Editing Humboldt Current (section)

== Fisheries ==
The Humboldt current produces some of the most successful commercial [[fisheries]] in the world.<ref name=":0" /> The major catches include: [[sardine]]s, [[anchovy|anchovies]], [[mackerel]], [[hake]], and [[squid]]. Three major stocks of [[anchoveta]] are distributed between 4°S and 42°S within the Humboldt Current System.  North-central Peru's fishery is primarily composed of one stock of anchoveta. Sardines, [[chub mackerel]], and [[bonito]] are also common catches, but not as prominent, in Peru.<ref name=":0" /> Southern Peru and Northern Chile host a major sardine fishery. Other common stocks include: a second anchoveta stock, [[jack mackerel]], [[tuna]], and [[swordfish]]. Anchoveta, jack mackerel, and sardines are the primary commercial stocks in central Chile.

Anchoveta are found in more recently upwelled waters, close to the coast. Sardines, on the other hand, are typically found farther offshore.<ref name=":0" /> Seasonal upwelling plays a major role in the spawning behaviors of both sardines and anchoveta. By spawning at the end of winter, egg and larval survival is greatly enhanced. This is due to the moderate upwelling, which causes lower turbulence, as well as a weakened Ekman drift offshore. These two species experience population shifts related to climate changes and environmental events such as [[El Niño]]. This is due to changes in the availability of each species habitat. Anchoveta are an important component in the diets of marine mammals, seabirds, and larger fish. Shifts in these populations ultimately cause a shift in the energy processing within the Humboldt Current System.<ref name=":0" />

Jack mackerel (jurel) is the second largest fishery in the Humboldt Current System.<ref name=":0" /> As with the anchoveta in Peru, this species is believed to be composed of a single stock. Jurel are a straddling species. This means the species is found both within and outside of the 200-mile economic exclusive zone. Jurel became an important fishery in the 1970s to alleviate the pressure put on the anchoveta stock. During the 1980s, however, the jurel decreased in population size due to poor recruitment and [[overfishing]]. Restrictions of jurel fishing were imposed in 1998 which led to regrowth of the population. Since 2002, the jurel population is now under full exploitation.<ref name=":0" />

Between 1993 and 2008, the hake fishery in Peru declined significantly.<ref name=":0" /> This was due to overfishing, environmental stress, and decreased reproductive capacity. The Chilean hake population in central-south Chile catch exceeded 100,000 tons, and dropped to 40,000 tons in 2007.<ref name=":0" />