The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), once a common sight along the southern African coastline, is now facing what conservationists increasingly describe as a fight for survival.

New rules have been introduced to oversee offshore ship-to-ship transfers of liquid cargo, such as chemicals, oil, petroleum products, and liquid natural gas, along with ship refueling. According to the environment department, these measures are designed to safeguard the critically endangered African penguin and other marine species.