Latest news with #SouthernAfricanFoundationfortheConservationofCoastalBirds
Time Out
12-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
Cape Town dog owners urged to be careful around penguins
'Irresponsible dog walkers add to the demise of the Critically Endangered African Penguin!' That's the headline of an urgent appeal by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), requesting that those who walk their dogs near colonies of seabirds take more care to ensure the safety of these precious creatures. Over the past few years, a number of incidents have been documented of off-leash dogs attacking penguins and other seabirds, resulting in serious injury, trauma and sometimes death. The worst incident of the lot took place in 2022 in Simon's Town, where two dogs from nearby homes attacked and killed 19 African Penguins. It was a truly devastating time for conservation efforts. In a recent statement released by SANCCOB, the importance of controlling your dogs around seabirds was once again driven home, with the non-profit organisation calling any such attacks an "owner problem", not a 'dog problem'. "One of the main challenges with mainland seabird colonies is the additional threats posed by humans and land-based predators, including domestic dogs. In past years, African Penguins have been attacked by unleashed dogs resulting in severe trauma and even death. This is not a 'dog problem', it is an owner problem who disregards by-laws and dog-owner responsibility," SANCCOB insists. "The African Penguin's rapidly declining population has been well-documented, owing to the numerous and complex threats facing the iconic species. We are in a race against time to conserve the species and prevent their impending extinction; stakeholders are working tirelessly to mitigate threats to African Penguins, but we need the public to play their part, too. "We urge dog-owners to be responsible when walking their best fur-friends near seabird colonies." What to do if you see an injured seabird If you come across an injured seabird, please contact SANCCOB on 021 557 6155 during working hours and on 078 638 3731 after hours and on weekends. SANCCOB is a 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre. SANCCOB advises that you always approach an injured seabird with caution, as species such as gannets and penguins have sharp beaks which could cause you harm. 'Have with you a towel or blanket and wear protection over your hands and eyes. Gently throw the towel or blanket over the bird to catch it, ensuring that the bird is able to breathe. Place the bird in a large box if you have one, after first ensuring that there are holes for air. Keep the bird in a warm quiet place until help arrives,' SANCCOB explains. How to support SANCCOB click here.
Eyewitness News
26-04-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Conservationists say efforts to protect SA's endangered penguin population are far from over
JOHANNESBURG - Although World Penguin Day has passed, conservationists said efforts to protect South Africa's endangered penguin population are far from over. BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds ) have pushed for stronger legal protections, leading to the creation of new no-fishing zones around six key penguin colonies. These include Dassen Island, Robben Island, Stony Point, Dyer Island, St Croix Island, and Bird Island, which together are home to 76% of the country's African penguin population. Spokesperson for the Two Oceans Aquarium Shanté Rutgers said ongoing action is needed to preserve and protect the African penguins, which are only found on the continent's coast. 'Initiatives from the aquarium to oneself is to just be accountable for what you're doing. As a person, as a human being, we have a major effect on the environment and so everything that we do will impact what is happening out in the wild.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New ruling offers chance at survival for decimated species: 'A significant step forward'
The endangered African penguin has a renewed hope of survival thanks to a March 18 ruling limiting fishing around its breeding colonies, the Guardian reported. There were 1 million breeding pairs of African penguins in the wild 100 years ago. Now, there are fewer than 10,000. The species has been declining at an average of 7.9% yearly and could become extinct by 2035 without intervention. South African conservationists and the fishing industry have disagreed for years about the role of fishing in the penguins' decline. The area around Robben and Bird Islands, where the penguins nest, has been used for sardine and anchovy fishing for many years. Now, thanks to a judicial ruling, a no-fishing zone extending for 12 miles around each island will protect the birds from interference, while smaller protected zones have been established around secondary sites important to the penguins. "Today's order is a significant step forward in our fight to save the African Penguin from extinction," said Nicky Stander, head of conservation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, per the Guardian. "However, while we celebrate today's success, we remain acutely aware that our journey is far from over. The threats facing the African penguin are complex and ongoing." Indeed, fishing isn't the only issue impacting penguin populations. The Earth's rising temperature, land predators, and noise pollution all play a part. African penguins also face physical pollution including plastic trash and other forms of waste — like this penguin that found a disposable vape in its environment. Still, the new fishing restrictions will help, and they could clarify just how large a role the industry plays in the African penguin's decline. Two fishing industry groups, the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association and the Eastern and Southern Cape Pelagic Association, were pleased with the chance to prove their activities are not the issue, the Guardian reported. "The perception that the fishing industry (or that fishing near to breeding sites) is the primary cause of the decline in the penguin population is a false one," they said. "We are especially pleased that this settlement will now allow scarce resources to be used constructively to scientifically determine the principal factors causing the decline in the penguin population and to ameliorate those where possible," the statement continued. The restriction will apply for 10 years, subject to a review at the six-year mark. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Hope for endangered penguins as no-fishing zones agreed off South Africa
Efforts to stop the critically endangered African penguin from going extinct took a step forward on Tuesday, after South African conservationists and fishing industry groups reached a legal settlement on no-fishing zones around six of the penguins' major breeding colonies. Sardine and anchovy fishing will not be allowed for 20km around the penguin colony off Cape Town on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and Bird Island, across the bay from Gqeberha, also known as Port Elizabeth. There will be more limited closures around four other colonies, according to a court order formalising the agreement. Conservationists and the fishing industry had been at loggerheads for years over how much commercial fishing contributed to the African penguin population's precipitous decline and to what extent fishing restrictions would arrest the fall. African penguins are threatened with extinction by 2035 if their population continues falling at the current rate of 7.9% a year. There are now fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs. A century ago there were 1 million. Nicky Stander, head of conservation at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) said: 'Today's order is a significant step forward in our fight to save the African Penguin from extinction… However, while we celebrate today's success, we remain acutely aware that our journey is far from over. The threats facing the African Penguin are complex and ongoing.' Two fishing industry groups, the South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association and the Eastern and Southern Cape Pelagic Association, welcomed the 'middle of the road compromise', which will apply for 10 years, subject to review after six years. They said: 'The perception that the fishing industry (or that fishing near to breeding sites) is the primary cause of the decline in the penguin population is a false one … We are especially pleased that this settlement will now allow scarce resources to be used constructively to scientifically determine the principal factors causing the decline in the penguin population and to ameliorate those where possible.' South Africa's environment minister, Dion George, said: 'This agreement is a testament to what can be achieved when industries and conservationists unite for a common cause. It delivers on the DFFE's vision of protecting our penguins and preserving our biodiversity, while ensuring the sustainability of our fishing industry.' Two NGOs – BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB - had taken George's predecessor, Barbara Creecy, to court in May 2024, arguing she had failed to implement 'biologically meaningful [fishing] closures' around the six penguin colonies, which are home to 76% of the bird's population. George had sought an out-of-court settlement after taking office in July. 'It is good to hear that the island closures have been agreed at last,' said Bob Furness, a University of Glasgow emeritus professor, who was part of an independent panel that in 2023 recommended the fishing closures but said the conservation benefits would be 'small'. 'These alone may not be sufficient if penguins continue to be under pressure from many factors and in particular if sardine total stock biomass remains vulnerable to overexploitation at low stock abundances.' Other factors affecting the penguin population include the climate crisis, land predators and noise pollution from ship-to-ship refuelling near Gqeberha. The fishing closures now needed to be monitored, said Phil Trathan, a visiting professor at Southampton University, who was also part of the expert panel: 'It is now critical that the focus now turn to examining the industrial fisheries for sardine and anchovy.' The environment ministry did not answer questions about whether it was considering further sardine fishing control measures.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Conservationists in Valentine's Day plea to protect ‘mating for life' penguins
Conservationists are making a Valentine's Day plea to protect African penguins that can mate for life. The birds, which are Africa's only native penguin species, are on track to go extinct in the wild within the next decade because of climate threats and dwindling food sources. In an effort to save the species, researchers have turned to penguin decoys – skilfully crafted concrete replicas paired with recorded penguin calls. These are used to lure African penguins into safer breeding grounds along South Africa's coastline, encouraging the birds to establish new colonies in food-rich areas protected from human disturbance and predators. Decoys at De Hoop Nature Reserve, where conservationists have created a land-predator-free zone, are helping to kickstart a new penguin colony where they can breed and raise their young safely. The strategy, which has been successful for other seabird species such as the Atlantic puffin in the US, was described as a 'lifeline' for African penguins. Christina Hagen, Pamela Isdell fellow of penguin conservation at BirdLife South Africa, said: 'By creating a safe space for them to breed in an area with a better food supply, we are actively working to counter one of the biggest threats to their survival. 'While the process takes time and comes with challenges, the fact that wild African penguins have already started breeding here is an incredibly positive sign. 'This project is a proof of concept that could inform future conservation efforts in other regions where penguins are struggling due to shifting fish stocks.' While some penguins mate for life, others 'divorce' after tough breeding seasons and go on to choose a new mate in hope of better success. But conservationists say that breaking up comes with challenges as new couples struggle with nest-building, chick-rearing and finding food, leading to lower reproductive success. African penguins are becoming frequently too hungry to focus on breeding as climate change and competition for fish decimates their primary food sources of sardines and anchovies. There are now fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs left, according to experts. It comes as green groups including BirdLife South Africa, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and the Blue Marine Foundation are calling on the South African government to take immediate action by establishing effective no-take zones around the six key African penguin colonies. These zones would restrict commercial fishing, ensuring there is enough food for penguins to survive and thrive. Joanna Coumbe, director of communications at the Blue Marine Foundation, said: 'With penguins already struggling to find enough fish, their love stories could soon become history. 'This Valentine's Day, let's not just celebrate love, let's fight to protect it.' Ms Coumbe called on the public to sign the petition urging the South African government to act to protect the birds. Nicky Stander, head of conservation at the SANCCOB, said: 'Penguins can't live on love alone, they need food. 'We need immediate, science-based action to ensure African penguins don't become just another love story lost to extinction.' The organisation is offering a two-for-one adoption special that directly supports rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
