South Otago Forest & Bird members held twin events at the Kākā Point Surf Lifesaving Club and the Kākā Point Market Day this month, designed to spread the word about the cliff-edge situation in which the endangered species finds itself.
Department of Conservation (Doc) data shows the northern hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin population (South Island and Rakiura/Stewart Island) has collapsed by 80% since 2008, from 739 breeding pairs to just 143.
In September, the government initiated a commercial set-netting fishing ban around the Otago Peninsula, in an effort to reduce penguin bycatch, one of several threats the species faces.
South Otago Forest & Bird co-chairperson Jane Young said, although the recent Catlins events showed the message was getting through, more remained to be done to address the critical situation for the distinctive southern species.
"It was great to see the young people of our local surf lifesaving club so engaged, and the high level of interest at the market day in our model penguin on life support.
"Although awareness of the plight of the hoiho is increasing, there are still some people who don’t know what’s happening, and just how important it is for us to be taking action right now."
Mrs Young said the group would continue to hold similar events.
"We hope to have the ban on set-netting extended into the Catlins, so I would say the plight of the hoiho will be a key focus for our group this year."
