Against the fishing of anchovies in favor of penguins

2007/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia
• Ekologia
• Ingurumena

Ecologist Elizabeth Skewgar has shown her concern for the penguins of Punta Tombo in Patagonia, in a paper published in the journal Science. Located near the peninsula of Punta Tombo Valdés, in summer the largest penguin colony of Magallanes meets to reproduce among the bushes. However, within a few years, Skewgar warns of the danger that the penguin population will be much lower due to anchovy fishing.

Anchovy is the basic food of penguins and many other animals that inhabit their environment. But in 2003 the experimental fishing of anchovies was authorized in the proximities. So far there has been no overfishing, so the fishing of anchovies has not influenced the population of penguins. However, Skewgar fears that in the future they will go fishing much more, as demand continues to grow.

According to Skewgar, it is convenient to take steps to protect the environment. Before being late.