Which fish species replaced Red Cod as the dominant prey item for Hoiho since the 1990s?
Answer
Blue Cod
A significant dietary shift has been documented in mainland Yellow-Eyed Penguin populations over the last thirty years. Historically, Red Cod (*Pseudophycis bachus*) constituted the dominant portion of their diet by both frequency and biomass. However, studies indicate that since the 1990s, this has been substantially replaced by Blue Cod (*Parapercis colias*). This shift is hypothesized to be driven by external pressures impacting Red Cod availability, likely related to commercial fishing activity.
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