A legal resolution has established no-fishing zones around six major African penguin breeding colonies in South Africa, barring sardine and anchovy fishing within 20 kilometers of vital habitats. This settlement addresses the decline of the species, which is on the brink of extinction, and highlights the need for continuous monitoring and broader conservation efforts.
A legal settlement was reached on Tuesday between South African conservationists and the fishing industry, establishing no-fishing zones to protect the critically endangered African penguin. Sardine and anchovy fishing will be prohibited in a 20-kilometer radius around key colonies at Robben Island and Bird Island, with additional, limited fishing closures around four other colonies as formalized by a court order.
The African penguin population has rapidly declined, decreasing by 7.9% annually, leaving fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remaining—down from one million a century ago. Conservationists believe that without intervention, the species could face extinction by 2035. Nicky Stander of SANCCOB emphasized the importance of this order while highlighting ongoing threats to the species’ survival.
Fishing industry representatives from the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association and Eastern and Southern Cape Pelagic Association remarked on the settlement as a beneficial compromise, effective for 10 years pending a review. They asserted that the belief that fishing near breeding sites is the primary cause of penguin population decline is inaccurate, expressing optimism for constructive resource use in addressing the decline’s root causes.
Environment Minister Dion George indicated that the agreement exemplifies successful collaboration between conservationists and the fishing sector. This settlement aligns with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) mission to protect biodiversity while maintaining a sustainable fishing industry.
BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB previously took legal action against George’s predecessor for not implementing necessary fishing closures. Bob Furness, professor emeritus at the University of Glasgow, noted approval for the closure, while also cautioning that these measures might not be sufficient if other pressures on the penguins remain high, such as climate change and predators.
Experts including Phil Trathan from Southampton University stressed the need for diligent monitoring of the new fishing restrictions and scrutiny of the sardine and anchovy fisheries to ensure the penguins’ long-term survival. The environment ministry has yet to answer queries regarding additional control measures for sardine fishing.
The recent agreement to implement no-fishing zones around key African penguin breeding colonies marks a significant step for their conservation efforts. This initiative addresses immediate fishing threats while emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration to tackle the multifaceted challenges endangering their survival. Continued monitoring of regulations and comprehensive studies on contributing factors are essential to ensure these measures effectively support penguin population recovery.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
