Overview
- Large numbers of dead and dying sardines have washed up along South Africa’s west and south coasts, with reports also coming from Namibia and new strandings near Gqeberha.
- Tests by South African authorities identified pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) in the affected fish, marking the first detection of PHV in South African waters.
- Initial results show consistently high PHV loads in dead fish and variable levels in live fish, making the virus the leading explanation while scientists continue to examine other stressors such as low oxygen, cold water and harmful algae.
- The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has set up a response team, held an intergovernmental meeting, scheduled a scientific review for early September and plans a stock survey in October–November; Namibian authorities have agreed to send samples for testing.
- Authorities say PHV poses no known risk to people, commercially canned sardines remain safe to eat, the public should not collect stranded wild fish, and the die-off has already clogged Koeberg’s seawater intake, forcing a 50% power cut on one reactor unit and highlighting wider risks to coastal operations and jobs.