The draft Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Plan for Ship-to-Ship (STS) bunkering in Algoa Bay has finally been published and is available for stakeholder comment. We wish to encourage you to please participate. Together, we can protect and save the marine biodiversity and all the remarkable species inhabiting Algoa Bay, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Your input can help us make a difference.
Ship-to-Ship bunkering is a process of refueling ships at sea, avoiding port levies and securing a faster turnaround time, more significantly, it is a process that is effectively eradicating a variety of endangered species inhabiting Algoa Bay. Since inception in 2016, four oil spills linked to this practice have occurred; three of which have resulted in oiling of endangered seabirds. The Environmental Risk Assessment, after many delays, finally commenced in 2023, with the first draft now available for comment. The practice of Ship-to-Ship bunkering (STS bunkering) brings a vortex of destructive consequences for marine life in Algoa Bay, which is currently the only area where this practice is permitted by Transnet National Ports Authority. STS bunkering is synonymous with underwater noise pollution, oil pollution, and increased vessel traffic in an area once home to the largest breeding colony of African penguins on St. Croix Island. Since 2016, the start of STS bunkering, the population of African penguins on St. Croix Island has declined by 85%.
Did you know that Algoa Bay is recognized as a sentinel site for marine biodiversity in South Africa based on its unique ecological and biological characteristics? In 2019, Addo Elephant National Park was declared a Marine Protected Area due to the presence of the Bird and St. Croix Island groups, which are important sites for seabird conservation, and the Park and Island Groups are also listed as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (BirdLife International 2023). Dr Sylvia Earle declared Algoa Bay a Hope Spot, an area of special conservation concern that is critical to ocean health (Mission Blue 2014). Due to the high number of marine mammals found in the Bay, the World Cetacean Alliance declared Algoa Bay as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World and a Whale Heritage Site. The rich biodiversity of the Bay is being threatened by continued maritime activities and expansion and we must ensure it is preserved.
Recent research (Pichegru et al. 2022) revealed a strong correlation between the inception of STS Bunkering, the subsequent increase in vessel traffic and associated underwater noise levels, and the rapid decline in African penguin numbers on St Croix Island. From 2016 to 2022, St Croix Island went from the largest colony of African penguins to one of the smallest, with a decline of 85%, the largest short-term decline on record. Interestingly, the specialist noise impact assessment for the draft Ecological Risk Assessment for Algoa Bay also concluded that increased noise negatively affected diving birds.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of Wild Animals recommends that impact assessments are conducted before the beginning of any activities that may result in noise-associated impacts to any sensitive species and their prey in the region. They also proposed restrictions on noise emissions and mitigation measures to reduce impact when noise is unavoidable. Despite being a signatory to these conventions, South Africa has not taken any steps to reduce the impact of noise on sensitive marine species.
After the MV Chrysanthi oil spill in 2019, a moratorium was placed on the issuing of new licences for STS bunkering in South Africa; however, the existing three operators were allowed to continue. The moratorium would remain pending a holding capacity study and an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA). The holding capacity study was finalised in 2020 and if the ERA is accepted, with the risks deemed manageable, the moratorium on the issuing of new licences will be lifted and STS bunkering will intensify. The full report can be found here.
Please take a moment to lend the African penguin your voice. This is our opportunity to effect change! Written comments or input can be sent to DonavanH@nemai.co.za by no later than Monday, 22 January 2024, 17h00 SAST.
Please let us know if you have chosen to submit a comment; your support means the world to us.
Time is not always on our side, much like this situation right now. In case you need a spark to set your thoughts in motion, recent research by Pichegru et al. (2022) shows how an increase in underwater noise levels since the onset of Ship-to-Ship bunkering has coincided with the 85% decline in the number of African penguins on St. Croix Island since 2016. Additionally, three of the four oil spills due to STS bunkering have resulted in seabirds being oiled. The African penguin population is declining at an alarming rate, and to save this iconic species, every possible mitigation measure must be implemented. Therefore, STS bunkering should not be permitted close to any endangered seabird colony.