Manly little penguins numbers plummet
They are perhaps Manly’s best loved seasonal guests. But the Manly little penguins are in trouble with the number of breeding pairs down to just 28.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The number of the Manly little penguins has plummeted by a third in the last year leading to fears they could become extinct on our watch.
There are now thought to be just 28 breeding pairs with a scarcity of food, increased human activity and development to blame.
At Tuesday night’s Northern Beaches Council meeting councillors will discuss proposals to protect the penguins, including the extension of the protected area around Manly Cove and Little Manly.
National Parks Wildlife Services (NPWS) is also planning to increase patrols and install cameras at key nesting sites to stop predators before they strike.
Cr Sarah Grattan, who is calling for greater protections in a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting, said it was vital breeding sites were protected, even when it was not breeding season.
“They return to their breeding sites year after year so we need to make sure they are secure,” she said.
“Any changes in their habitat will have an effect.”
In her motion to councillors, she warned: “There is a very real possibility that the little penguins become extinct on our watch.”
She said action was needed now as the council was in the process of developing a new Local Environment Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) to replace those used under the former Manly Council.
The DCP will mark an area around breeding sites which will restrict certain developments.
Additionally the State Government has its own protective measures as it assigns breeding grounds as an Area Of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBV).
This also provides protection against fishing, boats and dogs which could harm the penguins.
At present the combined areas stretch from Manly Cove round to Cannae Point.
However, Cr Grattan is proposing to extend the protected area.
Council officers are also preparing to come back with recommendations for further protected areas.
The increased zones would make it harder for some of Manly’s wealthiest residents to build on their properties, particularly those who live along Cove Ave and Addison Rd.
A NPWS spokesman said the Manly colony was the only breeding colony left on mainland NSW and so its importance could not be underestimated.
“Monitoring of the colony suggests the most likely cause for the decline was the availability of food,” he said.
“We are working to further bolster protection of the colony with a comprehensive predator control program in place and cameras are installed at key nesting sites.
“Negotiations are underway with partner agencies to undertake additional actions, research and training and increase patrols and monitoring of the colony.
“We are also exploring options for tracking penguin movements, additional predator controls, community awareness and population supplementation.”
IN OTHER NEWS