The DA has welcomed the proactive steps taken by CapeNature and the Western Cape government to save the African penguin from extinction.
Dave Bryant, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, welcomed the steps taken to ensure the preservation of the Stony Point, Dassen Island and Dyer Island African penguin colonies.
He said in a statement: “The African penguin is an endangered species that has recently seen a dramatic decline in breeding pairs. In total, 4 270 African penguin breeding pairs are under the jurisdiction of CapeNature across the three colonies.
“In a parliamentary reply, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning revealed that CapeNature is taking steps that align to the objectives and actions outlined in the African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan, including maintaining a partnership with Sanccob in the management of the colony as it relates to injured or oiled seabirds, inclusive of African penguin egg and chick rescue at times of extreme weather incidents.
“It also includes collection of surveillance and monitoring data of the African penguin and other breeding seabirds. This includes surveillance and monitoring of breeding success, predation, and moult,” Bryant added.
“And it includes preparedness to ensure a clear and implementable response to minimise and remedy the impacts of catastrophic events: oil spill and extreme weather events (the development of a site-specific oil spill response plan in process and flood mitigation actions being implemented during extreme weather).
“Annual penguin awareness events are implemented on site, for example, Penguin Palooza.”
CapeNature revealed that it was, in partnership with BirdlifeSA and Sanccob, in the process of evaluating the establishment of a land based African penguin breeding colony linked to the eastward shift of small pelagic fish populations, at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
“The DA commends CapeNature on their efforts to save the African penguin, which is an important part of the Western Cape’s natural heritage. We must ensure that every reasonable measure is used to bring the species back from the edge of extinction, and CapeNature has an effective plan to ensure the sustainability of the colonies under their care,” Bryant said.
Weekend Argus