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Pilchard Herpesvirus Detected Along South Africa’s West Coast

Image provided by Cape Town Etc
Image provided by Cape Town Etc

There are few things more South African than a shoal of sardines moving through our coastal waters. From the famous sardine run to the seabirds, dolphins, sharks and whales that follow these little fish, sardines play a massive role in our marine ecosystem.


That is why the latest discovery of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) along South Africa’s West Coast is something worth paying attention to.


According to a report by Cape Town Etc, laboratory testing has detected PHV genetic material in sardines collected during an investigation into recent mass deaths along the coast. Interestingly, the virus was found not only in dead fish, but also in some apparently healthy sardines.



What We Know So Far


The discovery does not necessarily mean that PHV is solely responsible for the large numbers of sardines washing ashore.


Scientists are also investigating other possible environmental pressures, including unusual ocean conditions, oxygen depletion and harmful algal activity. Testing found no paralytic toxins in the samples examined, although low levels of domoic acid and yessotoxin were detected.


In other words, there are still more questions than answers.


Why Sardines Matter


At KhakiBush, we often talk about Africa's big animals, but conservation doesn't stop at the shoreline.


Sardines might be small, but they are an important part of the marine food chain. They provide food for seabirds, dolphins, seals, predatory fish and other marine species. When something affects a species that occurs in such large numbers, the potential knock-on effects across the ecosystem deserve careful attention.


The West Coast is also an important part of South Africa's fishing economy, meaning the issue has implications beyond wildlife and conservation.



Research and Monitoring Continue


The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is continuing its investigation, with increased disease surveillance along South Africa's coastline. A dedicated task team involving government, industry and other stakeholders is also being established.


The next hydroacoustic sardine biomass survey, expected in October and November, should provide more information about the state of the sardine population and help scientists understand the wider impact.


For now, the message is one of watch, investigate and understand rather than panic.


A Reminder That Our Oceans Need Protecting


There's something special about standing on a South African beach and watching the ocean stretch endlessly towards the horizon. What happens beneath that surface can sometimes seem a world away from us, but it is intimately connected to the health of our environment, our wildlife and coastal communities.


The sardine story is another reminder that conservation is about understanding the entire ecosystem — from the smallest fish to the largest predators.


And while scientists work to establish exactly what is happening, the best thing we can do is stay informed, respect our marine environment and report unusual wildlife events rather than interfering with affected animals.


Source: Cape Town Etc, 17 August 2026.Images: Credit Cape Town Etc.



This article is written by Craig Mitchell, KhakiBush Magazine editor, conservationist, guide, adventurer, photographer and explorer. Craig personally guides safari and adventure expeditions, sharing his passion for Africa's wild places through authentic wildlife encounters, remote landscapes, and unforgettable experiences


Keywords: pilchard herpesvirus, sardines South Africa, sardine deaths, West Coast sardines, sardine run South Africa, marine conservation, South African ocean, marine wildlife, PHV, ocean conservation

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