Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reviews sardine management

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reviews sardine management Zekhethelo Mon, 11/02/2026 - 12:23 02 Nov 2026 DFFE reviews sardine management following scientific meeting The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has received no reports indicating a recurrence of the widespread sardine mortality event recorded between late July and early September 2026. A small number of juvenile sardines washed up sparsely near Mossel Bay on 23 October. Samples are being tested for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV); it is not yet known whether this wash-up is related to the earlier event. Testing continues on sardine samples collected before, during and after the mortality event. At its 27 October meeting, the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (SWG-PEL) reviewed updated sardine catch information, automated penguin weighbridge data, fishery-related socio-economic information and sardine population model projections and submitted a recommendation for November management. The previous management measures expired on 31 October. No sardine fishing is permitted while the Department considers the recommendation; fishing may resume only once new measures have been approved and com

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