Page 305 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

An aerial view of the Cape Columbine seal colony
south of the Groot Paternoster Rocks colony. Histori- cal
mention of seal islands near Cape Columbine refer to
Groot Paternoster Rocks colony (Best and Shaughnessy
1979). Pupping was first recorded in 1992 when 107
pups were tallied. A maximum of 279 pups have been
An aerial view of the Elands Bay seal colony
produced at the colony since 2008. About 14 nests of
12. Groot Paternoster Rocks Crowned (Microcarbo coronatus) and c. 13 nests of Bank
Coordinates: 32.736 S; 17.870 E (Phalacrocorax neglectus) cormorants were counted in
Status: Breeding 2019.
Description: This colony is on a rocky island situated near Conservation status: The rocks do not have legal protec-
Groot Paternoster Point, off the town of Paternoster. The tion. However, the adjacent mainland is part of the Cape
island is made up of a series of low-lying rocks (Kriel et al. Columbine Nature Reserve (Tietiesbaai) with controlled
1980). Seals mainly pup on two big rocks in the middle of access. A proposed management plan for the Sandveld
the group. Occasional pupping takes place on the eastern Coastal Complex will include this colony.
rock and no pupping has been observed on the western Eco-tourism: No seal tourism is conducted. However,
rock. However, seals can be found on all rocks. Seals for- viewing from boats has been reported.
merly used the rocks, probably as a haul-out site (Rand Harvesting status: No harvesting was conducted at this
1972). About 50 seals without pups were seen on the one locality.
big rock in 1975 (Shaughnessy 1987). Pupping was first
recorded in 1986 when c. 74 pups were born. The rocks 14. Jacobs Reef
are exposed to high energy wave action which was thought Coordinates: 32.953 S; 17.257 E
to affect pup survival (Wickens 1989), although this was Status: Breeding
not quantified. Pup production has increased overtime with Description: This colony is also referred to as Jacob’s
4,455 pups produced during the 2020 breeding season. Rock. It is an offshore rocky island situated off the village
Conservation status: The island was declared a Provincial of Jacobsbaai. Some seabird species (e.g., cormorants)
Nature Reserve in terms of Section 6 the Nature Conser- have historically utilised the island. About three active Bank
vation Ordinance, 1974 (Official Gazette 4524, 1988). It Cormorant nests were recorded on the island in 2019. A
is managed by Cape Nature with access restricted to few breeding Bank Cormorants were observed on aerial
research activities under a permit. pictures from the 2020 seal survey.
Eco-tourism: Kayak trips are conducted in the bay and Conservation status: The island was declared a Provin-
around the rocks. cial Nature Reserve in terms of section 6 of the Nature
Harvesting status: No harvesting was conducted at this Conservation Ordinance, 1974 (Official Gazette 4524,
locality. 1988). It is managed by CapeNature with access restricted
to research activities under a permit.
13. Cape Columbine Harvesting status: Harvesting ceased in 1952 (Wickens
Coordinates: 32.819 S; 17.846 E et al. 1991).
Status: Breeding
Description: This colony is made up of a series of rocks
that are all occupied by seals. The colony is situated c.10 km

An aerial view of the Groot Paternoster Rocks seal colony An aerial view of the Jacobs Reef seal colony

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