Historic Court Ruling Secures Vital Protections for African Penguins
In a historic ruling, BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB secured crucial protections for the critically endangered African Penguin through a Pretoria High Court order, creating no-take zones around six key breeding colonies for the next ten years. This initiative aims to restore penguin habitats and counteract their declining population caused by overfishing. The successful outcome signals hope for the species’ survival amidst ongoing ecological challenges.
On March 18, 2025, BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB achieved a landmark victory for the African Penguin when the Pretoria High Court enacted a settlement agreement with sardine and anchovy fishers, subsequently endorsed by the State. This order establishes no-take zones surrounding six critical breeding colonies to protect the penguins’ foraging areas across the west coast, southern Cape, and Algoa Bay regions, vital for the species’ survival as it faces extinction.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) is charged with implementing these closures within two weeks by modifying fishing permit conditions for a decade, extending until 2035, the expected critical year for African Penguin survival. The decision comes after the population of breeding pairs dwindled from 15,187 in 2018 to approximately 8,750 in 2023, compelling the NGOs to pursue legal action to ensure the Minister upholds their responsibilities to the species.
Upon reaching a settlement just before the court hearing, the agreement was transformed into a court order detailing specific closures lasting ten years, with a scientific review after six years. This includes year-round protections during fishing seasons, aligning with recommendations from an Expert Panel formed to assess penguin habitats, ensuring these closures consider penguin life cycles and ecological needs.
The plan includes both large-scale and localized closures along various coasts to support African Penguin populations. The west coast features a significant closure around Dassen Island, while an expanded 20km closure encompasses Robben Island, pivotal for preserving breeding success and reversing population declines. Similarly, the Southern Cape has protections around Stony Point and Dyer Island, crucial regions for foraging amid high fishing pressures.
In the Eastern Cape, Bird Island and St Croix Island have their foraging areas safeguarded, counteracting threats from competition with fisheries and environmental stresses. All closures aim to foster sustainable fishing practices while protecting integral marine ecosystems.
Ecological stakeholders herald the decision as a major stride towards saving the African Penguin and supporting broader marine biodiversity. The order reflects years of concerted effort from conservation groups, emphasizing responsible fishery management tied to the health of marine habitats. The engaged individuals and organizations aim to continue advocating scientific findings and collaborative approaches to enhance penguin conservation and secure marine ecosystems for future generations.
The recent court ruling is a crucial step towards safeguarding the critically endangered African Penguin, establishing no-take zones to protect vital foraging habitats for the next decade. It follows a history of declining populations and concerns over fishing practices impacting these birds. The enforcement of this order represents a significant commitment to biodiversity protection and responsible marine management. Continuing collaboration among conservation groups, government bodies, and the fishing industry is essential to ensure lasting progress in the fight against extinction and to elevate the health of South Africa’s marine ecosystems.
Original Source: allafrica.com
