Satellite tracking Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) in South Australia

Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) are key predators on small pelagic fishes in the shelf waters of the eastern Great Australian Bight (EGAB) and gulfs of South Australia. Investigation into the diet and foraging ecology of Little Penguins in South Australia is an essential part of understanding the trophodynamics of the ecosystem supporting Australia’s largest volume fishery, the South Australian Pilchard fishery (TAC for 2005 51,100 t). Satellite trackers were attached to breeding Little Penguins in July 2004 to track fishing trips. The aim of the study was to establish whether local waters surrounding breeding colonies were able to provide sufficient fish fed for penguins in the height of the breeding season. Results from island 
colonies in the EGAB, the Spencer Gulf and the Gulf St Vincent showed distinct differences in foraging 
trip lengths and distances travelled. Birds from an offshore island in the EGAB travelled up to 118km 
away and trip lengths extended to 12 days. All birds foraged east, towards the mainland. This compared with penguins in the Gulf St Vincent where most foraging trips lasted one day and birds only travelled up to 16km from the colony, generally in a northerly direction. Birds from the Spencer Gulf travelled 25km to the North East. Penguins from the EGAB were significantly smaller than birds from other colonies and differences also existed in their diving behaviour, breeding and diet. The need for long foraging trips suggests that sufficient food was lacking in the near vicinity of the EGAB colony and that the colony may 
be affected by small pelagic fish availability in the entire EGAB shelf off South Western Eyre Peninsula.