Presentation
Cumulative Impacts of Maritime Expansion on Endangered Seabirds in Algoa Bay, South Africa focusing on Ship-To-Ship Fuel Bunkering
SessionShip to Ship Transfers
DescriptionAlgoa Bay, South Africa, is recognized as a sentinel site for marine biodiversity in South Africa based on its unique ecological and biological characteristics. Two of South Africa’s most important seabird colonies, St Croix Island and Bird Island, are found in Algoa Bay. Algoa Bay is also of considerable economic importance to a highly impoverished region since the expansion of the Port of Ngqura and the advent of ship-to-ship (STS) fuel transfers and bunkering (herein STS bunkering) nearby. STS bunkering is a regular practice around the world in fairly safe conditions. In Algoa Bay, STS bunkering activities have proven to be a significant threat to seabirds, particularly African penguins, with four oil spills in five years affecting three of the four endangered seabird species in the Bay. In all instances, the oil spills were due to STS bunkering operations. Research conducted thus far shows a clear link between human-induced activities and the 85% decline in African penguins on St Croix Island over the last five years. Nevertheless, little is done to mitigate these impacts, and approaches are still reactionary instead of precautionary. This paper evaluates the cumulative impact of maritime expansion on endangered seabird species, focusing on ship-to-ship bunkering activities.
Authors
Event Type
Paper
TimeWednesday, May 15th3:50pm - 4:10pm CDT
Location291-292
Preparedness
Prevention