Something Fishy Keeps Sardine Boats at Bay

Sardine fishing remains suspended while the government considers new management measures following a widespread sardine mortality event that affected the coast between late July and early September.

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said the department had received no reports indicating a recurrence of the large-scale mortality event, although a small number of juvenile sardines washed up sparsely near Mossel Bay on October 23.

Samples from the latest wash-up are being tested for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV), but it is not yet known whether the incident is linked to the earlier mass mortality.

Nqayi said testing was continuing on sardine samples collected before, during and after the mortality event as investigations into the incident continued.

The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (SWG-PEL) met on October 27 to review updated sardine catch information, automated penguin weighbridge data, fisheries-related socio-economic information and sardine population model projections.

According to Nqayi, the working group submitted a recommendation to the department on management measures for November.

The previous management measures expired on 31 October. However, sardine fishing remains prohibited while the department considers the recommendation.

Fishing may resume only once new management measures have been approved and formally communicated, Nqayi said.

The department will provide an update when the decision-making process is complete.

Preparations are continuing for an end-of-year hydroacoustic survey intended to provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass, distribution and size structure since the mortality event.

The survey is expected to provide scientific information about the state of sardine stocks and help inform decisions on the management of the fishery.

Sardines play an important role in the marine food web, supporting predators such as seabirds and other marine animals. The fishery also contributes to coastal livelihoods and economic activity.

Nqayi urged members of the public not to collect or consume dead or dying sardines found on beaches or near the shore.

The public should also avoid feeding the fish to animals or using them as bait. Any unusual fish mortality should be reported promptly to the relevant coastal authority or the department.

Although pilchard herpesvirus is a fish virus and is not known to infect humans, commercially sold sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe, according to the department.