Sardine Fishing Stays Suspended Pending Review
South Africa's fisheries department is weighing a recommendation for November management after a sardine mortality event earlier this year.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Fishing
Sardine fishing remains suspended while the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment considers a recommendation for November management. The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group met on 27 October after the previous sardine management measures expired on 31 October.
Why it matters
The suspension follows a widespread sardine mortality event recorded between late July and early September 2026, with no reports so far of a recurrence. Sardines are a key fishery, and the decision will shape how the stock is managed in the months ahead.
The previous sardine management measures expired on 31 October, and no sardine fishing is permitted while the Department considers the recommendation. Test results for pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) on the samples collected from the wash-up are still pending.
The players
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
The South African government department responsible for managing the country's fisheries and marine resources, including the sardine fishery.
Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group
The departmental advisory body that reviews data on small pelagic fish such as sardines and recommends fishery management measures.
The details
The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group reviewed updated sardine catch information, automated penguin weighbridge data, fishery-related socio-economic information and sardine population model projections before submitting a recommendation for November management. PHV is a fish virus and is not known to infect people, and commercial sardine products released through regulated channels remain safe.
Timeline
Late July to early September 2026: widespread sardine mortality event recorded.
23 October 2026: small number of juvenile sardines washed up near Mossel Bay.
27 October 2026: Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group meeting held.
31 October 2026: previous sardine management measures expired.
End of 2026: planned hydroacoustic survey to estimate sardine biomass.
Roadmap
Sardine management in South Africa is being reset after the expiry of the earlier measures on 31 October, with the Department deciding whether to reopen or extend restrictions. The end-of-year hydroacoustic survey will provide the first fisheries-independent estimate of sardine biomass since the mortality event.
Recreational and commercial anglers cannot fish for sardines while the suspension remains in place. Anglers should watch for the Department's update on whether the November recommendation is adopted.
The takeaway
Anglers and seafood buyers should expect no sardine fishing until the Department publishes its decision, so plan trips around that update rather than assuming access will resume automatically.
What happens next
The Department will provide an update when the decision process is complete, and the end-of-year hydroacoustic survey is planned for the end of 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on fishing to see how sardine stock decisions affect the wider South African fishery.
