Local conservationists call for more protections of WA’s little penguin population

Rockingham locals and activist groups have called for more protections for Penguin Island’s namesake little penguin population.

The population of little penguins has been in drastic decline, with an estimated population of 1600-2000 little penguins in 2007’s breeding season dropping to its current estimated population of just 114 – a reduction of 94% in less than 20 years.

The decline in population can be attributed to a number of factors, including rising sea temperatures from climate change reducing available food for the penguins, as well as significantly increased visitation to the island and surrounding Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

The increased number of visitors results in higher rates of boat strike injuries to not just penguins but the local sea lion population. Peak visitation season during the summer months also coincides with the little penguin moulting season: during this time, little penguins stop feeding for two weeks to grow new feathers, and high rates of visitation can prevent penguins from accessing cool areas of the island, leading to fatal hyperthermia.

“The penguins can’t access the water to cool off during hot summers due to visitors on every inch of beach,” the Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins community group wrote on social media, citing recommendations in the 2014 Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Management Plan Periodic Assessment Report undertaken by the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority.

Recommendations in the report include limiting public access to the island during moulting season and reviewing speed limits in the marine park.

Dawn Jecks, Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins campaigner and councillor for the City of Rockingham, has also called for the island to be closed to tourists “for at least two years to allow the penguins to recover with a minimum of disturbance”.

In December, the Little Penguin Advisory Group was announced as part of a State Government conservation effort. Headed by Western Australian Marine Science Institute CEO Dr Luke Twomey and comprised of scientists, marine park coordinators, and local representatives, the group was formed in an effort to address conservation of the penguin population.

“Penguin Island is an iconic attraction of Western Australia,” said Environment Minister Reece Whitby.

“We know climate change is a serious challenge facing these penguins.”

“This group will ensure we are doing everything we can to not only protect Penguin Island’s population, but iconic penguin colonies right throughout our State.”

The group’s first meeting is scheduled for this month and will deliver its findings by December 2025.

Existing conservation initiatives include:

• extending the island’s winter closure period;
• not proceeding with plans to build a new discovery centre on the island; and
• enforcing island closures on days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

A new Penguin Discovery Centre on the mainland is currently in its planning phase following the closure of the island’s centre in 2023.