The Pretoria High Court ordered no-take zones for commercial fisheries around six African Penguin breeding sites, following a settlement achieved by BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB. This is a crucial measure to secure foraging areas for the critically endangered species, valid for the next decade, coinciding with predictions of extinction by 2035.
In a significant development for the critically endangered African Penguin, the Pretoria High Court has issued a ruling following a settlement between BirdLife South Africa, SANCCOB, and commercial sardine and anchovy fishers. The court’s order delineates no-take zones for these fisheries around six key African Penguin breeding colonies, ensuring vital foraging areas are preserved over the next decade, which is crucial for the species’ survival.
The court ruling provides a foundational step towards the recovery of the African Penguin, emphasizing the need for collaboration between conservationists and the fishing industry. It aims to implement scientifically informed limitations on fishing to mitigate threats to the penguin population. Continued monitoring and cooperation are critical for achieving long-term conservation goals, keeping in mind the urgency posed by the species’ anticipated extinction date of 2035.
Original Source: allafrica.com
