OR Tambo District Warns Coastal Communities Not to Eat Dead Sardines Washing Ashore

• OR Tambo District Municipality issued a public health warning after reports of dead and dying sardines appearing along Eastern Cape beaches
• The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment launched an investigation into the sardine deaths, with Pilchard Herpesvirus named as a leading suspect
• Residents were urged not to collect, eat, or feed the dead fish to pets, while health authorities confirmed commercially canned sardines remain safe to eat

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality issued an urgent public notice on 2 September 2026, warning Eastern Cape coastal communities to stay away from dead or dying sardines found on beaches or at sea.

The advisory, shared on the municipality's official Facebook page, carried a bold red "WARNING" stamp and came with a clear message: do not collect the fish, do not eat them, and do not feed them to pets. The warning covers communities across five local municipalities, including Nyandeni, Ingquza Hill, Port St Johns, Mhlontlo, and Ingquza Hill.

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What is killing the sardines?

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) confirmed it is investigating reports of sardine deaths along several parts of the South African coastline. Dead and dying fish have been spotted washing ashore near Gqeberha, floating offshore, and drifting into local harbour areas. Isolated sightings have also been reported in Bakoven, Tsitsikamma, and along the Namibian coast.

Pilchard Herpesvirus (PHV) is the leading suspect behind the earlier Western Cape mortality event, and scientists believe it may be linked to the Gqeberha strandings as well. Laboratory results are still pending. Namibian authorities are also providing samples for PHV testing.

An intergovernmental task team met on 26 August to coordinate surveillance, specimen collection, and public health messaging. The Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group is set to convene on 4 September 2026 to review findings and advise on whether emergency fisheries management adjustments are needed. A hydroacoustic survey planned for October and November 2026 will help determine the full scale of sardine stock losses.

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Importantly, the DFFE confirmed that PHV is not known to infect humans. The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications also confirmed that commercially produced canned sardines remain completely safe to eat.

OR Tambo Community Reacts

The post drew strong reactions from locals on the Facebook page, with several residents referencing a similar incident that unfolded in Gqeberha just days earlier:

@Nomali Zodidi said:

"Yaà many fish, looks like they're having a whale of a problem 😂"

@Siphiwo Fodina wrote:

"Last week it happened in Gqeberha."

@Sibongile Makopi asked:

"Where is Greenpeace Africa?"

@Yanga Ozingca NgobuMpondo commented (translated from Xhosa):

"They are done..."

@Thabile Mboza asked (translated from Xhosa):

"Where is this?"

Watch the public warning video that sparked community concern here.

More on SA's oceans and coastlines

• Briefly News recently reported on a community rescue effort that came together to save a rare stranded dolphin.
• An unexpected wildlife sighting near the Mozambique border left beachgoers stunned.
• A local celebrity's beach photoshoot had fans talking, though not everyone was convinced by what they saw.

Source: Briefly News