We estimate the total abundance of Adélie penguins foraging in Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2 and provide preliminary estimates of krill consumed by breeding Adélie penguins in these Divisions using a newly developed bio-energetics model. Our estimate of ~6 million Adélie penguins substantially revises known abundance upwards by including the large non-breeding population and estimating a larger breeding population than was evident from previous work. The population of breeding Adélie penguins was estimated to consume 193,300 (57,700 – 313,700) tonnes of krill during a breeding season (November (arrival) to March (end of moult)). We are currently extending the prey consumption model to estimate the amount of krill consumed by non-breeding Adélie penguins and consumption for the entire population including breeders and non-breeders outside the breeding season.
Krill consumption by Adélie penguins in CCAMLR Divisions 58.4.1 and 58.4.2
Document Number:
WG-EMM-16/65
Submitted By:
Dr Colin Southwell (Australia)
Approved By:
Ms Doro Forck (CCAMLR Secretariat)
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Abstract