Romario's Seabirds Conservation

“To me, hope means being a visionary and believing you can achieve anything with resilience and self-determination. Only together can we create an everlasting legacy and leave something glorious for future generations.”

Hi! I’m Romario.

Nine years ago, when I was just six years old, I played the role of an Orca in a school production. Through that experience, I discovered the impact pollutants were having on marine life. That moment sparked something in me and led me to become an environmental activist, bird conservation artist, and the author of “Protect Our Planet – Take Action with Romario,” (published by Struik Nature), a guide showing how anyone can become an Earth guardian.   

Since 2020, I have supported conservation efforts for the Umgeni River Bird Sanctuary in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; Birds of Eden in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape; the Zeitz Foundation in Segera, Kenya; and BirdLife South Africa’s Mouse-Free Marion Project.

I’m also an ambassador for Ocean Sole and Youth for Lions South Africa. In 2022, I received the BirdLife South Africa Owlet Award, and in March 2025 I became a recipient of the WESSA Youth Environmental Award. I also received the 2024 Pick n Pay Hero Award.

This year I achieved my Phase One Certification as a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger in the Lowveld, which is epic! It allows me to continue my calling to “take care of nature” and protect our precious aquatic feathered friends. Seabirds are nutrient recyclers and play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

The Projects I’m Supporting

I’m supporting three important projects run by two incredible South African organisations:

• SANCCOB – saving the Critically Endangered African Penguin

• BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA -   
• The Albatross Task Force – protecting seabirds from fishing-related deaths
• The Mouse-Free Marion Project – protecting seabirds on Marion Island

All donations received will be divided equally between these three projects.

Saving the African Penguin – SANCCOB

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) rehabilitates seabirds, especially the African Penguin, from centres in the Eastern and Western Cape.

African Penguins face many threats, including shortages of prey, oil pollution, abandonment of chicks, underwater noise from shipping activity, habitat destruction, predation, and avian influenza. Today there are only around 8,000 breeding pairs left in the wild in South Africa, and SANCCOB plays a vital role in protecting these flightless seabirds.

Protecting Albatrosses – The Albatross Task Force

The Albatross Task Force (ATF) works to reduce seabird deaths caused by fishing gear. Since its launch in 2006, the ATF in South Africa has helped reduce seabird deaths by 90% in the trawl fishery industry.

They have also partnered with Imvelo Blue to implement monitoring technology that ensures bird-scaring lines are used by fisheries, helping keep seabirds safe from long-line and trawl fishing vessels.

Mouse-Free Marion Project

With the support of eco-buddies, family, and nature lovers, I have already helped sponsor 57 hectares of Marion Island for BirdLife South Africa and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Mouse-Free Marion Project.

This project aims to eradicate invasive house mice that are killing albatrosses and petrels on Marion Island. These mice were accidentally introduced by sealers more than two centuries ago and now threaten many seabird species with local extinction.

My goal is to sponsor 100 hectares of this 30,000-hectare sub-Antarctic island. The project’s Sponsor-a-Hectare initiative has already reached over 40% of its target, and your support can help protect these incredible birds.

Your support of these three projects will be greatly appreciated.

“To me, hope means being a visionary and believing you can achieve anything with resilience and self-determination. Only together can we create an everlasting legacy and leave something glorious for future generations.”

My campaign is hosted online by my mother on my behalf, as I’m only 14 years old.

You can also follow or contact me on X or, LinkedIn: @artistromario.

Share a link directly to the Romario's Seabirds Conservation campaign

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/romarios-seabirds-conservation