Krill fishery in Antarctica shut down after record catch triggers unprecedented early closure
By Joshua Goodman
Miami (AP) – Officials closed the distant krill near Antarctica early after changing for the tiny crustaceans – a vital food source of whales which also contributes to fighting climate change – has exceeded the seasonal capture limit for the first time.
The unprecedented anticipated closure of fishing follows a report by the Associated Press last week detailing a record wave of Krill’s capture after a long -standing conservation frame was authorized to denounce without a plan in place to manage the growing pressures in the southern fishing.
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Life Resources, or CCAMLR, the international organization which manages fishing, refused to comment but confirmed the closure earlier this month of the 2024-25 season, which should have extended until December, after fishing, the limit of 620,000 tonnes metric.
Last year, the United States, Russia, China and two dozen other governments have not approved a new management plan which would have forced the area in which the Krill can be captured and create a California size reserve along the antarctic peninsula sensitive to the environment.
In the absence of an agreement, industrial trawlers have been authorized this season to fish essentially anywhere at any time, including in smaller habitats preferred by whales, penguins and seals. In a hot spot, taking until June 30 was almost 60% higher than all the transport last season, according to an internal CCAMLR report obtained by the AP.
Krill is one of the most abundant marine species in the world, with an estimated biomass of 63 million metric tonnes. But the progress of fishing, climate change and growing demand for omega -3 from Krill – for fish flour, pet food and human food supplements – have increased pressure on Krill stocks. During the 2023-24 season, a fleet of 12 trains from the main Norway and China caught 498,350 tonnes of Krill – so far the largest harvest since CCAMLR began to collect capture data in 1973.
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In this photo provided by Sea Shepherd, the trawler Krill Long Fa is surrounded by whales near the Antarctica on March 24, 2025. (Alice Gregoire / Sea Shepherd via AP)
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In this photo provided by Sea Shepherd, the trawler Krill Long Fa is surrounded by whales near the Antarctica on March 24, 2025. (Alice Gregoire / Sea Shepherd via AP)
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Stressing competition between humans and whales, three humpback whales were found dead or seriously injured last year in long cylindrical networks deployed by ships to suck the crustaceans of paper size.
Krill is not only vital for marine ecosystems. Increasingly, researchers focus on their role as rampart against climate change. A study evaluated by peers revealed that the Krill withdraws from the atmosphere and the store in the ocean 20 million tonnes of carbon per year. It is the equivalent of removing the road 5 million cars each year.
This story was supported by the financing of the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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