Large numbers of breeding seabirds inhabit the Prince Edward Island ecosystem, which lies nearly 1,000 miles south of mainland South Africa, about halfway to Antarctica. The new Marine Protected Area designation helps safeguard the birds’ food supply and reduce their risk of entanglement in fishing gear. Efforts are also underway to designate the islands as a World Heritage site to ensure the nearly pristine islands remain undisturbed.
About South Africa’s Prince Edward Islands
The Prince Edward Islands are surrounded by South Africa’s largest marine protected area. The islands, also the first sub Antarctic Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance, are largely uninhabited and have not suffered from the presence of many invasive species. Prince Edward Island has no introduced mammals and Marion Island has only house mice, which have little effect on breeding seabird colonies.
Two major ocean frontal systems create two distinct ocean habitats around the Prince Edward Islands, each one supporting very different marine wildlife species. In addition, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows through the marine reserve, providing a rich source of plankton for birds, fish and marine mammals. Breeding populations of 29 species of seabirds, including albatross and penguins, benefit from this diverse environment.
Seabird Breeding Colonies in Prince Edward Islands Marine Reserve
Plentiful food and a minimum number of predators make the islands a valuable nesting area for pelagic birds. Five species of albatross, including the endangered Indian yellow–nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri) and light mantled sooty albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), are found there. More than 40% of the global population of wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), a species considered vulnerable to extinction, nest on these islands. Four penguin species are also found in the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area, along with other seabirds such as petrels, shearwaters, skuas, gulls and gannets.
Marine Protected Area Status Helps Control Fishing Access
One of the most important ways the Marine Protected Area designation safeguards seabirds is by controlling the level of fishing within the reserve. Albatross are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in longline fishing gear so the fewer fishing boats that set their lines near the colony, the lower the chance of being entangled while nesting. The area closest to the Prince Edward Islands has a 12 nautical mile No Take Zone surrounded by a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone designated as Managed Resource Protected Area.
Many seabird populations are declining throughout the world. Breeding colonies of these birds have suffered from the presence of introduced cats and rats, which predate on eggs and hatchlings. Entanglement in fishing gear in heavily fished areas and ingestion of plastic and other trash are further problems. Ensuring that undisturbed or minimally disturbed habitat like that of the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area remains intact for these birds is one step toward ending their decline.
Other Source:
Nel D. C. & Omardien, A. (eds) 2008 Towards the Development of a Marine Protected Area at the Prince Edward Islands WWF South Africa Report Series – 2008/Marine/001
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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