Incidental mortality of humboldt penguins spheniscus humboldti in Gill Nets, Central Chile

Mortality of Humboldt Penguins Spheniscus humboldti drowned in gill nets is documented for the Valparaiso Region, central Chile, based on sampling and reports from local fishermen. Between 1991 and 1996 at least 605 Humboldt Penguins died in gill nets set for 'corvina' Cilus gilberti, an average of 120 birds per year. Lesser numbers of other seabirds, including Magellanic Penguins S. magellanicus, Red-legged Cormorants Phalacrocorax gaimardi and Guanay Cormorants P. bougainvillii were killed. Drownings occur mainly during winter (June to August), reducing the population prior to the spring breeding season. Drowning kills adults from the two major colonies of Humboldt Penguins in central Chile, Cachagua and Pájaro Niño. Entanglement of Humboldt Penguins in fishing nets has been reported for other sites in Chile and Perú, suggesting similar mortality along most of the species' range.