Whales vs Krill: New Data Aims to Protect Antarctic Giants
Scientists and activists have joined forces on a research voyage near the South Orkney Islands to investigate how massive krill fishing fleets affect feeding whales.
The mission follows shocking footage from an Antarctic cruise that captured thousands of fin whales spouting while four colossal trawlers dragged nets right through their feeding area. The footage sparked a scientific paper that highlighted the conflict between expanding krill harvests and recovering whale populations.
Key Components of the Expedition
- Research Team: Ecologists from Stanford and a marine biologist from UC Santa Cruz.
- Tools & Methods:
- Drones and acoustic sensors to map krill density.
- Tracking the distance between whales and trawlers.
- Photographing marine mammals, collecting biopsy samples, and documenting fishing activity locations.
Goals
- Provide hard evidence to influence international fishery rules set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
- Test whether concentrated krill harvesting truly harms whale feeding grounds, especially in a region that may hold the highest whale biomass on Earth.
Current Context
- Krill limits allow about 620,000 metric tons per year—roughly one percent of the Southern Ocean’s total krill.
- Critics argue that this small percentage is harvested from a single concentrated area, depriving whales of essential food.
The Path Forward
By turning to data rather than confrontation, the organization hopes that clear scientific results will prompt policymakers to adjust fishing practices and safeguard Antarctic ecosystems. The effort marks a shift toward evidence‑based advocacy in ocean conservation.
