SOUTH AFRICA. Country Wildlife Response Profiles A Summary of oiled wildlife response arrangements and resources worldwide 9/22/2009

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VERSION 9/22/2009 Introduction The Republic of South Africa is situated at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the

1 VERSION 9/22/2009 Introduction The Republic of South Africa is situated at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland to the northeast. South African territory also completely surrounds the Kingdom of Lesotho, situated in the east. South Africa s coastline extends 2,798 km. Several offshore islands, which are important breeding colonies for a number of seabird species, are dotted around its coastline. Islands most at risk in the event of a spill include the St. Croix and Bird islands in Algoa Bay; Boulders, Dyer, Dassen, Robben, and the Saldanha Bay Islands; and Bird Island in Lamberts Bay. All the islands are protected, as is most of the coastline, either as a nature reserve, national park or world heritage site (Robben Island). The South African region supports diverse and abundant communities of coastal sea birds, including the vulnerable African penguin, which has an estimated breeding pairs left in the wild. Other sea bird species breeding along the South African coastline (most of which are also vulnerable) include Cape gannets, cormorant species (cape, crowned, bank and white breasted), sea gulls (Kelp gulls and Hartlaub s gulls), tern species (swift, rosiete, and sandwich), various shorebirds (White pelicans, African black oystercatcher, etc). From a conservational point of view, the most important species is the African penguin. Robben Island and Dassen Island together support roughly 40% of the world population of the African penguin, representing the third and first largest breeding grounds for African penguins respectively. A total of eight whale species frequent South African waters, including blue whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, bryde s whales, and southern right whales. Southern right whales migrate to the South African coastline in June to mate and calve, and remain until early November when they return to their feeding grounds in the Antarctic. Humpback whales and their calves arrive at about this time and stay until the end of December or early January. Five species of marine turtles also inhabit South African waters; namely the green, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, and hawksbill turtle. South Africa is situated on one of the world s busiest shipping routes, with roughly 1,400 oil tankers, freighters and other vessels crossing the coastline each month. Together with its notoriously rough sea conditions, South Africa is highly vulnerable to oil spills. Regional Seas Two of the world s oceans meet off of the South African coast: the Indian Ocean on the east and south coasts, and the South Atlantic Ocean on the west coast. Thus two powerful and opposing water currents dominate the region on the west coast, the Benguela Current flows northward from the Antarctic, bringing cold, nutrient rich waters to the surface, whilst on the east coast, the Agulhas Current flows down from the tropics, warming the Indian Ocean. Past experience A number of major spills have occurred in South African waters; those that have significantly impacted wildlife include: Esso Essen (1968): 15,000 tonnes of crude oil were spilled, affecting 3,000 penguins and 500 gannets Kazimah (1970): 1,000 penguins affected Wafra (1971): 15,000 tonnes of crude oil were spilled, affecting 1,200 penguins; a fencing operation saved the majority of the Dyer Island penguin population Mystery spill off Dassen Island (1972): 4,000 birds affected Oriental Pioneer (1974): thousands of birds affected Castillo de Belver (1983): 190,000 tonnes of crude oil were spilled, affecting 1,400 Cape Gannets and 800 penguins Capodistrias (1985): 900 birds affected 1

2 Apollo Sea (1994): 2,400 tonnes were spilled, affecting 10,000 penguins on Dassen and Robben Island. 50% of the oiled penguins were successfully rehabilitated and released Mystery spill off Danger Point (1995): 1,600 penguins affected MV Cordigliera (1996): 1,200 penguins affected MV Treasure (2000): 1,300 tonnes of heavy fuel oil were spilled, oiling 19,000 penguins. An additional 19,500 un-oiled penguins were removed from Dassen and Robben Islands before they could become oiled, and were released about a thousand kilometres east of Cape Town, near Port Elizabeth. This gave workers enough time to clean up the oiled waters and shores before the birds could complete their long swim home, which took the penguins between 2 and 3 weeks. The MV Treasure spill was particularly dangerous as it occurred at the peak of the breeding season and a third of the entire African Penguin population lived in the affected area. The response to the MV Treasure spill is considered as the most successful oiled bird rehabilitation effort ever, with more than 91% of the penguins successfully rehabilitated and released. Response: the role of the authorities The South African Marine Safety Authority (SAMSA) is responsible for preventing oil pollution in the marine environment, and is responsible for developing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP). The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) assumes responsibility for all the associated environmental considerations once an oil spill has occurred and is responsible for developing oil spill contingency plans for the coastal regions. The Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) is a branch of the DEAT and is the regulatory authority responsible for managing all marine and coastal activities, including monitoring and preventing oil pollution. The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) was implemented in August 2006, and an amendment was made in Although the NOSCP does not contain sensitivity maps, a sensitivity atlas is available, which was published in the 1980 s. Plans are in place for DEAT to update the sensitivity atlas and also to make an electronic version of it available during 2008/2009. Oiled wildlife will be rehabilitated by SANCCOB with assistance from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), other NGO s and relevant conservation authorities (CapeNature, South African National Parks). The Provincial Nature Conservation Departments are responsible for coordinating the treatment of oiled birds, occurring on the offshore islands, except in a National Park (in which case the National Park Authority would take the lead). Thus, different authorities are responsible for specific breeding colonies, each having an individual Island Plan in place; namely: Cape Nature is responsible for: Dassen Island, Bird Island Lamberts Bay, Dyer Island, Vondeling Island, Seal Island (False Bay), Betty s Bay and Stoney Point (Overberg Municipality). South African National Parks (SAN Parks) are responsible for West Coast National Park: Saldanha Bay Islands (except Meeuw); Boulders; Addo National Park: Algoa Bay Islands-Bird Island, St Croix Island. Robben Island Musem is responsible for Robben Island. South African National Defense Force is responsible for Meeuw Island in Saldanha Bay. When SANCCOB responds to spills on one of the offshore islands, it does so under the auspices and supervision of the relevant Island Authority. Oiled wildlife response Formal guidelines? In accordance with the NOSCP, local environmental agencies, wildlife organisations and related NGOs assume the following tasks: Provide advice and assistance based on local knowledge; Provide specialist advice with regard to the local area, terrain, etc.; Supervise clean-up operations within their area of jurisdiction; Participate in the in the Joint Response Committee (JRC); Manage the rehabilitation activities for affected species; Rescue and transport oiled birds; and Co-ordinate the rescue and transportation of oiled birds in consultation with SANCCOB. 2

3 South Africa s NOSPC identifies SANCCOB as a stakeholder that reports to the DEAT in the event of a major tier 3 spill. In a major spill, SANCCOB would cooperate with local environmental agencies to rescue, transport, clean and rehabilitate oiled birds, participate in the Joint Response Committee (JRC), clean and rehabilitate oiled birds, and rear orphaned chicks. Local Coastal Plans, compiled by MCM and DEAT, outline the responsibilities of provincial and local governments when there is a threat of oil impacting the shoreline. SANCCOB would usually form part of the overall coastal response operation, as outlined in these Coastal Oil Spill Contingency Plans. Moreover, individual facilities, such as ports and power stations, have plans in place which detail the response required. Response objectives and strategy The primary objective is to minimize the impact of oil spills on sea bird populations around the South African coast. The SANCCOB contingency plan accomplishes this by explaining the functions and responsibilities of everyone involved, the infrastructure and the response required. The National and Coastal Plans meet this objective by preventing oil from reaching critical habitats and the detailed Island Plans reduce the oiling of birds by preventing them from entering the impacted environment. SANCCOB s Oil Spill Contingency Plan deals with 3 separate tiers: Tier 1: In the event that birds are affected. SANCCOB would be the lead organisation for rehabilitation. Tier 2 : In the event that birds are affected. SANCCOB would be the lead organisation for rehabilitation. Operational Support would be given by DEAT (Marine and Coastal Management), IFAW, Cape Nature, Animal Demography Unit (ADU) (University of Cape Town), SAN Parks. Tier 3: In the event that over 2,000 birds are affected. SANCCOB (with IFAW support) would be the lead organisation for the rehabilitation effort. Operational Support would be by DEAT, IFAW ER Team, Cape Nature, ADU, SAN Parks. Euthanasia or rehabilitation? Due to the dramatic decline of African penguin over the last 100 years, the rehabilitation of those affected by oil is absolutely crucial and will be attempted. Impact assessment The relevant authorities responsible for a specific area are in charge of collecting any dead animals in their area of responsibility. All sea birds collected during an oil spill are taken to SANCCOB, where necropsies and sample collections are carried out. There are also various veterinary pathology laboratories that may be involved with necropsies during an oil spill. In addition, DEAT has scientists that conduct studies on an ongoing basis in the marine wildlife population. The Avian Demography Unit from the University of Cape Town undertakes post-release monitoring of rehabilitated and released birds. Notification and early response The first indication of an oil spill at sea will usually come from a report from a vessel or the sighting of an oil slick by an aircraft. These reports would be received by SAMSA and/or MCM/DEAT, who would notify the relevant authorities in terms of the Coastal Oil Spill Contingency Plans. Local authorities may also be made aware of oil stranding on their beaches, by members of the public. Again, in terms of the Coastal Oil Spill Contingency Plans, they would pass the information on to MCM/DEAT, who would initiate the required response. However, it is often the case that the first signs of oil spilled at sea are indicated by oiled sea birds returning to 3

4 their colonies. In this case, it is often the island manager who observes oiled sea birds. He would report directly to the Conservation Authority, who should then notify MCM/DEAT and SANCCOB. Finally, a member of the public may make a report of oiled sea birds, either to the local authority or directly to SANCCOB. In this case, the report should be noted and forwarded to MCM/DEAT. SANCCOB can deal with 2,000 penguins at their current facility. SANCCOB will call on the help of its principal partner IFAW who can make their emergency response team available. This will usually happen if more than 2,000 penguins are affected (going onto Tier 3 spill). SANCCOB and IFAW have contingency plans to put up a satellite rehabilitation facility. The person at SANCCOB who receives the initial notification of the oil spill will immediately notify the SANCCOB Core Management Team, who will then ensure that the procedure for notifying other organisations is successfully completed. Wildlife responders SANCCOB is an officially recognized stakeholder and is at the forefront of any rescue effort following an oil spill. SANCCOB is a sea bird rehabilitation facility that responds to oiled (spills and chronic), ill, injured and orphaned sea birds throughout the year. It is a non-profit organization that currently receives no funding from the government. Since 1994, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has provided continued support to SANCCOB in the form of financial assistance and disaster relief personnel during small and large spills. An agreement exists between the two organisations, which states that when SANCCOB reaches capacity, they will formally request assistance from IFAW. Ajubatus Marine Rescue, located on South Africa s southeast coast, is another marine bird rehabilitation centre that provides treatment and temporary care to injured, diseased, displaced or oiled indigenous marine birds. In addition to the Intensive Care Hospital, Rehabilitation facility consists of freshwater pool, a holding pen, and a feeding pen. Cooperation between stakeholders There are good working relationships between conservation authorities, MCM and sea bird rehabilitators, but not much cooperation exists at present with the oil industry. Permanent facilities SANCCOB s permanent facility is located in Table View (Cape Town) and is able to take in up to 2000 birds at a time. If this centre is unable to cope, a temporary facility would be established. This was the case in the aftermath of the MV Treasure, where staff from IFAW and SANCCOB worked together to secure a railway warehouse in Cape Town. The entire indoor facility was approximately 22,000 square meters, half of which was used for the penguin rehabilitation program. Current processes SANCCOB, together with an environmental consultant, organised a table-top oil spill contingency exercise in May This was the first time that the oil spill plan was tested since its implementation and the aim was to test how all the relevant stakeholders communicated with one another. The local government and municipalities, SAMSA, IFAW, smaller rehabilitation facilities and representatives from Namibia participated. Documentation and references General references ITOPF Country Profile General References SANCCOB Contingency Plan for the Capture, Transport, Rehabilitation and Release of Oiled Sea Birds Following a Major Oil Spill off the South African Coast. Terms and Conditions These Country Wildlife Profiles are provided in good faith as a guide only and are based on information obtained from a variety of sources over a period of time. This information is subject to change and should, 4

5 in each case, be independently verified before reliance is placed on it. Country Wildlife Profiles may have been issued solely to incorporate additional or revised information under one heading only. Each Profile has therefore not necessarily been completely verified or updated as at the stated Date of Issue. Sea Alarm hereby excludes, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability to any person, corporation or other entity for any loss, damage or expense resulting from reliance or use of these Country Wildlife Profiles. These Country Wildlife Profiles may be reproduced by any means for noncommercial distribution without addition, deletion or amendment, provided an acknowledgment of the source is given and these Terms & Conditions are reproduced in full. These Country Wildlife Profiles may not be reproduced without the prior written permission of Sea Alarm Foundation either for commercial distribution or with addition, deletion or amendment. 5

DARWIN INITIATIVE FOR THE SURVIVAL OF SPECIES : APPLICATION FOR GRANT FOR ROUND 9 COMPETITION

DARWIN INITIATIVE FOR THE SURVIVAL OF SPECIES : APPLICATION FOR GRANT FOR ROUND 9 COMPETITION Please read the accompanying Guidance Note before completing this form. Give a full answer to each section;