Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, recently appointed an Expert Review Panel to advise on managing the interactions between the small pelagic (anchovy and sardines) fishery, and the conservation of African penguins.
According to departmental spokesperson, Albi Modise, in September 2022, the department announced the interim closure of some areas around major penguin colonies along the South African coastline to commercial fishing for anchovy and sardine between September 2022 and January 2023.
This was as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the survival of the species while balancing ecological and socio-economic interests.
“The limitation on fishing has been extended to mid-April 2023, and further decisions on the matter will be made depending on the work schedule of the Expert Review Panel. The Expert Review Panel will review all related science outputs over recent years, including the outcomes of the island closure experiment undertaken by the department over the last decade.
“The terms of reference for the science review and the panel members were established in consultation with the representatives from the fishing and bird conservation sectors. The panel will advise the department on the appropriateness and value of fishing limitations for penguin trends,” said Modise.
“This is a key issue as the sardine stock in South African waters remains at low levels. Competition for food is thought to be among one of the pressures contributing to the decline of African penguin populations.
“Other pressures include shipping traffic with its associated noise and vibrations, and pollution and degradation of suitable nesting habitats through historical removal of guano and coastal, commercial, and residential developments,” he added.
The international panel will, among others, explore the value of island closures in providing meaningful benefits to penguins and advise on further science and monitoring methods.
