Executive Director of the Biodiversity Law Centre Kate Handley says the landmark ruling to protect African Penguins is not subject to a legal appeal.

The High Court in Pretoria has imposed six no-fishing zones around key breeding colonies, mostly in the Western Cape.

The penguins will be put in place within two weeks, preventing fishing boats from catching sardines and anchovies for the next 10 years in specific areas.

Handley says consultations were done to accommodate the affected communities and the local fishing industry,

“It’s a settlement agreement. So, it’s not subject to legal appeal, but it’s important to note that the closures that have been reached are a compromise in order to accommodate the need of the fishing industry. And I have no doubt in the course of negotiations, the two industry representatives, or representative bodies that were party to the court proceedings, engaged extensively with their members, around the proposed closures. So, it really is an outcome of considerable collaboration and accommodation between the parties, endorsed by the department and the minister,” says Handley.

Court makes landmark ruling to protect African Penguins