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Dead sardines mystery Ishmael Mabena

housands of dead sardines that washed up along West Coast beaches have raised an uncomfortable question: should the public be worried about the fish in their cans, the health of the ocean... or both? Scientists had yet to establish whether the pilchard herpesvirus (PHV), ultimately, was the cause of the mass deaths, leaving crucial questions about what was happening beneath the surface. Earlier this month the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) announced mass deaths of sardines along

“healthy” fish it “cannot Many contain pilchard herpesvirus some yet be attributed as the cause of the West Coast. While thousands of sardines died thousands more were identified as “dying” at the time before they were deemed “healthy” again. The DFFE announced PHV was detected in the dead sardines and some of the healthy fish. Moreover, what had not yet been proven was whether sewage pollution, animal agriculture or human activity could have led to the virus’ prevalence. Available evidence had not yet proven to be any cause of the virus or that the virus killed the fish. “At the moment there hasn’t been any confirmation in terms of the sardines not being healthy for anyone to consume,” said Thabile Nkunjana of the National Agricultural Market Council. “The DFFE has actually confirmed that

humans can continue consuming the pillchards as it is not really affecting humans at the moment or even animals.” While PHV is a first for South Africa, other countries such as New Zealand and Australia have had their fair share of it. Nkunjana said it was still concerning that this had happened in the country’s oceans. But should results from the testing determine PHV as the cause of the mass deaths it could significantly reduce the sardine population in the country. “That could probably somehow lead to significantly lower supply [of fish] to the market,” Nkunjana said, “and we could see a hike in prices.” Dr Loraine Shuttleworth of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) said even in the midst of the PHV detection in dead and

death. “Whether perhaps their immune system was weakened by any other factor making them susceptible could be a possibility, for now this all remains speculative.” Fishing-industry experts said there had been little fishing activity over the previous two weeks. The most activity had been in Mossel Bay, but Cape Agulhas has proven more challenging since the incident. Fish-processing industry leaders told Hermanus Times, there had been no adult sardines to work with. “Juvenile sardines are too small for canning,” an industry spokesperson said. “But all hope is not lost. Vessels that have gone out fishing on Monday night reported no signs of floating dead fish.” He also confirmed that this situation, luckily, had not negatively impacted the business operations in any way.

Pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has been detected in dead and seemingly healthy sardines.

Over 80 residents rescue dolphin When a Risso's dolphin stranded on Silversands Beach in Bettys Bay on Sunday 16 August, more than 80 people - residents with buckets and towels, CapeNature and the Betty's Bay Conservancy - mobilised within minutes to get it safely back to sea. The Dyer Island Conservation Trust urged the public to contact professionals before intervening with stranded marine animals. Full story on page 2.

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