Evaluation of populations of chinstrap and gentoo penguins at Cierva Cove (ASPA N° 132). Is this site an appropriate control area for non-fishing effects?

We present new censuses data for a suite of chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and gentoo (P. papua) penguin colonies in the Cierva Cove region of the Danco Coast, including ASPA No. 134. Data indicate an overall increase in breeding population size of chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Given positive population growth in recent years in this rapidly changing environment and a position within Area 48 that is, relatively speaking, lightly fished, we suggest that the Cierva Cove colonies provide an opportunity to explore how monitoring data can provide useful contrasts to other monitoring sites with more fishing activity.