Africa: Can African Penguins Be Brought Back From the Brink? Better Designed No-Fishing Zones Could Help

AllAfrica

February 24, 2026

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South Africa is home to 88% of the world's African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), a species classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Over the past three decades, their population has plummeted by nearly 78%, largely due to food shortages, oil spills, and environmental shifts caused by climate change. The penguins' primary diet consists of anchovy and sardine, which have become harder to find as a result of overfishing and changes in ocean conditions. These challenges have led to declining chick survival rates and an ongoing population collapse. In a significant step toward conservation, a court ruling supported the establishment of improved no-fishing zones around key breeding colonies, such as Robben Island, where 30% of all African penguins breed. This measure aims to protect their foraging grounds, which have been strained by competition with purse-seine fishing operations. By restricting fishing within a 20km radius of these areas, the ruling seeks to reduce food shortages and support the species' recovery. Research conducted by scientists from institutions including the University of St Andrews, University of Exeter, and BirdLife South Africa has focused on understanding the spatial overlap between penguins and commercial fishing vessels. Using tracking data from penguins on Robben and Dassen islands, researchers developed a metric called "overlap intensity," which measures both the extent of shared space and the number of individual penguins affected. This approach provides more accurate insights into competition for prey and helps identify critical areas that need protection. The findings highlight the importance of spatial management to balance fishing activities with penguin conservation efforts. By allowing fishing in areas less vital to penguins, this strategy benefits both the industry and the birds. The method can also be applied to other species and ecosystems, offering a model for addressing similar challenges globally. Protect

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Originally published on AllAfrica on 2/24/2026