The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it is investigating new reports of sardines washing ashore and has secured samples to test for Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV).

Isolated sightings of sardine mortality events were reported at Bakoven, in the Western Cape, and off Tsitsikamma, in the Eastern Cape. On August 27, there were widespread reports of sardines washing ashore around Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, and floating offshore and within the harbour.

Sardine strandings have also been reported along the Namibian coast and the Namibian authorities have agreed to provide samples for PHV testing.

PHV remains the leading explanation for the Western Cape mortality event. A link with the Gqeberha event is considered likely, but requires confirmation, and other causes and environmental contributions will also be investigated, the DFFE notes.

Samples are being collected for further testing, and observers will document the distribution of affected fish and attempt systematic counts at sea.

The DFFE recognises the concerns raised by conservation organisations. The intergovernmental task team met on August 26, assigned responsibilities and further developed the response plan that included surveillance, testing, disposal of dead fish, public communication and assessment of the stock impact, the department says.

The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group will meet on September 4 to review the latest findings and consider their implications for fisheries management. This assessment will inform advice on whether additional management measures are warranted.

The scale of mortality remains uncertain, and the October and November hydroacoustic survey will provide essential information on the post-event sardine stock status, it adds.

There is no basis to discontinue consumption of commercially produced canned sardines processed under National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) oversight, a joint statement by the DFFE and NRCS on August 27 says.

These products must be distinguished from dead or dying sardines found on beaches or floating at sea. The public should not collect or eat these fish, or feed them to pets, because of decomposition-related risks.

PHV is not known to infect people.

Separately, live and dead sardines have been reported in nuclear power plant Koeberg's cooling-water intake basin, with seals feeding on them. State-owned power utility Eskom is managing this incident.

The DFFE has not had access to the site, but has obtained a sardine sample for testing.

The DFFE will provide further updates as results and management decisions become available.