A bioenergetics model assessment of the prey consumption of macaroni penguins in Subarea 48.3

We report on preliminary analyses to estimate macaroni penguin consumption of prey in Subarea 48.3 during the period when penguins are constrained by breeding. We show that the greatest levels of consumption occur during incubation and pre-moult, but that there are also evident increases towards the end of guard and the end of crèche. Our initial results indicate that levels of krill consumption are comparable with some previously reported estimates, but with some important differences. This work represents a collaborative study by scientists working through WG-EMM-STAPP. We propose that similar such analyses should be undertaken for the other krill-eating penguin species breeding in Area 48, and that such analyses are best undertaken collaboratively.