Morus capensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PELECANIFORMES	SULIDAE

Scientific Name:

Morus capensis

Species Authority:

(Lichtenstein, 1823)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Cape Gannet
French	–	Fou du Cap

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2acde+3cde+4acde;B2ab(iii,iv,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable since it has a very small breeding range on just six islands, and over-exploitation of its prey by human fisheries - compounded by pollution - is causing a continuous decline in the quality of surrounding waters for foraging.

History:

2007	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Morus capensis breeds at just six islands: Bird (Lambert's Bay), Malgas and Bird (Algoa Bay), South Africa, and Mercury, Ichaboe and Possession, Namibia. Historically it bred on four more islands³. Outside the breeding season, adults are generally sedentary but young range east to Mozambique and Tanzania, and regularly north as far as Nigeria, but usually within 100 km of land. In 1996, the global population numbered c.173,000 breeding pairs: 153,000 (88.4%) in South Africa, the balance in Namibia. The total breeding population in 2004-2006 was c.150,000 pairs³. Exchange occurs between breeding localities. Although the numbers breeding at South African islands increased between 1956 and 1996, the Namibian population declined massively. The total breeding population has decreased by 1.14% per year over the 49 years between 1956-1957 and 2005-2006, equivalent to 36% over 39 years³. The colony at Possession Island now numbers only 750 pairs, and may soon be lost.
Countries:	Native: Angola; Australia; Cameroon; Congo; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Sao Tomé and Principe; South Africa; Tanzania, United Republic of; United States; United States; United States Vagrant: Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Ghana; Oman; Peru Present - origin uncertain: Benin; Kenya; Togo
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The total breeding population in 2004-2006 was c.150,000 pairs (Kemper et al. 2007).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour This species is not strictly migratory and the majority of birds remain within 500km of their breeding site year round⁴, some (mainly adult males) continuing to use the breeding grounds as roosting sites throughout the non-breeding season⁶. However some adults disperse up to 3300 km from the breeding colonies, moving along the African coast for about 3 months during the non-breeding season^5,6. Juveniles disperse northwards in April^4,6, travelling up to 4000 km towards the equator⁶ where they may remain for over a year⁶. Breeding occurs between September and April in large colonies of up to 5000 pairs⁶, although it will also nest in much smaller groups⁶. Large foraging aggregations occur around trawling vessels⁴. Individuals can travel as much as 450 km in a day in search of food¹¹. Habitat This species is strictly marine. Breeding It prefers to nests on flat or gently sloping open ground on offshore islands⁵, but will also use island cliffs as well as man-made structures such as guano platforms⁶. Non-breeding It most often forages within 120km of the shore¹⁰, particularly frequenting areas where purse-seine netting occurs⁶, but occasionally wanders further offshore over the continental shelf⁴ where it benefits from the discards of deep-water stern trawlers⁶. Diet It feeds mainly on shoaling pelagic fish⁴ such as anchovy Engraulis capensis, sardine Sardinops sagax or saury Scomberesox saurus, as well as offal discarded by fishing boats including demersal fish⁵. In South Africa fluctuations in the contribution of E. capensis and S. sagax in the diet match the changing abundance of the species^7,9. Breeding site The nest consists of a mound with a cup-shaped depression in its centre⁶. It is made from guano, vegetation and other matter that can be scraped together⁵. Where no such material is available, eggs are laid on bare ground⁵. .
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour This species is not strictly migratory and the majority of birds remain within 500km of their breeding site year round⁴, some (mainly adult males) continuing to use the breeding grounds as roosting sites throughout the non-breeding season⁶. However some adults disperse up to 3300 km from the breeding colonies, moving along the African coast for about 3 months during the non-breeding season^5,6. Juveniles disperse northwards in April^4,6, travelling up to 4000 km towards the equator⁶ where they may remain for over a year⁶. Breeding occurs between September and April in large colonies of up to 5000 pairs⁶, although it will also nest in much smaller groups⁶. Large foraging aggregations occur around trawling vessels⁴. Individuals can travel as much as 450 km in a day in search of food¹¹. Habitat This species is strictly marine. Breeding It prefers to nests on flat or gently sloping open ground on offshore islands⁵, but will also use island cliffs as well as man-made structures such as guano platforms⁶. Non-breeding It most often forages within 120km of the shore¹⁰, particularly frequenting areas where purse-seine netting occurs⁶, but occasionally wanders further offshore over the continental shelf⁴ where it benefits from the discards of deep-water stern trawlers⁶. Diet It feeds mainly on shoaling pelagic fish⁴ such as anchovy Engraulis capensis, sardine Sardinops sagax or saury Scomberesox saurus, as well as offal discarded by fishing boats including demersal fish⁵. In South Africa fluctuations in the contribution of E. capensis and S. sagax in the diet match the changing abundance of the species^7,9. Breeding site The nest consists of a mound with a cup-shaped depression in its centre⁶. It is made from guano, vegetation and other matter that can be scraped together⁵. Where no such material is available, eggs are laid on bare ground⁵. .

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Food shortage, following the collapse of the Namibian sardine fishery, has been the main cause of declines. In Namibia anchovies only temporarily and partially replace sardines in the diet when the latter becomes scarce⁹. Oil-spills are also a serious threat: c.5,000 M. capensis were oiled during an incident in 1993. Guano collection may decrease breeding success, inhibit some birds from laying and reduce the effective breeding season. The Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus displaced M. capensis from Hollam's Bird Island, although a programme to discourage seals on Mercury Island was largely effective². Predation by A. pusillus accounted for the loss of 83% of the overall production of fledglings at Malgas Island in 2003/04 and 57% ion 2005/06⁸, and caused the abandonment of a colony at Lambert's bay in 2005/2006⁹. Other threats include predation by Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus which are a significant threat on chicks in Malgas Island¹¹, by-catch during longline fishing, exploitation for food in southern Angola, nesting habitat degradation by excessive guano removal and flooding of nests during storms³.

Major Threat(s):

Food shortage, following the collapse of the Namibian sardine fishery, has been the main cause of declines. In Namibia anchovies only temporarily and partially replace sardines in the diet when the latter becomes scarce⁹. Oil-spills are also a serious threat: c.5,000 M. capensis were oiled during an incident in 1993. Guano collection may decrease breeding success, inhibit some birds from laying and reduce the effective breeding season. The Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus displaced M. capensis from Hollam's Bird Island, although a programme to discourage seals on Mercury Island was largely effective². Predation by A. pusillus accounted for the loss of 83% of the overall production of fledglings at Malgas Island in 2003/04 and 57% ion 2005/06⁸, and caused the abandonment of a colony at Lambert's bay in 2005/2006⁹. Other threats include predation by Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus which are a significant threat on chicks in Malgas Island¹¹, by-catch during longline fishing, exploitation for food in southern Angola, nesting habitat degradation by excessive guano removal and flooding of nests during storms³.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In South Africa, Lambert's Bay and Bird Island are nature reserves and Malgas Island is within West Coast National Park. In Namibia, the three breeding islands are administered by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. All six islands have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBAs)¹. Oiled birds are rehabilitated with success in South Africa, and the species is protected by law. Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Develop and implement a sustainable, coordinated fisheries plan for the region. Develop measures to prevent oilspills from illegal cleaning of ship tanks.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In South Africa, Lambert's Bay and Bird Island are nature reserves and Malgas Island is within West Coast National Park. In Namibia, the three breeding islands are administered by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. All six islands have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBAs)¹. Oiled birds are rehabilitated with success in South Africa, and the species is protected by law.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Develop and implement a sustainable, coordinated fisheries plan for the region. Develop measures to prevent oilspills from illegal cleaning of ship tanks.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Morus capensis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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