2022-10-19

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a shrimplike crustacean a few centimeters long, supporting the marine food chain around Antarctica. The Antarctic krill fishing industry has been growing in the last two decades, driven by the global growth of aquaculture. Krill is considered a valuable alternative to wild fish as a protein ingredient for fish feeds, especially for salmon, trout and shrimp.

Independent researchers in Chile are worried about the impact of the growing fishery on the wildlife predator populations in Antarctica, already threatened by global warming. Meanwhile the krill fishing industry is expanding the fleet and planning to significantly increase the amount of catches in the next few years. The growing interest in Antarctic krill fishery is also blocking the creation of new marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.

Team members

Rob Edwards

Rob Edwards has been a freelance environmental journalist for 40 years. 

Rob Edwards

Francesco De Augustinis

Francesco De Augustinis is an Italian freelance journalist and documentarist.

Francesco De Augustinis

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