Following the recent discussion of Cochrane (2022) by the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group, some clarifications are given regarding the exploitation rates and relative depletion levels of South African sardine and anchovy. In particular, data available suggest that the west component of sardine has not been broadly consistent with the MSC default level of 75% of the spawning stock level that would be expected in the absence of fishing, having been below this level in most assessed years.