Sales in supermarket chains and retail outlets feature diet products and farmed salmon fed with krill. The question remains: why is this happening and what role does krill play in the broader picture of Antarctic resource use and environmental impact? A recent report from the Changing Markets Foundation highlights concerns about krill harvesting, the chain of supply, and the growing visibility of krill-based products in global markets. The piece also marks Cyrillic Day as a context point for discussion, though the focus is on krill and its links to climate action and corporate practices.
Krill is a small crustacean that inhabits Antarctic waters and plays a central role in ocean ecosystems. It contributes to carbon sequestration, helping to offset atmospheric carbon in the oceans and supporting a wide array of marine life. The report emphasizes that krill is not merely a commodity but a foundational species for the health of the planet and the fight against climate change. Its significance goes beyond nutrition supplements to the broader context of environmental stewardship and fisheries management.
Looting Antarctic krill
Under a heading that points to profit motives behind Antarctic krill harvesting, the report analyzes the crustacean supply chain. It notes that krill oil dietary supplements appear in a substantial share of the world’s leading retailers, indicating wide accessibility but raising questions about sustainability, sourcing, and ecological balance. The analysis covers how krill products reach shelves and the implications for ecosystems and policy frameworks that protect marine life.
In North America, krill products were found in a large majority of the surveyed retailers, while in Asia a majority of the smaller sample carried krill offerings, and in Europe about half of the outlets stocked them. The document notes that farmed salmon is fed krill and sold through numerous major retailers in several European countries, highlighting chain-wide dependencies that connect aquaculture practices with wildlife impacts.
The report identifies suppliers like the Norwegian firm that provides krill-based feed, which accounts for a significant share of global krill harvest. It also notes that some companies have not adopted explicit policies to exclude krill from the feed used in their own branded salmon products, pointing to gaps in supply chain transparency and environmental commitments.
The discussion emphasizes that the expansion of krill use can complicate conservation goals for charismatic Antarctic species such as whales, seals, and penguins. Critics argue that the push to maximize supply and lower costs can clash with long-term ecological resilience, especially as climate change intensifies warming and ecosystem stress.
The report argues that some practices and labeling schemes obscure environmental impacts through green marketing, with sustainability certificates used to bolster a product’s green image even when the underlying supply chain remains problematic.
Experts warn that accelerating global warming could undermine precautionary catch limits and heighten the risk of overexploitation. They cite scientific findings suggesting that krill biomass is under pressure and that careful assessment is needed to safeguard Antarctic ecosystems for the future. The evidence gathered supports calls for stronger protections and more cautious harvest management.
Moratorium on krill hunting
The report references guidance from climate and conservation authorities that recommend considering krill alternatives in aquaculture and seafood supply chains. It also notes that the international framework for Antarctic marine resources has struggled to tighten protections and designate Marine Protected Areas effectively, leaving gaps in governance and enforcement.
Because of these challenges, the Changing Markets Foundation proposes an immediate moratorium on commercial krill harvesting. It urges retailers, feed producers, and fish farms to prioritize alternatives and to rethink the use of wild-caught fish in aquaculture. The report encourages supermarkets and consumers to avoid products that rely on krill, including shellfish and dietary supplements containing krill, until stronger safeguards are in place. The aim is to steer markets toward more sustainable practices while maintaining transparency and accountability across the supply chain.