Saving the African Penguin from extinction

The African Penguin, with its distinctive black and white plumage, is a cherished symbol of South Africa’s unique coastal ecosystem and an iconic attraction for both locals and tourists alike. Yet the species has already lost 97% of its population and could be extinct in the wild by 2035 if current trends persist. SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa, with the support of ocean conservation charity Blue Marine, are urging the South African government and the international community to take immediate action to save the African Penguin. 

Photograph by © Dan Callister www.dancallister.com

A primary cause of the African Penguin’s decline is a lack of available food due to competition from commercial purse-seine small pelagic fishing around its breeding colonies, which impacts the species’ survival and breeding success. And while there are existing no-take zones where fishing is prohibited to help restore fish populations that penguins feed on, primarily sardines and anchovies, new research by leading ornithologists has found that these zones are inadequate for penguin conservation. 

The study evaluated different no-take zone scenarios around six major penguin colonies that together support 76% of the global African Penguin population. Out of the six colonies – Dassen Island, Robben Island, Stony Point, Dyer Island, St. Croix Island and Bird Island – four restrict purse-seine fishing in less than 50% of the penguins’ core feeding areas, whilst posing minimal to no economic loss to the fisheries.

In the paper, scientists including BirdLife South Africa’s Dr Alistair McInnes and the University of Exeter’s Dr Richard Sherley, recommend alternative and achievable limits that provide more substantial benefits to penguins without causing disproportionately high costs to the purse-seine fishing industry.

Landmark litigation underway

The flightless bird is now at the threshold of being classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and breeding pairs have fallen below 10 000 for the first time in history. 

SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa have united to take legal action to enforce greater protection of the species. Launched by the Biodiversity Law Centre earlier this year, the two non-profit organisations are taking on the office of the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, challenging the “biologically meaningless” island closures to purse-seine fishing around key African Penguin colonies.

The legal action seeks to substitute the existing commercial fishery no-take zones with alternative zones that are better aligned to the African Penguins’ important feeding areas, while minimising the impacts on the purse-seine fishing industry. Whilst varying in extent, these zones would be effective around six major penguin colonies, to reduce competition and allow fish stocks to be replenished for penguin consumption. 

International action is needed

South African free diver and social activist Zandi Ndhlovu, who featured on the BBC’s 100 Women 2023 list, has launched an initiative to highlight the fragile plight of the African Penguin, encouraging those keen to support the birds to sign the OnlyOne petition created by SANCCOB, BirdLife South Africa and Blue Marine.

The African Penguin plays a vital role in our ecosystems both in the ocean and on land. This urgent ecological disaster also points to much broader concern for the environment, with penguins being a key indicator of the wider ecological health of our ocean. Their plight is a key step in the fight to preserve life on both land and sea. 

Ndhlovu has narrated a new campaign video to raise awareness of the alarming decline of the African Penguin. “When diving in the ocean around Cape Town’s Boulders Beach, the sight of penguins is always so beautiful and uplifting. To think of them being deprived of food, through the actions of humans, is heartbreaking. I urge the international community to sign our petition today to create a catalyst for immediate action – the South African government needs to take action now, before Africa’s only penguin is lost forever,” she said.

Watch the campaign video: Save African penguins campaign film on Vimeo

Sign the petition: Save African Penguins from Extinction (only.one)

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