Penguin Island colony face danger in new marina development

Scientists and animal experts are concerned proposed canal-marina developments in Rockingham will have a devastating effect on a colony of Little Penguins on Penguin Island. 

Experts have expressed their concern in an urgent open letter to the Western Australian Environment Minister Stephen Dawson.

The letter pushes for the proposed canal-marina development at Mangles Bay in Rockingham to be dissolved with concerns for the welfare of Penguins. 

The Minister for Planning is expected to decide on the proposal shortly, but scientists have called for an urgent review of the project by the Environmental Protection Authority to allow important new information to be considered before the approval is granted.

Conservation Council of Western Australia Director Piers Verstegen said the call for a review was urgent and necessary to make an informed decision on the proposal. 

“Minister Saffioti cannot make a responsible planning decision to approve this project, now that these scientists have warned of important new information that was not considered as part of the environmental assessment for the project conducted by the Barnett Government.," he said. 

“Allowing this development to go ahead would cause a major ongoing environmental headache for the State Government, and it would destroy jobs in fishing, tourism, and other industries."

Mr Verstegen also said the proposed coastal park at Point Peron would be a welcome addition to the area.

“On the other hand, the popular Coastal Park proposal for Point Peron will create many new sustainable job opportunities while giving the community a wonderful new asset that will be regionally significant.”

The Penguin Island colony has the highest conservation status of all Little Penguin colonies in the nation but it has also halved since 2007.

Some experts believe that reduction is due to dwindling fish numbers, coastal development, and boat strikes that contribute to a quarter of Little Penguin deaths. 

WA penguin expert Dr Belinda Cannell is concerned about the rapid death toll facing the Penguins. 

“The Little Penguin colony on Penguin Island has approximately halved since 2007, and if the proposed Mangles Bay development goes ahead, we could lose both populations of Little Penguins - both on Penguin Island and Garden Island," she said. 
 
“This area is incredibly important for the Little Penguins while they’re incubating eggs and raising chicks.

"We’re concerned that the canal-marina will impact the seagrass areas and fish stocks, which could increase how far the Little Penguins have to travel to feed their young. If the chicks don’t eat enough before they leave the nest, they’re unlikely to survive.”

The letter to Minister Dawson outlines threats to both the Penguin Island and Garden Island colonies, including dredging the Little Penguins’ feeding grounds in Mangles Bay, increasing fatal boat strikes by introducing an additional 500 boats to the area, and reduced fish numbers due to impacts on water quality.