The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it is investigating new reports of sardines washing ashore and has secured samples to test for Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV).
Isolated sightings of sardine mortality events were reported at Bakoven, in the Western Cape, and off Tsitsikamma, in the Eastern Cape. On August 27, there were widespread reports of sardines washing ashore around Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, and floating offshore and within the harbour.
Sardine strandings have also been reported along the Namibian coast and the Namibian authorities have agreed to provide samples for PHV testing.
PHV remains the leading explanation for the Western Cape mortality event. A link with the Gqeberha event is considered likely, but requires confirmation, and other causes and environmental contributions will also be investigated, the DFFE notes.
Samples are being collected for further testing, and observers will document the distribution of affected fish and attempt systematic counts at sea.
