SA Court Bans Commercial Fishing Near African Penguin Breeding Sites for a Decade

In a landmark ruling, a South African court has prohibited commercial fishing in key breeding areas of the endangered African penguin for at least 10 years. The Pretoria High Court issued the order on Tuesday, marking a significant victory for conservationists who have been advocating for stronger protections for the species.

The ruling restricts sardine and anchovy fishing around six crucial breeding sites, including Robben Island, situated approximately 10 kilometers off Cape Town. The island, widely known for its historic prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years, is home to one of the largest African penguin colonies. Other protected zones include Dassen Island on the Atlantic coast and the Stony Point nature reserve.

BirdLife South Africa, one of the organizations behind the legal challenge, hailed the decision as a critical step in preventing the extinction of the African penguin. The species was officially classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in October 2024.

The African penguin population has plummeted by 97% over the years, with experts warning that if current trends continue, the species could disappear from the wild by 2035. While oil spills and human disturbances contribute to their decline, conservationists point to food scarcity as the biggest threat. Without an adequate supply of sardines and anchovies, penguins struggle to breed, further shrinking their numbers.

Statistics from BirdLife South Africa reveal that the number of breeding pairs has declined dramatically, from more than 15,100 in 2018 to approximately 8,750 by the end of 2023.

The court’s ruling requires the environment minister to enforce the fishing bans at all six breeding sites within two weeks. Conservation groups have welcomed the move, hoping it will allow the African penguin population to recover and secure the species’ future.

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Sourced:African Insider