Penguin Island is at a critical point, with a 94% decline in the penguin population since 2007.

Dawn Jecks from Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins explains to Perth Today host Simon Beaumont that authorities should have restricted tourists on the island 10 years ago.

“We could have avoided closing the island a decade ago if we had done what the scientists and the marine park recommended, but nothing was done,” she said.

Simon also spoke to Chad D’Souza from Perth Wildlife Encounters, who agrees the issue is dire but defends the importance of tourism.

“Tourism is a major factor in the education of wildlife,” he said.

Click PLAY for the full discussion.