International conservation organization Sea Shepherd Global reported last week that two large trawlers deployed their expansive nets and disrupted a feeding ground off the South Orkney Islands in Antarctica, where a hundred or more fin whales and other krill-dependent species were foraging. The ships, some flying Asian flags, were accused of diverting krill away from whales to support aquaculture feeds and krill oil production for animal nutrition. This shift in food availability threatens the primary prey that supports a wide array of Antarctic wildlife and the livelihoods tied to this fragile ecosystem.
The crew of the Sea Shepherd Global vessel Allankay observed several trawlers near their perimeter. Rather than altering course, some trawlers quickly cleared their nets and moved away, suggesting a scramble to avoid confrontation. The captured images marked the first day of Sea Shepherd Global’s Southern Ocean conservation campaign, titled Operation Antarctic Defense, a mission aimed at curbing krill fishing that researchers describe as a growing ecological threat to the Antarctic system.
Krill, a tiny crustacean similar to a shrimp, forms the bedrock of the entire Antarctic food web. It is the main sustenance for baleen whales and penguins, with a wide range of marine life depending on its abundance and availability. When krill stocks dwindle, the ripple effects touch nearly every species in the ecosystem.
Hunting krill and the resulting food scarcity for marine life
As international whaling declined, krill fishing fleets—often 12 to 14 industrial trawlers—have increasingly targeted this resource. These operations focus on the essential species that whales and other predators rely upon, rather than pursuing whales directly. This shift places intense pressure on the base of the food chain.
“We are witnessing a noticeable decline in humpback whale reproduction, reduced body mass in sea lions, and falling populations of chinstrap penguins. All of these species depend on krill as their primary food source. Climate change is diminishing both the amount and the duration of sea ice krill require to survive,” remarked Allankay captain Peter Hammarstedt.
The risks are not only indirect. In 2021, there were documented incidents in which whales were harmed by krill trawling activities, underscoring the friction between fishing operations and the whales chasing the same resource.
Three weeks earlier, ecology researchers reported from Stanford University about four large fishing boats harassing a vast group of over 1,000 fin whales in search of krill. The study anticipated that competition between krill harvesters and whale populations would intensify in the years ahead. The latest images from the South Orkney Islands suggest this fishing pressure is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern.
Krill as a feedstock for aquaculture
Krill is primarily harvested in the Southern Ocean to produce krill meal for aquaculture feeds, as well as krill oil used in omega-3 supplements and various animal feeds. The oil also contributes to product coloration, making farmed salmon appear pinkish after processing.
Modern krill vessels often use vacuum hoses at the end of the trawl to sustain continuous, around-the-clock harvesting. This constant suction underscores the scale of the operation and the rapidity with which krill can be removed from the sea.
“What we see is a disregard for the natural balance. The krill ecosystem is a keystone of Antarctic life, and this activity threatens it. The aim must be to protect the ocean and its inhabitants while seeking lawful, responsible management,” stated Antarctic activist Alistair Allan from the Bob Brown Foundation.
The Allankay crew will continue monitoring fisheries, documenting activities, and mapping the supply chain. Sea Shepherd Global has partnered with the Bob Brown Foundation to study krill fishing practices and their impacts. Krill products are becoming more common in markets and households, highlighting the global reach of this issue.
Australia’s Stop Cyrillic Fishing campaign has brought krill into supermarket and pharmacy discussions, underscoring the broader consumer and policy relevance of Antarctic krill management. Advocates argue that Antarctic krill harvesting should be halted to safeguard dependent species and the broader ecosystem. Direct intervention is used when illegal activity is detected, while monitoring and documentation support efforts to inform policy and market responses that could curb destructive practices. The goal remains to protect this pristine environment by legal and market means, ensuring the longevity of the Antarctic food web.
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