Mass sardine deaths in South Africa may threaten African penguins
Mass sardine deaths along South Africa’s coast could further weaken the population of African penguins in Algoa Bay. Conservationists fear that a reduced food supply threatens the colony on St Croix Island, where bird numbers have already declined sharply, Daily Maverick reports.
The cause of the fish deaths is still being determined
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is investigating the incident following reports of large numbers of dead sardines on the west coast between Saldanha and Gansbaai. Dead fish were later found near Tsitsikamma, while beaches in the Nelson Mandela Bay area were covered with thousands of sardines. The Buffalo City municipality also urged residents not to collect or consume dead fish.
One possible cause of the mass mortality is pilchard herpesvirus, or PHV: some samples tested positive. At the same time, the department is continuing to examine other possible environmental factors. Algoa Bay Conservation said marine scientists and pathologists are increasingly leaning towards PHV as the explanation, although cold shock, toxic algal blooms, acute chemical pollution or a significant lack of oxygen could be contributing factors.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
A call not to wait for the survey
The department plans to conduct a hydroacoustic survey of sardine stocks in October or November. The scientific working group on small pelagic species is due to meet on 4 September to consider the latest data and its implications for fisheries management.
Algoa Bay Conservation director Ronel Friend believes that waiting for the survey is dangerous for the penguins. The annual sardine migration through Algoa Bay is an important food source for African penguins nesting on St Croix. In 2017, the island had about 7,000 breeding pairs, while in 2023 the organisation estimated their number at about 700 pairs.
Another director of the organisation, Thomas Stone, stressed that the penguins have limited opportunities to seek food elsewhere. Conservationists proposed considering incentives for fishers to temporarily refrain from fishing over a wider area near St Croix, leaving more available food for the birds.
