Ongoing media reporting with respect to the substantial decline in the population of the African penguin since 2004. They depend on small pelagic fish as their main source of energy.

In an effort to address these concerns, the Small Pelagic Fishing sector is committed towards the conservation of the African penguin and is currently working with DFFE, Oceans and Coasts, Environmental NGOs, and the Minister to find solutions to the matter with interim island closures now declared until the review process of possible longer-term MPA’s around islands is considered by an international review panel which is expected to be finalized during June 2023.

The annual spawner biomass research voyage which was critical to establish assumptions for the determination of the initial total allowable catch for 2023 reported a low biomass presence which results in a reduced TAC being issued.