Responses to matters raised in document MARAM/IWS/DEC14/Peng/A4

The effect of fishing on Robben Island penguins inferred from the Weller et al. (2014) model could range from negligible to enormous dependent entirely on what values are assigned to its parameters. Virtually no defensible justification for the values of key penguin reproduction and survival parameters, previously indicated as having been informed by “Expert opinion”, has been provided. Until such justification might be furnished satisfactorily, the approach would seem to be insufficiently developed to provide any reliable input for tactical scientific recommendations on penguin management.