The krill fishery off Antarctica has experienced a significant surge this year, prompting the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to close the fishing season five months early. This increase followed the lifting of geographic restrictions on fishing, which allowed vessels to concentrate their efforts in small, productive areas favored by marine predators like whales and seals.
In just the first half of the year, the krill catch reached 620,000 tonnes, surpassing the total of 500,000 tonnes for the entire previous season. This concentrated fishing has raised concerns about the impact on the Southern Ocean’s ecosystem. Dr. Johnny Briggs from the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy emphasized the need for CCAMLR to adopt precautionary, ecosystem-based management to maintain its credibility at the upcoming October meeting.
Krill is in high demand for fishmeal, pet food, and dietary supplements, intensifying competition for this crucial food source among marine life. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) warned that increased fishing poses risks to krill predators, including whales, penguins, and seals, even at lower catch levels than seen this year.
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