The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in South Africa has announced that it has not received any further reports of dead sardines since September 10, indicating the end of the acute mortality phase. This update was provided in a statement released on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The department had been actively monitoring the situation and collecting data to understand the cause of the sardine mortality event.
Laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has resumed to determine the virus's presence and its possible association with the sardine mortality event. The testing of samples collected before, during, and after the mortality event aims to clarify when the virus was present, its association with affected fish, and whether it remains detectable. The department has cautioned that detecting viral material alone does not establish active disease.
The department is continuing surveillance and has encouraged coastal authorities, fishers, and members of the public to report any new sightings of dead sardines promptly. An approved precautionary catch limit is in force from October 3 to 30, 2026, to limit the rate of sardine removals while further scientific information is gathered and processed. Each sardine right holder may harvest no more than 33% of its remaining uncaught 2026 directed sardine total allowable catch.
The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is expected to reassess the situation on October 27, 2026, or earlier if new evidence emerges. The department is also preparing for the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey, planned to begin in early November, which will provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass and distribution following the mortality event.
The department and its partners are continuing work under a coordinated response plan, including monitoring possible effects on sardine-dependent predators and the wider marine ecosystem. The public has been advised against collecting or consuming dead or dying sardines found on beaches or floating near the shore, as PHV is a fish virus and not known to infect people.
Commercially produced sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe. However, the public has been cautioned against feeding the fish to animals or using them as bait. The department's efforts aim to ensure the sustainability of the fishery and minimize potential impacts on the marine ecosystem.
The situation will continue to be monitored, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The department's response plan is in place to address any future developments and ensure the long-term health of the sardine population in South African waters.
Key points
- The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has not received any new reports of dead sardines since September 10, 2026.
- Laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has resumed to determine its association with the sardine mortality event.
- A precautionary catch limit is in force until October 30, 2026, to limit the rate of sardine removals.
