PENGUINS, PIZZA FANS IN FOR ANCHOVY TREAT

SOUTH African pizza lovers who enjoy a generous topping of anchovy are in luck. South Africa’s anchovy population is at its highest recorded level and the government has decided to boost the total allowable catch for the 2001 season by 207% to 378_000 tonnes. The Environmental Affairs and Tourism Ministry said the rising anchovy population would benefit predators such as the African penguin, found only in southern Africa and whose numbers have fallen to around 150_000. Most of the commercial catch is used for fish oil and fishmeal but some makes its way directly onto pizzas and other delicacies for human consumption. – Reuters