Foraging zones of Macaroni Penguins breeding at Heard Island

Project aim

With a population of about 2 million pairs macaroni penguins are the most abundant penguin in the HIMI region. These birds feed on mesopelagic fish and, to a lesser extent, mackeral icefish. Despite their great abundance and comparatively proximate links in the food chain to the toothfish fishery, virtually nothing is known about the foraging ecology of macaroni penguins at HIMI. This will identify which regions of the ocean Macaroni penguins use as foraging areas, and in combination with diet studies quantify the potential for competition with fisheries operations in the HIMI region.