The African penguin population is rapidly declining, with the penguin species losing around 8% of its numbers each year, potentially leading to extinction by 2035. On South Africa’s Betty’s Bay, as waves crash against the rocky shore, these penguins gather at the water’s edge, barking at each other. While they may appear charming as they waddle around, seabird conservationist Alistair McInnes is concerned, pointing out a penguin that appears underweight, suggesting a lack of fat reserves.
Dr. McInnes, who works with BirdLife South Africa, is part of a team tracking the diminishing penguin colonies. Over the past century, the African penguin population—found only in South Africa and Namibia—has dropped by 99%. If this trend continues, these penguins could face extinction within our lifetime. Given the urgency, BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) are suing the South African government for failing to adequately protect this endangered species.
Kate Handley from the Biodiversity Law Centre, representing these conservation groups, stresses that the government has a constitutional duty to prevent species from going extinct. She states that we cannot let a species disappear on our watch.
Most African penguins now live in seven colonies along Africa’s south-western coast, with only 8,750 breeding pairs left in South Africa. These penguins attract tourists from around the world, known for their distinct black stripes. Despite their apparent calmness as they sunbathe and tend to their eggs, they face significant risks from natural predators like seals and gulls, as well as human-induced threats.
The discontinuation of guano harvesting has impacted their habitats, while climate change contributes to extreme weather events, affecting penguin colonies. Moreover, the sardines and anchovies crucial to the penguins’ diet are also targeted by commercial fishing, leading to competition for resources. The South African government has attempted to limit purse seine fishing, which uses large nets to catch large schools of fish, but these efforts have not been sufficient to reverse the decline.
BirdLife South Africa and Sanccob believe the current fishing restrictions are inadequate and demand “biologically meaningful” closures to protect the penguins. However, these demands are met with resistance from the fishing industry. Shamera Daniels from the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association argues that fishing is just a small part of the problem, pointing to other factors like natural predation, oil and gas exploration, and noise pollution. The industry has already suffered financial losses and job cuts due to current restrictions, and further closures could worsen the economic impact.
Despite the complexity of the legal battle ahead, conservation lawyer Ms. Handley emphasizes that every step to save the African penguin is crucial, even if the chances of success are slim. While the court process unfolds, the future of the African penguin remains uncertain, and some fear that it might already be too late to save this iconic species.
