Anchovies swimming in a school. Anchovies are just one of the species of fish that are important to the economies of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (121 Kb) Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

If you like anchovies on your pizza, there is a good chance that the little fish now swimming in tomato sauce was once swimming in the water of the Southeastern Pacific (SEP) Ocean. The deep, cold, and nutrient-rich waters off the coasts of Chile and Peru make this region one of the most productive fisheries in the world.

Why are the waters in the SEP so suitable for fish production? The prevailing winds and the upwelling associated with the Humboldt Current bring very cold water from the depths of the ocean bottom to the sea surface. The deep waters are very rich in nutrients including nitrate and phosphate. When these nutrients are brought to the surface, they are utilized by phytoplankton resulting in high primary production. Phytoplankton is at the base of the oceanic food chain and when their numbers are large the result is an ecosystem abundant in zooplankton, fish, and other life.

Traditionally, the fishing industry has been important to the economies of Chile and Peru. The most abundant and important species are anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and whiting. In recent years, salmon production has increased to become economically important to the region. It is the world's largest producer of fish-meal, a protein-rich byproduct of the fisheries industry in aquaculture and for cattle feed.

In the past few decades, overfishing and El Nino events have led to serious declines in fish populations, which have hurt the economies of both Chile and Peru. Ocean temperatures are important to all types of fish. Anchovies thrive in cooler water so during El Nino events when the water is warmer, their numbers go down. Sardines are more tropical than anchovies and expand their ranges in warmer periods. Increased ocean temperatures resulting from global warming will not be favorable to anchovy; however, sardines may become dominant. One outcome of the VOCALS research will be to learn how changing climates could impact the fishing industry in the SEP.

Fish that spend their entire life cycle in the ocean are known as pelagic fish. Anchovies and sardines are types of pelagic fish. Other fish, such as salmon, are called anadromous fish. This type of fish is spawned in freshwater but spends most of its life in the ocean, returning to freshwater to reproduce. The health of the ocean is important to both pelagic and anadromous fish.

Anchovies swimming in a school. Anchovies are just one of the species of fish that are important to the economies of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (121 Kb) Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

If you like anchovies on your pizza, there is a good chance that the little fish now swimming in tomato sauce was once swimming in the Southeast Pacific Ocean. It was probably caught off the coasts of Peru or Chile in South America. The ocean in that area has a lot of nutrients which produce lots of fish. This area is one of the most important areas for catching fish in the world.

Why do fish thrive in the Southeast Pacific Ocean? It is because of the strong winds and the upwelling from the Humboldt Current. This current brings very cold water from deep in the ocean up to the surface. The waters in the deep ocean have a lot of nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. When these nutrients come to the ocean surface they are taken up by tiny phytoplankton. Lots of nutrients mean lots of phytoplankton. The phytoplankton are at the base of the ocean food chain. If lots of phytoplankton are available as a food source, the result will be many fish and other marine life in that area.

The fishing industry has always been important to Chile and Peru. The most important species of fish are anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and salmon.

Ocean temperatures are important to all types of fish. Anchovies like cooler water so when an El Nino event happens and the ocean water is warmer, they don't do as well. Sardines like warmer water. If the temperature of the ocean goes up due to climate change, there will probably be more sardines than anchovies. One part of the VOCALS research will be to learn how changing climates might affect the fish in the Southeast Pacific Ocean.

Fish that spend all of their lives in the ocean are called pelagic fish. Anchovies and sardines are types of pelagic fish. Salmon are called anadromous fish. This type of fish starts its life in freshwater but spends most of its life in the ocean.

Anchovies swimming in a school. Anchovies are just one of the species of fish that are important to the economies of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (121 Kb) Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

Do you like anchovies on your pizza? Many anchovies come from the Southeast Pacific Ocean near Chile and Peru. In fact, there are lots of different types of fish in this part of the world.

Why are there so many fish in the Southeast Pacific Ocean? It is because of the strong winds and ocean currents. The currents bring very cold water from deep in the ocean up to the surface. The waters in the deep ocean have a lot of nutrients. When these nutrients come up to the ocean surface they are used by tiny phytoplankton. Lots of nutrients mean lots of phytoplankton. And lots of phytoplankton means there will be plenty of food for fish to eat.

In Chile and Peru, the most important species of fish are anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and salmon. Ocean temperatures are important to all types of fish. Anchovies do best when the water is cooler. Sardines like it better when the water is warmer. If the temperature of the ocean goes up because of climate change, there will probably be more sardines and less anchovies. One part of the VOCALS science will be to learn how changing climates might change the kinds of fish in the Southeast Pacific Ocean.