By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has expressed its support for a historic settlement agreement reached in principle between the fishing industry and conservation organisations to establish critical island closures to protect South Africa’s critically endangered African Penguin populations.
This settlement, independently reached by the parties, reflects a science-based, cooperative effort to implement effective closures around key penguin breeding islands.
The agreed island closures include Dassen Island and Dyer Island, which will be subject to interim closures as per current permit conditions.
Further, there will be a 20 km closure around Robben Island, which is consistent with the Island Closure Experiment. At Bird Island, there will be a 20 km closure radius from the lighthouse, as implemented during the Island Closure Experiment.
The Stony Point island closure has been agreed and delineated and is applicable to all fishing vessels. Similarly, the closure area around St Croix Island has also been delineated.
“This agreement delivers on the DFFE’s vision of protecting our penguins and preserving our biodiversity, while ensuring the sustainability of our fishing industry,” says Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George.
The DFFE has consistently advocated for cooperation between the fishing industry and conservation groups to address the decline of penguin populations while supporting sustainable livelihoods, George says.
The settlement is a significant victory for conservation and sustainable development and is a testament to what can be achieved when industries and conservationists unite for a common cause, he adds.
The department is eager to implement this agreement between the fishing industry and BirdLife South Africa and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), which reflects the outcome the department has sought from the outset and aligns with its long-standing vision for collaborative conservation.
BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB had not responded publicly to George’s statement at the time of publication.
The DFFE will work closely with all parties to ensure this historic agreement becomes an order of the court and will ensure the successful implementation of the agreed closures and will support efforts to monitor their impact on penguin populations.
“The DFFE commends the stakeholders for their dedication in reaching this agreement, which sets a powerful precedent for enviromental collaboration.
“We extend our gratitude to all parties for embracing the settlement process. Together, we are building a future where conservation and industry thrive in harmony, “says George.