The global picture: Penguins as ambassadors for conservation

GARCÍA BORBOROGLU, PABLO; BOERSMA, P. DEE

Victoria

Congreso; 2nd International Marine Conservation Congress; 2011

Society for Conservation Biology

The fragile conservation status of most penguin populations mirrors the Southern Oceans condition and the world?s oceans problems. Variations in ecosystem structure, processes, and productivity, caused mainly by climate change, pollution, and fisheries mismanagement impoverish living systems. Penguins are impacted by these alterations and can serve as cost-effective indicators of the health of the oceans, providing insight into the magnitude and location of marine conservation needs. As charismatic, seascape species, penguins can increase awareness of ocean health, causing reconsideration of policies and behaviors harming penguins. Penguin also can foster public and political support for integrated ocean conservation. The Global Penguin Society, a new international, science-based conservation coalition, is dedicated to the survival and protection of the world´s penguin species. GPS has three inter-related components: science, management and education. GPS seeks to integrate synergistically research and conservation groups, speeding penguin and ocean conservation efforts. The coalition supports science needed for the conservation and adequate management of penguins and marine environments at local and global scales. GPS helps assessing the status of penguin populations, educating and advising governments and communities, linking people to policy, promoting and helping consolidate marine conservation initiatives, and campaigning through the media to make a change for ocean conservation for and through the penguins.