Penguins go local for Cornish sardines

August 2026

Media release from Seafish:

Penguins go local as Cornish sardines added to the menu at Paradise Park

Penguins at Paradise Park in Cornwall are enjoying a taste of the local catch thanks to a switch to sardines caught just 10 miles away, replacing imported fish with a more sustainable Cornish alternative.

Sardines had been the dish of choice for the park’s penguins until the local supplier of many years retired and a change was made to importing frozen sprats from the Netherlands.

But when local fisherman Tom Lambourn visited and overheard a keeper say the penguins loved sardines, he saw an opportunity to put a local solution in place.

Although stocks of sardines had been depleted where Humboldt’s Penguins live wild, around Cornwall Tom knew they were available and that a regular supply could be arranged.

The idea was welcomed and the park will now take around two to three tonnes of Cornish sardines a year from Tom to feed its penguins, meaning the birds can enjoy a meal caught just 10 miles away rather than fish transported across Europe.

Tom said: “When I heard the penguins loved sardines but that the park thought they couldn’t get them, I thought, ‘Well, I might be able to help with that.’

“It’s great to see a local catch being used locally, and even better knowing that the penguins are clearly very happy with the arrangement.

“They’ve got excellent taste!”

ABOVE: Head of Softbills Becky Waite feeds the penguins freshly caught Cornish Sardines from local fisherman Tom Lambourn.

There are currently 26 penguins at Paradise Park including famous old girl Spneb who at 38-years-old is believed to be the oldest Humboldt’s Penguin in the world.

When she celebrated her birthday recently, she did so by enjoying her favourite dish – some Cornish sardines.

David Woolcock, Curator at Paradise Park said: “We’re delighted to be sourcing sardines locally for our penguins.

“It’s a great example of how a simple conversation can lead to a really positive change.

“The sardines are caught just a short distance away and the penguins absolutely love them.”

ABOVE from left: Paradise Park Curator David Woolcott, local fisherman Tom Lambourn, Gus Caslake Seafish Industry Engagement  Manager – South West England.

Sardines are known as a tasty and nutritious dish for humans, they’re full of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins B12 and D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, potassium, and zinc.

Gus Caslake, Seafish Industry Engagement Manager for South West England and Chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, added that sardines caught locally are sustainable and meet the highest quality standards so can be enjoyed by humans and our feathered friends for a long time to come.

He said: “This is a brilliant example of a local catch staying local, reducing the need to transport fish long distances and showcasing the quality of the Cornish sardine.

“Cornish sardines are Marine Stewardship Council certified which verifies seafood has come from a fishery which meets strict environmental benchmarks and is fully traceable throughout the supply chain.

“With sardines being primarily for human consumption, this means people can be confident they are eating the highest quality, sustainable and healthy seafood from UK waters.”

Those visiting the park to see the penguins can now also enjoy a new information board, created in partnership with Cornish sardine fishermen, which has been installed next to their pool.

The board features even more fun facts about the health and other benefits of feeding the penguins with the locally caught sardines.

BELOW: Seafish Industry Engagement Manager, Gus Caslake, explains about the new fresh diet for penguins in Paradise Park

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Lionesse the penguin
Becky Waite, Head of Softbills at Paradise Park adds “We were delighted to name one of this years penguin chicks ‘Lyonesse’ after fisherman Tom Lambourn’s fishing vessel. When you visit you can look out for her flipper band number 10329 which is on her right flipper. ”