans. The department assures the public that commercial sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe. Limited directed sardine catches and sardine bycatch have been recorded in several areas during October 2026, indicating that sardines are still present along parts of the coast, although this does not determine their overall abundance.
The temporary precautionary limit on directed sardine catches remains in effect until 30 October 2026. The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is scheduled to meet on 27 October 2026 to review the latest mortality reports, diagnostic results, and other relevant information.
Preparations are underway for the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey, which aims to provide a 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, with bid evaluations and associated administrative processes set to begin shortly.
The DFFE advises the public not to collect or consume dead or dying sardines found on beaches or near the shore, nor to feed them to animals or use them as bait. Any unusual fish mortality should be reported promptly to the relevant coastal authority or the DFFE.