Page 595 - Atlas Sea Birds Ver1

Important areas for seabird breeding in the Benguela Current and
adjacent coasts in Angola and South Africa

Authors: AB Makhado, RJ Braby, RJM Crawford, C Fox, AP Martin, M Morais, DB Tom, PA Whittington, and M Witteveen

Abstract:
In earlier chapters, 369 breeding localities for seabirds in the Benguela upwelling system (BUS) and adjacent areas to the north in Angola
and the east in South Africa were described. Important breeding areas were identified for all 15 species of seabird that breed in the region.
This chapter summarises that information and highlights thirty ‘super sites’, which include the major breeding areas for all 15 species and
should be priority localities for conservation. The super sites sometimes lump breeding localities that are in close proximity to each other
and are, or could be, managed as a single entity.
Introduction:
Section 2.2 of this Atlas collated information on the numbers of 15 seabird species breeding at 368 sites in the Benguela upwelling system
(BUS) and adjacent coastal areas in Angola to the north and South Africa to the east. Aims of the Atlas included enabling analyses of trends
in the population sizes and breeding distributions of the 15 seabirds, in order to conduct preliminary assessments of their conservation
status; and identification of important areas for breeding by seabirds, which would inform spatial planning along the region’s coastline. This
chapter briefly summarises outcomes of the preliminary analyses of conservation status, collates information on important breeding sites
for all of the species, and attempts to identify a subset of 30 ‘Super Sites’, whose conservation should be accorded high priority.
Conservation status Important Bird and Biodiversity areas

Seven of the region’s seabirds are endemic to the BUS These Red List classifications are preliminary and still
as breeders: African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), need to be confirmed by IUCN, or at a regional scale by
Cape Gannet (Morus capensis), Cape Cormorant authorities delegated by parties to the Benguela Current
(Phalacrocorax capensis), Bank Cormorant (P. neglectus), Convention (BCC) to undertake such assessments.
Crowned Cormorant (Microcarbo coronatus), Hartlaub’s As described in section 3 of the Atlas, the proposed
Gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii), and Damara Tern Red List classifications were used to identify global
(Sternula balaenarum). Five of these species are usually (for endemics) or regional (for other species) Important
resident within the BUS and adjacent waters in Angola Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) based on criteria
and South Africa, whereas in their non-breeding seasons stipulated in BirdLife International (2020). Table 1
most Damara Terns and, formerly, some Cape Gannets shows the 369 seabird nesting sites in the region,
moved farther north along the west or east African coasts the most recent estimates of numbers of each of the
(Broekhuysen et al. 1961, Simmons 2005, Martin et al. 15 seabirds breeding at them, IBAs for 13 species, and the
2024). Preliminary assessments of the conservation most important colonies for White-breasted Cormorant (≥
status of these species, detailed in Section 3 of the Atlas, 100 pairs) and Kelp Gull (≥ 1,000 pairs).
suggested that, in terms of criteria of the International In total, 111 breeding sites met relevant IBA criteria, or
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2012), African were important sites for White-breasted Cormorants or
Penguin and Damara Tern may be Endangered (EN), Kelp Gulls. Efforts should be made to protect and manage
Cape Gannet and Bank Cormorant Vulnerable (VU), and all these sites for breeding by seabirds. However, it was
Cape and Crowned cormorants and Hartlaub’s Gull Least thought useful to highlight sites of particular importance, or
Concern (LC). However, on account of recent decreases ‘Super Sites’, for the seabird community that breeds in the
in parts of their ranges, each of the latter three species BUS and adjacent areas in Angola and South Africa.
should be considered Near Threatened (NT). At regional
scales, Cape Cormorants were thought to be EN in South
Africa and VU in Namibia. They are considered globally Super Sites
Endangered (Birdlife International 2023).
The other seabirds included two subspecies that are Over a 40-year period (1956–1996), small colonies of
endemic to the BUS and its adjacent areas: vetula of Kelp African Penguins had a higher probability of extinction
Gull (Larus dominicanus) and bergii of Greater Crested than larger ones; only 4% of colonies having less than
(Swift) Tern (Thalasseus bergii). The populations of these 250 pairs survived that period, compared to 50% of those
subspecies were judged to be LC. However, discrete having 500–1,000 pairs, and 67% of those having > 1,000
populations or coastal sub-populations of four other species pairs (Crawford et al. 2001). Therefore, the eight colonies
that breed in the region were thought to be Threatened: that, when most recently surveyed, had ≥ 500 pairs should
Leach’s Storm Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) Critically be regarded as crucial for the species’ survival: Mercury,
Endangered (CR); and Great White Pelican (Pelecanus Dassen, Robben, Dyer, St Croix, and Bird (Algoa Bay)
onocrotalus), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), and islands, Boulders, Simon’s Town, and Stony Point. As with
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) VU. Great White Pelican several other colonially-breeding seabirds in the BUS and
and Caspian Tern breed at inland water bodies, as well elsewhere, dwindling colonies render African Penguins
as along the coast, as also do White-breasted Cormorant susceptible to Allee effects and higher probabilities of
(P. lucidus) and Grey-headed Gull (C. cirrocephalus).The extinction. For example, birds at colonies may be unable
coastal sub-populations of White-breasted Cormorant and to form sufficient flocks for effective foraging, or greater
Grey-headed Gull were adjudged as LC. proportions of birds are subjected to edge effects, such

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