Krill fishing banned across much of the Antarctic under new deal

Stocks of the tiny crustaceans - consumed in vast quantities by whales, penguins and seals - have fallen drastically.

By Russell Hope, news reporter

Tuesday 10 July 2018 12:41, UK

Krill
Image: Krill fishing has been voluntarily banned in parts of the Antarctic by the firms behind 85% of the business
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A deal to ban the fishing of krill across large parts of the Antarctic has been welcomed by conservationists as "bold and progressive".

The five firms making up the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting (ARK), from Norway, Chile, South Korea and China, have agreed to stop fishing the tiny crustaceans in sensitive coastal parts of the frozen continent.

The total area where the ban will apply will reportedly constitute the world's biggest ocean sanctuary.

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Stocks of krill, which are consumed in vast quantities by whales, penguins and seals, have fallen drastically due to climate change and industrial-scale fishing, potentially endangering the delicate ecological balance of the region and its larger predators.

View of Yankee Harbour in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, on March 06, 2016. Waddling over the rocks, legions of penguins hurl themselves into the icy waters of Antarctica, foraging to feed their young. Like seals and whales, they eat krill, an inch-long shrimp-like crustacean that forms the basis of the Southern Ocean food chain. But penguin-watchers say the krill are getting scarcer in the western Antarctic peninsula, under threat from climate change and fishing. AFP PHOTO/EITAN ABRAMO
Image: Yankee Harbour in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

"Our members agree that the industry must develop sustainably to ensure long-term viability of the krill stocks and the predators that depend on it," ARK said in a statement.

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"Today, we are moving forward with a pioneer initiative, implementing voluntary restricted zones for the krill fishery in the Antarctic Peninsula."

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The move follows a campaign backed by 1.7m people and led by conservation group Greenpeace, which welcomed the initiative.

"This is a bold and progressive response from these krill fishing companies, and we hope to see the remainder of the krill industry follow suit," said Greenpeace spokesman Phil Vine.

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"The momentum for protection of the Antarctic's waters and wildlife is snowballing," he added.

Danger Islands Expedition Image (9): “Nesting Adélie penguins, Danger Islands, Antarctica” Pic: Michael Polito, © Louisiana State University
Image: Nesting Adélie penguins on Danger Islands, Antarctica. Pic: Michael Polito, © Louisiana State University

Krill, a protein-rich shrimp-like crustacean, is mostly used in the aquaculture industry, while its oil is a popular nutritional supplement.

As well as being a key part of the Antarctic food chain, it helps remove greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, by eating carbon-rich food near the surface and excreting it when they sink to lower, colder water.

ARK is also supporting moves to create a series of marine protected areas (MPAs) throughout the Southern Ocean, including in places where they currently operate.

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