Cape Gannet Welfare: Sardine Run and Fishing Interactions

Cape gannets depend critically on the South African sardine run and face welfare impacts from longline and trawl bycatch as industrial fishing depletes prey fish stocks.

Key Facts

Cape gannets are colonial seabirds breeding on six islands off South Africa and Namibia
They depend heavily on sardines, anchovies, and other small pelagic fish for chick provisioning
The South African sardine run is a critical annual foraging event for Cape gannets
Longline bycatch kills thousands of Cape gannets annually as they dive for hooked fish
Trawl bycatch in purse seine fisheries kills gannets entangled in nets around fishing vessels

Welfare Considerations

Cape gannets injured or killed by fishing gear experience acute welfare impacts from entanglement, drowning, or traumatic injury from hooks. Birds that escape entanglement may be too injured to hunt effectively, leading to starvation. Prey depletion from industrial fisheries reduces food availability for gannet chicks, causing starvation and reduced fledgling mass. The combination of direct bycatch mortality and indirect prey depletion creates comprehensive welfare pressure on this vulnerable seabird.

What You Can Do

Support implementation of bycatch mitigation measures on South African longiners
Advocate for sustainable management of South African and Namibian small pelagic fish stocks
Donate to SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa seabird conservation and rehabilitation
Report injured Cape gannets to seabird rehabilitation organisations
Raise awareness about seabird bycatch in commercial fishing among seafood consumers