The African penguin population is at risk of extinction due to a dwindling availability of prey, with conservationists predicting they could disappear entirely by 2035. The Simon’s Town colony is a beacon of hope, as it has managed to maintain stability largely due to the prohibition of commercial fishing for small pelagics in False Bay since the 1980s. Despite legal battles to replace ineffective fishing closures, the delicate balance between commerce and conservation highlights the need to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity.
