How anchovy and sardine population collapses are causing mass starvation welfare events for African penguins.
African penguin welfare is being severely compromised by the industrial-scale removal of their primary prey from foraging waters surrounding breeding colonies. Anchovies and sardines that historically supported large penguin populations have been displaced by changing ocean temperatures and depleted by commercial fishing. Breeding adults forced to travel beyond economical foraging distances return to colonies too depleted to adequately feed their chicks. Chick starvation — a prolonged welfare harm — has become a mass mortality event in poor prey years. Dynamic ocean closures that restrict purse seine fishing around colonies during breeding season provide the most direct welfare relief.