Peruvian anchoveta

Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is a small schooling fish native to the southeastern Pacific. Its enormous populations support one of the world’s largest fisheries and a major marine food web.

Engraulidae: Engraulidae is the fish family that includes anchovies. Peruvian anchoveta is a member of this family of small, schooling fishes.
El Niño: El Niño is the warm phase of a recurring climate pattern in the tropical Pacific. Warm conditions can weaken upwelling and disrupt anchoveta habitat and food supply.
Peruvian anchoveta fishery: The Peruvian anchoveta fishery harvests Engraulis ringens mainly for fishmeal and fish oil. It is the principal commercial use of the species.
Guano-producing seabirds: Guano-producing seabirds are coastal birds whose accumulated droppings have been harvested as fertilizer. Anchoveta are a major prey source for seabirds that produce Peru’s guano.
Southeastern Pacific: The southeastern Pacific is the ocean region off western South America. This is the anchoveta’s native marine range.
Southern Oscillation: The Southern Oscillation is a shift in atmospheric pressure between the tropical western and eastern Pacific. Its coupling with ocean conditions helps drive El Niño effects on anchoveta waters.
Fishmeal: Fishmeal is protein-rich animal feed made by drying and grinding fish or fish-processing material. Most Peruvian anchoveta landings are processed into this globally traded feed ingredient.
Peruvian booby: The Peruvian booby is a seabird of the Humboldt Current region that feeds mainly on fish. Its breeding success depends in part on access to anchoveta.
Humboldt Current: The Humboldt Current is a cold ocean current flowing north along western South America. Its upwelling helps sustain the anchoveta’s productive habitat.
Primary production: Primary production is the creation of organic matter by photosynthetic organisms. Nutrient-driven production underpins the food available to anchoveta.

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