For a critically endangered species of penguin, a recent decision to remove fishing competition from its hunting and breeding grounds may prove to be the key to saving it.<\/p>\n
In the rich waters of South Africa\u2019s cape and Atlantic coastlines, 6 key breeding colonies of the African penguin are now no-go zones for commercial sardine and anchovy harvesting, according to a recent court order.<\/p>\n
Less than 10,000 breeding pairs of this penguin survive, and conservation groups hailed the court\u2019s decision that will protect the colony\u2019s feeding areas for at least a decade.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis order of court is a historic victory in the ongoing battle to save the critically endangered African Penguin from extinction in the wild,\u201d said BirdLife South Africa, one of the groups that had called for the protection.<\/p>\n
The protected areas include Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Dassen Island, further up South Africa\u2019s Atlantic coast, and the Stony Point Nature Reserve, make up two of the other 6 areas in total where penguin protections are kicking in.<\/p>\n
The court\u2019s decision followed weeks of \u201cexceptionally hard work and negotiations between the conservation NGOs and the commercial sardine and anchovy fishing industry,\u201d according to SANCCOB, one of those very NGOs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis case has been first and foremost about improving the chances of conserving Africa\u2019s only penguin species, but the outcome of these closures will also benefit other marine predator species, such as cape gannets, cape cormorants, and other socio-economically important fish that also eat sardine and anchovy, as well as the livelihoods of many who derive benefits from marine ecosystems,\u201d said BirdLife\u2019s Dr. Alistair McInnes.<\/p>\n
This article<\/a> by Andy Corbley was first published by Good News Network on 24 March 2025. Lead Image: African penguins on a Cape Coast beach \u2013 credit S Martin, CC 2.0., via Flickr. Wildlife continues to face threats, which include hunting, poaching, illegal trade in animal products, habitat loss as well as a rapidly changing climate.<\/p>\n Become a Wildlife Champion today by supporting our conservation partners<\/a> with a monthly donation as little as $1.<\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p>\nWhat you can do<\/h2>\n