A vast expanse of the Southern Ocean vital for the future of the world’s penguins has become one of the largest marine protected areas on Earth, after years of close cooperation between the South African government and WWF.
The remote Prince Edward and Marion Islands lie 2,000 km south of South Africa surrounded by the Southern Ocean, about halfway to Antarctica. Land is scarce in the Southern Ocean; the islands provide vital breeding grounds for more than a million penguins of several threatened species, including 13% of the world’s king penguin population, Gentoo Penguins and the vulnerable Rockhopper and Macaroni.
The remote location and harsh climate means there is no permanent human settlement on the islands, except a group of scientists on a small base. Summer and winter have fairly similar climates with cold winds and threat of snow or frost possible at any time. Average midsummer temperatures in February are 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and average midwinter temperatures in August are 3.9 °C (39.0 °F).
However, the area suffered rampant fish poaching during the late 1990’s, which led to a reduction in fish available for wildlife and by-catching of seabirds. The new protected area covers the island and about 180,000 square kilometres of ocean – an area nearly nine times the size of Wales. The zone will also protect endangered Sooty Albatrosses, vulnerable Wandering Albatross and Grey-headed Albatross, 14 species of petrel, fur seals, killer whales and a host of other incredible wildlife.
Since the South African government announced its intention to create the new protected area five years ago, WWF has worked closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to develop plans for how it will be managed.
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International, said: “South Africa has made a globally significant commitment to our oceans through its intention to declare this large MPA. In particular, South Africa plays a key role with several other countries including Australia, France and New Zealand, in protecting the amazing biodiversity and commercially important fisheries of the sub-Antarctic and, through this, helps to establish a fully representative, viable and effective MPA network for the Southern Ocean.”