The little penguin population which breeds on Penguin Island is genetically distinct and in decline. In 2007 there were between and little penguins on Penguin Island during breeding months. By 2011, the number had dropped to about . Penguins have been observed taking longer foraging trips leading to chick malnutrition and starvation. Prey depletion and climate change are considered to be major pressures on the breeding population. A proposal to construct a marina at Point Peron is also considered a future threat.