The present proposal is aimed to estimate the mortality rates of the Humboldt penguin near its major breeding sites in Peru. The Humboldt penguin, Sphenicus humboldti, is classified “Endangered” by the IUCN. The species current status is by far the result of interactions with human activities. interactions with fishery results in mortality and may be an important cause for the decrease in population size. However, information on the fishery interactions with Humboldt penguins in other major breeding sites is lacking.

During beach combings in the period 1999 - 2007 in the Paracas National Reserve for cetacean strandings, the author of the present proposal observed large numbers of Humboldt penguins stranded along the beach. The present status of the seabird populations in Paracas is unknown, however over fishing of prey species and fishery interaction to seabirds may results in the decrease in the number of individuals in the population and oceanic events such El Niño may also contribute to population declines. Studies based on penguin strandings will contribute to a better understanding of mortality rates due to fishery interactions or El Niño oceanic events on the Humboldt penguin population in Peru At present continuous census has been carried out for Humboldt penguins, however the number of penguins than die as result with human interactions that may impact on the viability of the population is unknown. Information retrieved through this project will be available to authorities and other groups interested in Humboldt penguin conservation in Peru.