IUCN SSC Penguin Specialist Group

2019 Report

Pablo García-Borboroglu P. Dee Boersma

Co-Chairs Mission statement Research activities: (1) publish a paper with the Pablo García-Borboroglu (1) The mission of the IUCN SSC Penguin Specialist most recent update on the ecology and conser- P. Dee Boersma (2) Group (PSG) is to provide scientific advice that vation of all penguin species; (2) identify priority informs policy and engages people in effective areas of research needed; (3) identify the three Red List Authority Coordinator conservation action. penguin species in most critical need of help; (4) publish a paper on the priority conservation Pablo García-Borboroglu (1) and research needs for all species and the iden- Projected impact for the 2017-2020 tification of three species in need of most help. Location/Affiliation quadrennium (1) Plan Global Penguin Society and CONICET, The disconcerting and rapid population Planning: (1) convene a meeting of the PSG Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina decreases reported for most of the world’s (2) Steering Committee focused on catalysing a Wild Department of Biology, University penguin species will be reversed only through Penguins in Perpetuity Conservation Strategy; of Washington, Seattle, Washington, US immediate and affirmative action on the part of (2) convene a meeting of the PSG Steering the global community of researchers, govern- Committee to define priorities for global penguin Number of members mental entities, conservation organisations, conservation prior to the International Penguin 53 fisheries’ managers and the general public. If Congress in New Zealand; (3) define priority we address the identified threats, undertake conservation actions needed. Social networks priority research needs using an interdisci- Policy: (1) hold a Steering Committee meeting in Twitter: @IUCNPenguin plinary and integrated approach, and begin to May 2018 to define priorities for global penguin implement appropriate conservation actions, conservation; (2) hold a Steering Committee management could perhaps slow or stop the meeting in August 2019 to update the status of observed decreases in penguin populations. PSG, suggest new members and define future We wish to call attention to the plight of this goals. important and charismatic taxonomic group, whose dire situation is a clear reflection of Network the current escalating crisis facing the world’s Membership: continue to add expert members marine ecosystems and as indicators of future as needed. global warming scenarios. Synergy: (1) convene a meeting of the PSG Steering Committee to update on the progress Targets for the 2017-2020 quadrennium made since our last meeting in New Zealand in September 2019; (2) convene virtual meetings Assess with Steering Committee members in June and Red List: (1) complete assessment of Little November 2020. Penguin (Eudyptula minor); (2) reassess Red List status of penguin species. Communicate Communication: (1) start process to design the Specialist Group official website; (2) start process to elaborate the logo of the Specialist Group. Adelie Swimming Photo: John Weller

King Penguins Photo: Ellen Pikitch

Magellanic Penguin San Lorenzo colony, Penguin Specialist Group members the largest one on the Planet visiting Yellow-eyed penguin breeding area Photo: Pablo G. Borboroglu at Katiki Point, New Zealand Photo: Pablo G. Borboroglu

Activities and results 2019 Plan Acknowledgements

Assess Planning The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Red List i. A meeting of the PSG Steering Committee Penguin Specialist Group (PSG) thanks the Chair focused on catalysing a Wild Penguins in Perpe- of the SSC, J.P. Rodriguez, and the Director i. The template of the Little Penguin and its tuity Conservation Strategy was held in Florida, of Oversight and Conservation Outcomes, assessment was completed together with the US. The meeting took place in White Oaks and R. Hoffmann. The Deep Aquarium provided rest of the penguin species. (KSR #1) we made progress on all the goals defined. funding for this workshop and K. Mileham, IUCN ii. We coordinated the process to update the (KSR #15, 18) SSC Director of Strategic Partnerships, helped Red List templates for all the penguin species. ii. The highest ranked conservation action to secure funding. White Oak Conservation (KSR #1) needs defined were to enhance marine Center provided the venue for the IUCN SSC Research activities spatial planning, improve stakeholder engage- PSG meeting. The Global Penguin Society, as the i. Article published in Conservation Biology: ment, and develop disaster–management and IUCN SSC PSG partner organisation, supports Boersma, P.D., et al. (2019). Applying science species–specific action plans. (KSR #15) meetings and workshops of the Steering to pressing conservation needs for penguins. Policy Committee. We owe our sincere appreciation Conservation Biology 34:103–112. [DOI: 10.1111/ to our many collaborators, who contributed in i. We organised a meeting of the Steering cobi.13378] (KSR #32) many different ways. Committee members and an open workshop ii. Among the 12 cross–taxa research areas as a side event of the International Penguin we identified, we ranked quantifying popula- Congress 2019. (KSR #26) Summary of activities 2019 tion trends, estimating demographic rates, fore- Components of Species Conservation Cycle: 3/5 casting environmental patterns of change, and Network improving the knowledge of fisheries interac- Membership Assess 5 ||||| tions as the highest priorities. (KSR #12) i. We are constantly reassessing the composi- Plan 3 ||| iii. Three species were unanimously voted tion of our membership and their contribution Network 1 | as international priorities: African Penguin to the group; we decided to start elaborating a Main KSRs addressed: 1, 12, 15, 18, 26, 32, 43 (Spheniscus demersus), Galápagos Penguin list of new members that would be reassessed KSR: Key Species Result (Spheniscus mendiculus), and Yellow–eyed in March 2020 before invitations are sent. Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). (KSR #43)