How The Sardine Fishery Affects African Penguins

Graphic © WWF

There are various reasons for the decline of the African penguin such as predation, oil spills and habitat loss, but a major impact is the overfishing of South Africa’s sardine stocks. One of the most critical reasons for the endangered status of the African penguin is the lack of adequate food availability whose diet consists mainly of sardines and anchovies. Penguins are having to travel further distances to find food and are often having to abandon their chicks and eggs due to not being able to provide them with sufficient nourishment. Only 5% of the total African penguin population remains and scientific estimates suggest that the African penguin could be functionally extinct as early as 2035 without drastic intervention.

Read the full report on "THE HIDDEN COSTS OF YOUR SEAFOOD" by WWF here