Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
In the news
SA’s rhinos population rises by nearly 5% in 2025 but 230 rhinos killed by poachers this year
South Africa's rhino population grew by nearly 5% in 2025 amid expanding conservation and translocation efforts, though 230 rhinos were killed by poachers in the first eight…
SA’s leopard population remains uncertain as new strategy weighs conservation and hunting
South Africa’s new draft leopard conservation strategy aims to balance preservation with cultural use and hunting, despite lacking reliable data on how many leopards actually…
As Europe retreats on pesticides, South Africa has a choice
As the European Union reconsiders pesticide safeguards, South Africa has a crucial window to reform its nearly 80-year-old regulatory framework and protect public health and…
Sardine fishery faces possible restrictions as PHV mortality spreads
South Africa’s sardine fishery may face precautionary catch limits as the government investigates widespread sardine deaths linked to pilchard herpesvirus across 2,600km of…
Deadly cost of Sasol's Secunda pollution
A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reveals that emissions from Sasol's Secunda coal-to-liquids complex contribute to an estimated 1,000 deaths and R19…
A sea of uncertainty
A spreading sardine mortality event linked to pilchard herpesvirus has hit South Africa and Namibia, raising alarms over total biomass loss, fishery limits, and the survival of…
Suspected wildlife syndicate linked to 468 parrot eggs seized at OR Tambo
A suspected wildlife trafficking syndicate has been linked to the smuggling of 468 parrot eggs through OR Tambo International Airport following the arrest of two Thai nationals.
The bluebuck, rebuilt
More than two centuries after the bluebuck vanished from the Western Cape, biotech firm Colossal Biosciences is attempting to genetically reconstruct the extinct antelope.…
Canned sardines safe to eat despite pilchard herpesvirus, authorities say
South African authorities confirm commercially canned sardines remain safe to eat despite the detection of pilchard herpesvirus in wild populations, but warn against collecting…
Sardine deaths along Cape coast: PHV detected as Koeberg Unit 1 cuts power
Pilchard herpesvirus is emerging as the prime suspect in the mass mortality of sardines along the Cape coast, an incident that prompted beach clean-ups and forced Eskom's Koeberg…
Sardine deaths: high levels of pilchard herpesvirus found in South African fish
High levels of pilchard herpesvirus have been found in sardines involved in South Africa’s extensive mortality event, with the virus detected in all 15 fish in an initial…
Sasol halts answers to MPs after NPA raids Secunda operations with search warrants
A long-running criminal investigation into allegations that Sasol unlawfully polluted the Vaal River system took a dramatic new turn this week when National Prosecuting Authority…
A failed plastic levy: The need for a total an on single-use plastic bags
South Africa's 22-year-old plastic levy has failed to curb the 8 billion single-use plastic bags consumed annually, leading to severe environmental and health impacts. This…
DFFE weighing N2 Wild Coast compliance notice eight months after inspection
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is weighing a compliance notice against Sanral after inspectors found serious environmental non-compliance,…
Illegal gillnetting in South Africa: New reporting app targets growing threat to rivers and estuaries
Conservationists and law enforcement agencies in South Africa are launching a new Gillnet Reporting App to combat the rising problem of illegal gillnetting in rivers and…