Massive capturing of krill around Antarctica might lead to a previously unseen termination of the fishing season
Antarctic Krill Fishery on the Brink of Record Catch and Potential Shutdown
The Antarctic krill fishery is approaching a record catch and is rapidly nearing the seasonal limit, which, when reached, will automatically close the fishery for the season. According to data obtained by The Associated Press, the catch in the 2024-25 season has surged to about 518,568 tons, roughly 84% of the 620,000-ton seasonal catch limit [1][2][5].
This surge in catch is primarily due to the failure of over two dozen governments, including the U.S., Russia, and China, to agree on a new management plan for the fishery in 2024. The proposed plan would have mandated spreading the krill catch across a wider area and establishing a large marine protected area near the environmentally sensitive Antarctic Peninsula [1][2].
In the absence of this plan, fishing intensified in concentrated areas, leading to a hotspot where the catch through June 30, 2025, was nearly 60% higher than the entire previous year's total [1][2][4].
Scientists had previously recommended higher limits based on sustainability models, so current levels remain within what some experts consider sustainable, though the ecological risks of concentrated fishing remain a concern. Advocates for conservation criticize the political failure to spread out fishing and implement protections, calling the stalled talks political rather than scientific [1][2].
Javier Arata, the executive director of the Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies, stated that the lapsed catch limit was always intended as an interim measure. Arata's group represents 95% of the krill taken from Antarctica and rejects waiting for a conservation deal to adopt "ready-to-go measures" raising the quota, stating that it can be much higher [1].
Global Fishing Watch analyzed ship tracking data at the request of the AP and found a higher concentration of trawling, with activity in Sub-Area 48.1 more than doubling so far this season compared to the entire 2023-2024 season [1].
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which manages the world's southernmost fishery, declined to comment on the report obtained by The Associated Press.
Krill are crucial for marine ecosystems and are now being studied for their role in mitigating climate change, as they remove and store 20 million tons of carbon annually, equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road. However, less than 5% of the Southern Ocean is currently protected, falling short of CCAMLR's target and a United Nations goal to preserve 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
The situation highlights the tension between political negotiations and scientific recommendations in managing Antarctic marine resources, with the fishery facing a possible historic early shutdown if the catch limit is reached [1][2][5].
| Aspect | Detail | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Current krill catch | 518,568 tons in 2024-25 season (84% of 620,000-ton limit) | | Limit significance | Near the seasonal catch limit that will cause automatic fishery closure | | Reason for surge | Collapse of international conservation deal in 2024 | | Proposed deal features | Spreading catch area, California-sized marine reserve near Antarctic Peninsula | | Environmental concern | Intensive fishing in sensitive areas, impact on species relying on krill | | Scientific consensus | Current levels considered sustainable, but concerns over concentrated impacts remain | | Conservation efforts | Less than 5% of the Southern Ocean is currently protected, falling short of targets |
[1] https://www.apnews.com/article/climate-change-environment-antarctica-science-oceans-fishing-b677c5086863992e56182058e1f3d633 [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/antarctic-krill-fishing-at-record-levels-as-fleet-approaches-seasonal-limit-2021-12-06/ [3] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/06/antarctic-krill-fishing-at-record-levels-as-fleet-approaches-seasonal-limit [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62868723 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/antarctic-krill-fishing-at-record-levels-as-fleet-approaches-seasonal-limit/a-62867577
Three humpback whales were found dead or seriously injured last year in the long, cylindrical nets deployed by the vessels to vacuum up the krill. This incident underscores the potential ecological risks of concentrated fishing.
Krill are a vital source of food for many marine species, including whales, seals, and penguins. Their role in the Antarctic ecosystem is crucial, and their declining numbers could have far-reaching consequences for the region's biodiversity.
- The surge in Antarctic krill catch might have significant implications for the environment, as krill form a crucial component of the health-and-wellness of various marine species, such as whales, seals, and penguins.
- Although the current krill catch levels are within the scientifically recommended sustainable limit, the concentration of fishing in specific areas could potentially lead to environmental risks and negatively impact the ecosystem.
- The climate-change mitigation role of krill, who remove and store 20 million tons of carbon annually, could be jeopardized if the intensive fishing and lack of protected areas continue to reduce their numbers.
- In the context of the Antarctic krill fishery, the ongoing negotiations between governments, particularly regarding the establishment of marine protected areas and spreading the catch across a wider area, are essential to mitigate potential health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and environmental-science concerns associated with climate-change and the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
