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Sardine catch limit stays as Mossel Bay wash-up is probed

Published

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says it has no reports of widespread sardine deaths returning. A small number of juvenile sardines washed up near Mossel Bay on 23 October 2026, and virus testing continues.

The juvenile sardines were less than 5 cm long. They washed up along approximately 200 m of beach. The department said laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is continuing.

The department said small, isolated wash-ups occur periodically for various reasons. It said it is not yet known whether this one is linked to the earlier mortality event.

The department said PHV has been detected substantially more often in affected or dead sardines than in apparently healthy fish. It said this strengthens the link between the virus and the deaths.

A temporary precautionary limit on directed sardine catches stays in force until 30 October 2026. The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group will meet on 27 October 2026. The department said commercial sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe.

Key facts

Who
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (government department issuing the update on sardine mortality)
What
DFFE said it has received no reports of a recurrence of widespread sardine mortality, though a small number of juvenile sardines washed up near Mossel Bay on 23 October 2026, and laboratory testing for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) is continuing. A temporary precautionary limit on directed sardine catches remains in force until 30 October 2026.
When
26 October 2026
Where
Mossel Bay
Status
Reported

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