25 April is “celebrated” as World Penguin Day, a day to raise awareness about penguins. Sadly, for the African penguin if we do not act now, we will in future be commemorating the day.
The African penguin population is crashing.
On Dyer Island the numbers dropped from
36 000 pairs in 1976 to 903 pairs in 2023.
The South African population declined from 70,000 pairs in 1978/1979 to 8,750 pairs in 2023.
What do we lose if the African penguin disappear from our wild seascape?
African penguins play big role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. They are ocean fertilisers. Penguins bring large amounts of nutrients from the ocean to their colonies. The areas around colonies are a great place for fish nurseries.
We have created a perfect storm, a collapsed penguin population because of a range of historic human impacts. A very low sardine and anchovy biomass is making it very difficult for penguins to find food. During the breeding season they now have to swim large distances to find food to feed their chicks timely and sustainably. African penguin chicks, like all growing children when they are hungry, can be demanding. An energy sapping exercise for all parents.
Bottomline – the large decreases in the African penguin population in South Africa will have detrimental consequences for ecosystem functioning. This will impact all of us, not just the penguins.
Can we weather this storm? Responsible fisheries should promote protection of living aquatic resources and their environments and coastal areas. An adaptive area closure (around breeding islands) can help to turn the situation around.
We stand to lose far more than an iconic, cute beach waddling, black & white flightless bird.
We will continue to work alongside CapeNature, the management authority for Dyer Island to support their efforts to preserve not only the African penguin but the amazing biodiversity of this very special area.
The APSS would not be able to care for penguins if we did not have a platoon of passionate penguin people. We have a small, dedicated staff. A team of penguin volunteers. Project partners like Marine Dynamics & Dyer Island Cruises that provide valuable education opportunities and the best penguin taxi service imaginable. All weaved together into a strong penguin support network.
