Sardine Catch Limits Amid Mass Fish Deaths Revised

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has approved revised interim sardine catch limits until November 30, allowing commercial fishing operations to resume while investigations continue into reports of mass sardine deaths along South Africa’s coastline.

The decision was approved on November 5, following a recommendation from the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group. It comes after previous restrictions on sardine fishing expired on October 31.

The revised measures provide temporary guidelines for commercial fishing companies while authorities continue monitoring the situation and investigating the unusual deaths of sardines reported along the country’s coastline.

Under the interim arrangements, commercial fishing companies may initially catch approximately 2 800 tonnes of sardines west of Cape Agulhas and 2 700 tonnes east of the landmark.

The limits are intended to regulate fishing activities during the temporary period, with the department allowing the industry to resume operations under the revised conditions.

The decision comes at a time when concerns have been raised about the mass deaths of sardines, prompting investigations into what could be contributing to the phenomenon.

Sardines are an important part of South Africa’s marine ecosystem and support several commercial fishing activities. They also play an important role in the food chain, providing a source of food for various marine predators, including seabirds, dolphins and larger fish.

The sardine fishing industry is also economically significant, supporting businesses, fishing communities and employment opportunities linked to the harvesting and processing of small pelagic fish.

The department’s decision to introduce interim catch limits means that commercial operators can continue fishing while the relevant scientific and environmental assessments remain ongoing.

The November 30 deadline provides a temporary framework for the industry, rather than a permanent revision of sardine fishing allocations.

The investigations into the mass sardine deaths are expected to provide further information about the situation along the coastline. Their findings could help authorities better understand the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether additional management measures are necessary.

In the meantime, the DFFE’s revised interim limits will govern commercial sardine catches on both sides of Cape Agulhas until the end of November.

The department’s approach seeks to balance the continuation of commercial fishing activities with the need to monitor marine conditions and investigate the reported fish deaths.

https://iol.co.za/thepost/news/2026-11-14-south-africa-sets-interim-sardine-quotas-amid-pilchard-herpesvirus-investigation/

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