The Eastern and Southern Cape Pelagic Association (ESPA) has expressed concern over Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy’s fishing ban announcement made on Friday.
The ban aims to protect the declining African penguin population. News24 reported that ‘the species has decreased from more than a million breeding pairs to just about 10 000 pairs over the last century.
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The ban will be enforced around St Croix Island, home to the biggest African penguin colony in the world, Bird Island, as well as Dassen Island, Robben Island, Stony Point and Dyer Island.
It will be implemented for ten years with a six-year review and data collection, specifically targeting sardine and anchovy fishing.
Creecy said competition for food was thought to be one among a set of pressures contributing to the decline of the African penguin population.
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Mohamed Riedau de Maine, the chairperson of the ESPA, said that the fishing industry tried to negotiate a compromise with environmental organisations concerning fishing limitations.
However, disagreements persisted, with the industry proposing a 40% closure around the islands while environmental organisations wanted 100% closures.
De Maine added that the current closures around St Croix Island were 73%, while around Bird Island, they were approximately 93%.
If no agreement is reached over the next few weeks or months across these sectors, the current interim limitations will continue until the end of the 2033 fishing season.
The ban could negatively impact the local economy and lead to job losses. Conservationists believe, however, that it will positively impact the penguin population.
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Picture: Joel Herzog / Unsplash