Our biologist Prof. Eduardo Secchi, together with other scientists, has published an article on the dietary habits of the South American fur seal(Arctocephalus australis) and the Subantarctic fur seal(Arctocephalus tropicalis). The study shows how the diets of these two species have changed over the years, with the animals partially switching their diet from fish to squid. This is likely due to the progressive overfishing of their prey fish by industrial fisheries. In addition, increased ingestion of marine debris, especially flexible plastic material, by the animals has been noted. The previous long-term study for this article was supported by YAQU PACHA. For YAQU PACHA, scientific findings are the most important basis for the elaboration of sustainable species protection measures.
de Lima et al. (2023) Feeding habits of South American and sub-Antarctic fur seals.