Ospreys wintering in Africa and South America depend on productive fisheries and protected wetlands that are threatened by overexploitation and development.
Ospreys wintering in areas with depleted fish populations must expend more energy per successful hunt or travel further to find adequate prey. Poor winter nutritional status affects survival and breeding success in the following season. Protecting the full annual cycle of osprey welfare requires not just breeding habitat protection but also conservation of winter quarters and the fish populations both depend on.