Mass sardine die-off pits survival of South Africa’s penguins against fishers’ livelihoods
A massive die-off of sardines along the South African coast, caused by pilchard herpesvirus, is threatening the survival of the endangered African penguin. Authorities are struggling to balance the ecological need to protect the penguins' food source with the economic impact of potential fishery closures.
Why it matters
This event highlights the tension between commercial fishing interests and the preservation of biodiversity in fragile marine ecosystems.
African penguins, which feed only on sardines and anchovies, are particularly at risk if the fish populations fall. African penguins, which feed only on sardines and anchovies, are particularly at risk if the fish populations fall. Seascape: the state of our oceans Fish Mass sardine die-off pits survival of South Africa’s penguins against fishers’ livelihoods Known as the ‘energy bars of the sea’ the fish are a key food source for many species, but closing fisheries to allow numbers to recover would cost millions
About this content Nick Dall Thu 24 Sep 2026 04.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google I t began on 28 July, when fishers near Saldanha Bay on the west coast of South Africa reported seeing dead sardines (also known as pilchards) floating at sea. Then, in early August, more dead sardines began washing up on beaches near Cape Town.
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