The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is continuing to investigate an unusual sardine mortality event stretching from the Western Cape along South Africa’s southern and eastern coasts, to the northern Wild Coast and into Namibia.
Reports of dead sardines began in July, with the affected coastline spanning about 2 600 kilometres between Henties Bay and the northern Wild Coast.
Laboratory tests have confirmed Pilchard Herpesvirus, or PHV, in sardines linked to the deaths, including samples collected in Gqeberha.
The DFFE says this is the first confirmed detection of PHV in South African sardines. However, scientists are still investigating whether the virus is directly responsible for the deaths and whether environmental factors may also be involved.
The department says the full extent and impact of the mortality event remain uncertain. PHV has not been confirmed at every location where dead sardines have been reported, and factors such as ocean currents, fish movement and differences in monitoring must also be considered.
The DFFE says current assessments do not indicate that the deaths represent a large proportion of the overall sardine stock. However, the estimates remain uncertain, and the event may not yet have run its course.
An October and November hydroacoustic survey is expected to provide the first reliable, independent estimate of sardine numbers and distribution following the mortality event.
The DFFE is working with scientific institutions, provincial authorities, municipalities, the fishing industry and Namibian counterparts as part of a coordinated investigation.
On public health, the department says PHV is not known to infect humans. Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to eat.
However, the public is strongly advised not to collect, eat or feed dead or dying sardines to pets. Decomposing fish may contain harmful bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause illness.
The department also advises against using dead or visibly unhealthy sardines as bait while investigations into the virus continue.
Reports of dead sardines began in July, with the affected coastline spanning about 2 600 kilometres between Henties Bay and the northern Wild Coast.
Laboratory tests have confirmed Pilchard Herpesvirus, or PHV, in sardines linked to the deaths, including samples collected in Gqeberha.
The DFFE says this is the first confirmed detection of PHV in South African sardines. However, scientists are still investigating whether the virus is directly responsible for the deaths and whether environmental factors may also be involved.
The department says the full extent and impact of the mortality event remain uncertain. PHV has not been confirmed at every location where dead sardines have been reported, and factors such as ocean currents, fish movement and differences in monitoring must also be considered.
The DFFE says current assessments do not indicate that the deaths represent a large proportion of the overall sardine stock. However, the estimates remain uncertain, and the event may not yet have run its course.
An October and November hydroacoustic survey is expected to provide the first reliable, independent estimate of sardine numbers and distribution following the mortality event.
The DFFE is working with scientific institutions, provincial authorities, municipalities, the fishing industry and Namibian counterparts as part of a coordinated investigation.
On public health, the department says PHV is not known to infect humans. Commercially produced canned sardines processed under approved conditions remain safe to eat.
However, the public is strongly advised not to collect, eat or feed dead or dying sardines to pets. Decomposing fish may contain harmful bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause illness.
The department also advises against using dead or visibly unhealthy sardines as bait while investigations into the virus continue.
