A legal settlement has established no-fishing zones around key African penguin breeding colonies in South Africa, addressing concerns of population decline due to commercial fishing in the area. Sardine and anchovy fishing will be prohibited within 20 kilometers of sites like Robben Island. Conservationists and fishing industry groups have agreed to a compromise, with hopes for monitoring these actions’ effectiveness in preserving the species.
A significant breakthrough for the critically endangered African penguin occurred when South African conservationists and fishing industry representatives formally agreed to implement no-fishing zones surrounding six crucial breeding colonies. Sardine and anchovy fishing will be prohibited within a 20-kilometer radius around key sites such as Robben Island and Bird Island, with additional restrictions around four other colonies, as outlined in a recent court order.
This legal settlement follows years of contention regarding the impact of commercial fishing on the declining African penguin population. Current estimates suggest that if the downward trend continues—averaging a loss of 7.9% annually—the species could be extinct by 2035, with breeding pairs dwindling to under 10,000, compared to over 1 million a century ago.
Nicky Stander from the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating, “Today’s order is a significant step forward in our fight to save the African Penguin from extinction… our journey is far from over.” In support of the settlement, two fishing organizations acknowledged the compromise aimed at resolving ongoing disputes and noted the necessity of scientific investigation into the penguin population’s decline.
The South African Minister of Environment, Dion George, highlighted the importance of collaboration between industries and conservationists, reflecting on the agreement’s alignment with biodiversity preservation and sustainable fishing practices. This settlement represents a response to the legal challenges faced by environmental groups advocating for effective protective measures around the penguin colonies.
Notably, Bob Furness, an emeritus professor at the University of Glasgow and a member of an expert panel recommending fishery closures, cautioned that while these measures are positive, other pressures such as climate change and predatory threats must also be addressed to truly benefit the penguin population. Monitoring of the fishing closures will be essential, as emphasized by Phil Trathan from Southampton University, who reiterated the need for continued focus on the industrial fishing practices affecting sardine and anchovy stocks.
The recent legal agreement regarding no-fishing zones off South Africa marks an important advance in efforts to protect the endangered African penguin. While the prohibition of fishing around crucial breeding sites reflects a successful compromise between conservationists and the fishing industry, ongoing threats to the species necessitate consistent monitoring and broader environmental strategies. Collaboration amongst various stakeholders will be pivotal in ensuring the survival of the African penguin beyond these immediate measures.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
