PHV outbreak in South Africa may affect fish supplies
A pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) outbreak has caused mass fish deaths along the South African coast, threatening the supply of a key protein source for low-income households. Experts are debating whether to implement a fishing moratorium to allow the population to recover.
Why it matters
The ecological crisis poses a direct threat to food security and the livelihoods of those dependent on the fishing industry.
--> In South Africa, an outbreak of pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) has been linked to a mass fish die-off along the coast from Cape Town to Gqeberha. Thousands of dead sardines and pilchards have washed ashore, while specialists and industry representatives warn of a possible impact on the availability of canned fish, fishing and the marine ecosystem, TimesLIVE reports .
The first fish deaths were recorded in July in Saldanha, St Helena Bay and Gansbaai. A second wave later affected Hobie and Pollock beaches in Gqeberha and spread in the direction of Namibia. South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said this was the first confirmed detection of PHV in the country linked to a recorded mass sardine die-off.
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