South Africa Approves Interim Sardine Catch Limits Amid Virus Investigation

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in South Africa has approved revised interim sardine catch limits, effective until 30 November, while investigations into mass sardine deaths along the country's coastline continue. This decision, made on 5 November, follows a recommendation from the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group and allows commercial sardine fishing to resume after previous restrictions expired on 31 October.

Under the interim measures, companies are allowed to catch approximately 2 800 tonnes of sardines west of Cape Agulhas and 2 700 tonnes east of the landmark. The department has also included a provision for the limits to increase by 80% in either area if catches exceed half of the initial allocation by 15 November, meaning catches would need to exceed 1 400 tonnes west of Cape Agulhas or 1 350 tonnes to the east.

The decision follows continued uncertainty about the scale of the mortality event, first reported off Saldanha Bay on 28 July. According to the department, reports suggest that detections indicate Pilchard Herpesvirus (PHV) was present around Cape Agulhas before the first reported mortalities farther west, pointing to an earlier spread than mortality. The stepped catch limits aim to provide flexibility by allowing allocations to increase in areas where catches improve.

Testing is ongoing for PHV, which has been detected in sardine samples associated with the mortality event. Notably, PHV genetic material was found in two samples taken from apparently healthy sardines during the department's recruit survey around Cape Agulhas on 22 and 29 July. This suggests the virus may have been present further east before the first mass mortalities were reported.

Further evidence of PHV was found in samples collected during a small sardine wash-up at Mossel Bay on 23 October. Although no further widespread sardine mortalities have been reported, monitoring and testing continue. Studies of PHV in Australia found that infected sardines could develop gill lesions before dying, with a modelled incubation period of up to 12 days.

The department emphasizes that PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people, and commercial sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe for consumption. However, the department warns that members of the public should not collect or consume dead or dying sardines found on beaches or near the shore, feed them to animals, or use them as bait.

The department advises that any unusual fish mortality should be reported promptly to the relevant coastal authority or the DFFE. This approach aims to balance the need for commercial fishing with the necessity of ensuring public health and environmental sustainability. The investigations and monitoring efforts will continue to inform future decisions on sardine catch limits.

Key points

• The DFFE has approved interim sardine catch limits of 2 800 tonnes west of Cape Agulhas and 2 700 tonnes east, with potential increases if catches exceed certain thresholds.
• Pilchard Herpesvirus (PHV) has been detected in sardine samples, suggesting it may have been present in areas before mass mortalities were reported.
• Commercial sardine products remain safe for consumption, but the public is warned against handling or consuming dead or dying sardines.