Initial Publication Date: August 12, 2008

Hot Topic: Effects of Climate Variability on Fisheries

Part B: Intermediate Variability: Anchovy Collapse

Most of the world's largest ocean fisheries are based on small fish such as anchovies and sardines. These species dominate in the highly productive upwelling regions along the coasts of California, Peru, the Canary Islands, and South Africa. These species are also common in other nutrient enriched areas such as those near Japan and Argentina. Populations of anchovies and sardines tend to expand rapidly when feeding and spawning conditions are favorable but are susceptible to rapid collapse when ocean conditions change.

  1. Examine the graph below of Peruvian anchovy catches from 1950-2017.

    Data for image from FAO.


    Checking In

    Answer the following questions to check your understanding of the information presented in the graph above.

    • What major trends do you see in Peruvian anchovy catches between 1950 and 2017?
    • What are some possible reasons for the low anchovy catches during the 1970s and 1980s?
  2. Read this passage about The Peruvian anchovy industry and El Niño

    Checking In

    Answer the following questions to check your understanding of the information presented in the passage about El Niño and the Peruvian anchovy industry.

    • What caused the 1972 anchovy collapse?
    • What were some of the consequences of the anchovy collapse?
    • What other effects has El Niño had on biospheric events worldwide?

Optional Extensions

An El Niño Fish Tale

Overfishing and El Niño Push the Anchoveta Fishery to a Critical Point

Global Fishing Watch monitors fisheries, including the anchovy fleet, using VMS. Click here to Track the Anchoveta Fishery

Timeline of the Anchoveta Fishery

Anchoveta are primarily used to produce fishmeal and fish oil. This Fact Sheet explores Why Feed, Not Food?

Article & Video Fishing Less Anchoveta Pays Off

Video Peru: Sustainable Fisheries