Cape Town – The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has confirmed through laboratory sequencing the detection of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) genetic material in the sampled sardines.
During the lab results announcement on Friday, 14 August 2026, the department stated: “Laboratory sequencing has confirmed that PHV genetic material is indeed present in the sardines that were sampled.
“The role of this virus in the recent sardine mortality is still under investigation.
“PHV was identified in both deceased sardines, and at lower concentrations in some sardines that appeared healthy, sourced from the West Coast.
“This suggests that the presence of the virus alone may not be sufficient to cause widespread mortality.”
As a result, scientists are also assessing whether environmental stressors, such as harmful algae, low oxygen levels, or unusual oceanographic conditions, may have exacerbated the situation.
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“This remains a hypothesis that requires further validation,” the department commented.
“Tests for toxins in sardines collected from Saldanha Bay, Cape Canyon, and Gansbaai, along with a healthy control sample from St Helena Bay, showed no signs of paralytic toxins commonly linked to harmful algal blooms in Saldanha Bay.
“Two additional algal toxins, domoic acid and yessotoxin, were detected at low levels, with the highest concentrations found in the apparently healthy control sample.”
The department revealed that no further toxins screened were identified.
“These findings indicate that the tested toxins are unlikely to be the main cause of the sardine fatalities,” the statement emphasized.
“Nevertheless, they do not entirely rule out the possibility that harmful algae or environmental conditions may have imposed additional stress on the fish.
“The department has convened an urgent briefing with stakeholders from the small pelagic fishing sector.”
A task force, comprising the department, representatives from the fishing industry, and other pertinent stakeholders, will be established to swiftly formulate a coordinated response plan regarding PHV-related sardine mortality in South African waters.
Through a united inter-agency effort, the department announced it is bolstering disease surveillance along the West, South, and East coasts while ongoing studies on disease, pathology, and environmental factors continue.
“The department’s routine hydroacoustic biomass survey scheduled for October/November will provide the first opportunity to assess the potential impact on the sardine population,” the statement noted.
“PHV has not previously been reported in South African sardines.
“It was associated with two notable sardine mortality events in Australasia during the 1990s.”
However, the virus was subsequently detected in seemingly healthy Australian populations without leading to ongoing mortality.
PHV is a virus connected to sardines, commonly known as pilchards, and there is no evidence to suggest it infects humans or other animals.
“The identification of PHV does not imply that commercially caught healthy sardines or canned products are unsafe, nor does it currently justify a widespread halt to fishing or canning,” the department indicated.
“The biotoxin test results are also promising, although they do not guarantee a full clearance of all commercial catches.
“Monitoring and adherence to standard food safety protocols should continue.”
“The public is advised against collecting or consuming dead or dying fish, and to avoid feeding such fish to pets.”
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