A High Court ruling in South Africa has secured critical foraging areas for the nation’s African Penguins through a settlement that resulted in the establishment of no-take zones around six breeding colonies. The decision aims to prevent the species from facing extinction by 2035, as it is projected they could disappear from the wild within a generation without intervention.
The Pretoria High Court has granted a crucial victory for South Africa’s Critically Endangered African Penguins through a settlement between BirdLife South Africa, SANCCOB, and commercial sardine and anchovy fishers. This agreement, endorsed by the State, entails the establishment of no-take zones around six significant penguin breeding colonies. These closures are designed to provide vital foraging areas essential for the conservation of the species, aimed at reversing their alarming decline toward extinction.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is tasked with implementing these closures within two weeks, which affect commercial sardine and anchovy fishers over the next decade. This measure is urgent, as scientists project that without immediate intervention, African Penguins may face extinction in the wild by 2035, merely a generation away.
After years of dwindling penguin populations exacerbated by fishing over the past six years, conservation organizations sought legal recourse in 2024. The Minister’s prior decisions were successfully contested, set aside by this court order, which clearly maps out the designated closures intended to protect penguin foraging areas year-round
The court order reinforces the recommendations from an Expert Panel, emphasizing the need for closures that can be monitored and evaluated. These closures are strategically located to protect penguin populations across key regions like the west coast, Southern Cape, and Eastern Cape, while taking various environmental threats into account.
The agreement also maintains existing closures, such as the sizable no-take zone around Dassen Island and a new 20 km closure around Robben Island, both crucial for slowing down penguin population declines. In the Southern Cape, significant foraging zones at Stony Point and around Dyer Island are being protected, crucial for sustaining the local penguin colonies.
Furthermore, in the Eastern Cape, Bird Island will see a 20 km closure to minimize fishing impacts, while St Croix Island benefits from its own protective measures against commercial pressures. Key stakeholders view these regulations as necessary for ensuring the survival of African Penguins against increasing anthropogenic threats.
Kate Handley, from the Biodiversity Law Centre, emphasized the importance of full implementation of this court order, stating it is crucial for the survival of this species and marine ecosystem health for future generations. Dr. Alistair McInnes from BirdLife South Africa remarked that these closures would also benefit other marine predators, while Nicky Stander from SANCCOB noted the need for continuous monitoring and collaborative efforts to protect African Penguins, acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face.
The recent High Court ruling signifies a vital step forward for the conservation of African Penguins in South Africa, cementing the establishment of no-take zones to secure their foraging habitats. The implementation of these protective measures within the next decade aims to avert extinction risks outlined by scientists. Continuous monitoring and collaboration among conservation authorities and the commercial fishing industry will be essential to ensuring the success of these efforts in fostering a sustainable future for African Penguins and their ecosystem.
Original Source: allafrica.com
