Page 170 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

Cormorants recorded at Dassen Island was 219 pairs in
1987. However, < 100 pairs have bred since 1992. As with
penguins, food availability influenced the numbers of both
these cormorant species breeding in western South Africa
(Crawford et al. 2008, 2019, Sherley et al. 2017). In South
Africa, sardine and anchovy were important in the diet of
Cape Cormorant (Masiko et al. 2021) and rock lobster (Ja-
sus lalandii) in that of Bank Cormorant (Dyer et al. 2019).
Maximum numbers observed breeding for other species
were 50 pairs of White-breasted Cormorant in 1971, 441
pairs of Crowned Cormorant in 2015, 6,406 pairs of
Kelp Gull in 1995, 1,661 pairs of Hartlaub’s Gull in 2017,
4,946 pairs of Greater Crested Tern in 2005 and one pair of
Caspian Tern in 2010.
Cape Fur Seals caught penguins around Dassen Island
(Cooper 1974). Great White Pelicans ate chicks of African Cormorants breeding on the breakwaer at Koeberg (photo
Penguins at surface nests and of Cape and Crowned BM Dyer)
cormorants, Kelp Gull and Greater Crested Tern at the Section 6 the Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance
island (de Ponte Machado 2007). When hunting Kelp Gull 19 of 1974), on 9 March 1988 and proclaimed in the
chicks, pelicans often foraged in groups (de Ponte Machado Provincial Gazette of 18 March 1988 by Proclamation No.
2007). A decrease in the number of Kelp Gulls breeding at 23/1988. The island is administered by the Western Cape
Dassen Island after 2007 may have resulted from sustained Nature Conservation Board, CapeNature.
poor recruitment of birds to the breeding component of the Species and numbers breeding: One pair of Bank Cor-
population following losses of chicks to pelicans. morants bred at the island in 2015, but none were recorded
in 1996 or from 2016–2019.
Skulpbaai Rock
Coordinates: 33.5719 S; 18.3177 E Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
Description: A small rock. Coordinates: 33.6771 S; 18.4215 E
Conservation status: It is not protected. Description: The breakwater at the harbour of the power
Species and numbers breeding: Five pairs of Crowned station.
Cormorant bred at the rock in 1959 (Crawford et al. 1982b). Conservation status: Koeberg Private Nature Reserve
None did so in 2011 (Crawford et al. 2012). was proclaimed in 1991 in terms of Section 6 of the
Nature Conservation Ordinance (Ordinance 19 of 1974).
Seal Ledges (Robbesteen) The National Environmental Management: Protected
Coordinates: 33.6451 S; 18.4000 E Areas Act (2003), which came into effect after the
Description: A low island off the coast between Koeberg proclamation of the nature reserve, regards previously
Nuclear Power Station and Bokbaai. It is mainly covered declared nature reserves as protected areas in terms
with seals (Seakamela et al. 2024). of the new Act. The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant and
Conservation status: Seal Ledges Nature Reserve was associated infrastructure, including the breakwater, is not
established as a Provincial Nature Reserve in terms of accessible to the public.

A view of Robbesteen (photo BM Dyer)

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