Spatial use of multiple jurisdictions by Magellanic penguins and assessment of potential conflicts in the face of changing trawl fisheries scenarios

YORIO, P; SUÁREZ, N; DELL ARCIPRETE, P; MARINAO, C; GÓNGORA, ME; PICHEGRU, L; PROSDOCIMI, L; KASINSKY, T

MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES

INTER-RESEARCH

Lugar: Oldendorf/Luhe; Año: 2021 vol. 658 p. 219 - 236

0171-8630

Seabirds often have wide distribution ranges and may travel relatively long distancesto breeding grounds, often crossing jurisdictional boundaries. When engaged in foraging be -haviour, seabirds are prone to interact with different fisheries and suffer incidental mortality. Weassessed the spatial use of foraging Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus breeding at 3colonies within the Patagonia Austral Marine Park (San Jorge Gulf, Argentina) in relation to differentjurisdictions. We also quantified their spatial overlap with 3 trawl fisheries and bycatch (incidentalmortality), an interaction previously reported in the region. Breeding Magellanic penguinsmainly used waters under provincial jurisdiction within the gulf, with some use of federal watersdepending on the breeding season and colony location. Spatial use by breeding penguins resultedin a variable but relatively low overlap with the operations of the 3 fishing fleets in 2014−2016(1.1−26.3%). Changes in the spatial distribution of fishing operations in recent years resulted in alower overlap than in 2005−2007 (12.1−60.8%). Incidental mortality during 2008−2014 was alsovariable and relatively low (0.0−0.363 birds per haul). Breeding Magellanic penguins foraged outsideprotected area boundaries where they can spatially overlap with and face potential threatsfrom different fishing fleets that operate in waters of provincial and/or federal jurisdiction. Despitethe current low spatial overlap, the relatively fast changes in fishing patterns in the recent pastdraw attention to the need for continuous monitoring. Data obtained in this study may prove valuablein case the implementation of spatial and temporal closures of fishing operations is needed.