Page 286 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

and 2018, and no breeding occurred at two former colonies
(Penguin at Lüderitz and Possession islands). Ten localities
were colonised or recolonised by seals after the 1970s:
Möwe Bay, Torra Bay, Toscanini, Pelican Point, Sandwich
Harbour, Conception Bay, Sylvia Hill, Mercury Island, Little
Ichaboe and North Reef (in the Possession Island group).
No breeding has taken place at Mercury Island since
1993. The overall number of pups fluctuated around a
level of about 150,000 between 1972 and 2002 and then
increased to about 300,000 in 2018 (Table 1). There was a
northward shift in the distribution of pups. In 1972, 63% of
pups were born south of Lüderitz whereas, in 2018, 71%
were born north of Walvis Bay.
Descriptions of breeding localities
Cape Fur Seals at Mowe Bay (photo MFMR)
Cape Frio
Coordinates: 18.43 S; 12.00 E the area. Remnants of the Suiderkus shipwreck are found
Description: Cape Frio (also known as Cape Fria) lies on a nearby beach, which is strewn with semi-precious
on a barren stretch of sandy coast with infrequent rocky stones and pebbles. The seal colony provides food for local
outcrops in the remote northern section of Skeleton Coast predators and scavengers such as Brown Hyenas, Black-
National Park. Breeding was first observed at the site in backed Jackals and, on occasion, coastal desert Lions
1964 (Shaughnessy 1987, Oosthuizen and David 1988 as (Stander 2019).
cited in de Villiers et al. 1997). Previously, the locality had
been used by seals as a haul-out site and was regarded Torra Bay
as a non-breeding colony. Pupping was not regular at the Coordinates: 20.45 S; 13.24 E
locality until the early 1990s. Since then, it has been one Description: The colony is on a long, sandy beach in
of the fastest growing fur seal colonies in northern Namibia SCNP. The name Torra Bay originated in the 16 century,
th
(Table 1). when Portuguese navigators named it the Dark Hill/
Conservation status: The colony is fully protected as it Mountain after dark-capped hills visible in surrounding
falls within the Skeleton Coast National Park (SCNP) and areas, which they explored in their search for water. The
access is regulated by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, colony was once a non-breeding haul-out. However, its
Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). population grew and > 5,000 pups were born in 2006 and >
Harvesting status: Seal harvesting was at first not 30,000 pups in 2018 (Table 1).
permitted to take place at non-breeding colonies, such as Conservation status: The colony is fully protected as it
Cape Frio. However, an experimental harvest took place at falls within SCNP and access to it is regulated by MEFT.
Cape Frio in June 1976, when 148 seals were harvested Harvesting status: The colony has been harvested
(Shaughnessy 1978). No harvesting is currently taking occasionally since 2014.
place at this colony.
Ecotourism: The colony is a tourist attraction that is Ecotourism: Torra Bay is a seasonal fishing site situated
included in SCNP tourist concessions. In 2022, two in SCNP. Access is only possible by permit, which may be
companies operated in the area, offering fly-in safaris, seal obtained at the Ugab Gate entrance or any MEFT office. It is
watching and guided tours to shipwrecks and other sites of usually open in summer between December and January,
interest in the park. when it attracts numerous anglers. Other activities include
bird watching and walking along the beach.
Möwe Bay
Coordinates: 19.37 S; 12.70 E Toscanini
Description: A colony on a rocky and sandy beach in Coordinates: 20.82 S; 13.39 E
SCNP. Description: Toscanini is a sandy beach located in SCNP,
Conservation status: It falls within SCNP and access to it 247 km north of Swakopmund. The seal colony is one of
is regulated by MEFT. those newly-formed in northern Namibia. The colony was
Harvesting status: No harvesting has taken place at this first censused in 2006, when > 500 pups were recorded.
colony. Subsequently, numbers of pups have dwindled (Table 1).
Ecotourism: Möwe Bay is located in the remote northern Conservation status: The colony is protected as it falls
section of SCNP approximately 80 km north of Terrace Bay. within SCNP and access to it is regulated by MEFT.
It serves as the headquarters of the park and is off-limits to Harvesting status: No harvesting has taken place at the
casual and independent travellers. Möwe Bay has a small colony.
museum that records the history of local shipwrecks and Ecotourism: Toscanini is an abandoned diamond mine
houses artefacts and skeletal remains of wildlife found in that has regular visitors to see its old, rusty oil rig.

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