The treasured little penguin population in Manly has drastically declined to just 19 breeding pairs, the lowest number ever recorded, prompting urgent calls for community action to save the endangered seabirds from local extinction.
A recent report by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) revealed this alarming figure for the 2023-2024 season. This represents a significant drop from previous years, when the area boasted up to 70 breeding pairs.
History of Manly’s Little Penguins
The little penguins, also known as “fairy” penguins, were once a common sight in Manly Cove, Spring Cove, Little Manly, and Collins Flat beaches. According to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), they form the only known breeding colony on the NSW mainland.
Previously, tourists could observe the penguins waddling from the water near Manly Wharf at dusk to spend the night under the wooden walkway on West Esplanade. Volunteer penguin “wardens” protected the birds during these nightly rituals.
Threats to the Penguin Population
Several factors have contributed to the penguins’ decline:
1. Boat strikes
2. Increased human activity
3. Coastal development
4. Predator attacks
Boat propeller injuries have been a significant cause of penguin deaths. Additionally, foxes, domestic dogs and cats pose severe threats to the birds. In 2015, a single fox killed 27 penguins at Collins Flat.
Call for Community Action
The Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) is urging recreational watercraft operators to adhere to boating rules designed to protect the penguins. Sarah Joyce, SCCG’s executive officer, stressed the need for urgent action to help the penguin population recover, highlighting boat strikes as a key threat.
To safeguard the remaining penguins, boaters are advised to:
1. Reduce speed to four knots or below when entering North Harbour, Manly
2. Exercise extra caution at dawn and dusk
3. Avoid anchoring in seagrass beds
4. Prohibit dogs and cats on beaches
The SCCG, in partnership with Transport for NSW, Northern Beaches Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, aims to increase awareness of these rules in Spring Cove.
Despite the dire situation, Erica Mahon, DCCEEW’s senior threatened species officer, remains optimistic about the penguins’ future. She emphasised that community involvement is crucial for ensuring the survival of Manly’s little penguin population.
