Environment. Action to Halt Decline of African Penguin

The endangered African penguin has the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in a flap. For good reason as the species has declined by over 60% in the last 30 years and by over 50% in its three most recent generations.

It appears the main reason is the lack of available food (sardines) which leads to mortality and other predators such as Cape fur seals, kelp gulls and feral cats and dogs.

An experimental no-go fishing zone around Robben Island to protect the colonies of African penguin there, proved to successfully aid the recovery of the population. This according to a recent paper published by a UCT graduate.

Seemingly the Department’s own research coincides with this finding. It has given impetus to updating and continuing the work initiated in the initial Plan published in 2013.

Informing Marine Conservation. Penguin Population Research