# The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is investigating reports of dead and dying sardines along the Western Cape coast from Saldanha Bay to Gansbaai. Scientists have collected samples for testing and deployed observers to assess the scale of the fish deaths. While a harmful algal bloom has been detected in Saldanha Bay, no cause has been confirmed. Spokesperson Zolile Nqayi urges the public not to collect, handle, or eat dead or dying fish until the investigation is complete.
Department investigates mass sardine deaths along Western Cape coast