Krill Crisis in the Southern Ocean: Report Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Antarctica’s Fragile Ecosystem
By Blue Economy Insights
A new report titled All Eyes on Antarctica warns that industrial krill fishing is pushing the Southern Ocean to a tipping point, threatening not only Antarctic wildlife but also global climate stability. The report, authored by a coalition of scientists, conservationists, and ocean advocates known as the “Antarctic Avengers,” urges the international community to hold the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) accountable to its conservation mandate.
Krill — tiny crustaceans that form the foundation of the Antarctic food web are being extracted at industrial scale, largely by factory trawlers operated by a handful of countries. The krill is mostly processed into fish feed, dietary supplements, and pet food at an unsustainable cost to the planet.
“Without krill, the entire Southern Ocean food chain collapses,” the report states, noting that penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds all depend on this vital species. Beyond wildlife, krill play a key role in sequestering carbon and supporting the ocean’s biological pump, a crucial mechanism for climate regulation.
While CCAMLR was created in 1982 to conserve marine life in Antarctic waters, the report accuses the organization of failing in its core mission. It cites eight consecutive years of political deadlock that have prevented new marine protected areas (MPAs) from being established, despite scientific consensus and international support. Most recently, proposals for the Antarctic Peninsula MPA were blocked by China and Russia.
The report outlines a four-point plan of action:
- A full moratorium on krill fishing in the Southern Ocean
- Immediate establishment of the Antarctic Peninsula MPA
- Structural reform of CCAMLR’s consensus-based governance
- Protection of at least 30% of Antarctica’s high-conservation-value waters, in alignment with the global 30×30 biodiversity target.
Conservation luminaries including Dr. Sylvia Earle and Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of Tonga’s Parliament, contributed forewords to the report, highlighting the global relevance of Antarctic health. Whale migration maps included in the report underscore how krill depletion in the South affects species and communities across Latin America, Africa, Oceania, and beyond.
“The Southern Ocean is not a remote issue. It’s a climate, food security, and biodiversity issue,” said one contributor. “Protecting it is in humanity’s best interest.”
The report concludes with a stark warning: if action is not taken, one of the last pristine ecosystems on Earth could become a casualty of geopolitical gridlock and short-term economic interests.
For more information and to read the full report or join the movement visit www.our-antarctica.com
