A South African judicial order has imposed a commercial fishing ban in key breeding colonies of African penguins, a critically endangered species.
The measure, celebrated by bird conservation groups, aims to ensure food availability and reduce threats that have led to the alarming decline in their population.
## Protection of key colonies of African penguins
The ban, which will be in effect for at least 10 years, affects the waters around six breeding colonies, including:
– Robben Island, famous for housing the prison where Nelson Mandela was held.
– Dassen Island, located further north along the South African Atlantic coast.
– Stony Point Nature Reserve, another essential refuge for the species.
BirdLife South Africa, one of the driving forces behind the measure, described the order as a “historic victory” in the fight to save the African penguin.
## A species in critical danger
In October 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the African penguin critically endangered, noting that 97% of the population has already been lost.
If the decline continues at its current rate, experts warn that the species could become extinct in the wild by 2035.
## The importance of food for survival
Causes of the population decline include oil spills and human disturbances, but the primary threat factor is food scarcity, especially sardines and anchovies. Without enough food, penguins abandon reproduction, worsening the crisis.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of breeding pairs dropped from 15,100 to 8,750, according to BirdLife South Africa. The fishing ban aims to reverse this trend and ensure the species’ recovery.
## Implementation of the ban
The judicial order compels the Minister of Environment to enforce the closure of the six breeding areas within two weeks, ensuring these areas remain free from commercial fishing for the next decade.
This decision represents a crucial step in protecting African penguins and reinforces efforts to ensure the sustainability of their ecosystems.
