BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB won a significant court ruling to protect the critically endangered African Penguin by creating no-take zones around key breeding areas, securing foraging habitats for the next ten years. The order mandates the DFFE to implement fishery closures, vital for reversing the penguin population’s decline as concerns over extinction grow by 2035.
In a crucial development for the critically endangered African Penguin, BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB have achieved a significant victory at the Pretoria High Court. The court issued an order for the establishment of no-take zones around six key breeding colonies of African Penguins, which will prevent commercial sardine and anchovy fishing in these important foraging areas. This settlement, negotiated after extensive discussions, aims to assist in preventing the species from reaching extinction within a decade.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) is required to implement these closures within two weeks by modifying the permits for commercial fishers. These permit conditions will be renewed annually for the next ten years, coinciding with crucial assessments leading up to 2035 when the African Penguin could face extinction in the wild. Following a steep decline in breeding pairs from 15,187 in 2018 to approximately 8,750 by the end of 2023, this legal action was deemed essential for the penguin population’s survival.
During ongoing discussions, conservation organizations opted for litigation after six years of disagreements regarding the penguin population’s status and the impact of fishing practices. The DFFE will now oversee the implementation of the closures, which were informed by recommendations from an Expert Panel advising on how to effectively manage these critical habitats. The court order requires year-round closures to ensure the protection of African Penguin foraging areas.
The order delineates specific closures, such as the extended 20km area around Robben Island aimed at reversing declines in the local penguin population. Other designated areas include a protective zone around Dassen Island, which will remain effective due to its demonstrated importance for penguins and the interests of the commercial fishing sector.
The Southern Cape has also seen a successful closure at Stony Point, safeguarding a significant portion of the penguin colony’s preferred foraging region. Notably, the existing closure surrounding Dyer Island remains, although it permits fishing for smaller vessels in some designated areas. In the Eastern Cape, a 20km closure will protect Bird Island and St Croix Island, where penguin populations face threats from both commercial fishing and local development.
Kate Handley from the Biodiversity Law Centre emphasized that this order signifies progress in reconciling conservation efforts with industry interests, enhancing safeguards for the African Penguin. Dr. Alistair McInnes from BirdLife South Africa underlined that the closures would benefit other marine species, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Nicky Stander from SANCCOB highlighted the collaborative effort in achieving this legal order while acknowledging ongoing challenges faced by the African Penguin population.
The settlement resulting from the court order serves as a critical step towards safeguarding the African Penguin from extinction. By establishing no-take zones around vital breeding areas, this action aims not only to improve the penguin population’s chances of survival but also contributes to the overall health of marine ecosystems in South Africa. The collaborative efforts of conservation NGOs and governmental bodies are essential in this ongoing fight against the threats to biodiversity.
Original Source: allafrica.com
