Krill harvesting is not in competition with Antarctic marine predators

Krill fisheries is managed by The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the annual precautionary catch limit is capped at 1 % of the biomass. This catch limit is among the most conservative for any fisheries globally, leaving 99 % of the biomass for whales and other marine predators - ensuring that the krill stock is replenished in a healthy way.

• Scientific research, conducted over several years has consistently demonstrated the high abundance of krill in the Antarctic ecosystem.  
  
  
• Governance of the krill fishery is developed from "the agreed, best available science" that according to CCAMLR 2022 has “ensured a precautionary management of the krill fishery”
  
  
• Whale populations in Antarctica have increased rapidly and many are today near carrying capacity

In 2019 the Antarctic krill biomass was measured to 63 million metric tons around the Antarctic Peninsula – a few million tons more than previously estimated by the scientists’ last big survey in year 2000. The data shows a stable and hugely abundant krill biomass in the area.

More recent scientific research, published in 2023, has confirmed the significant concentration of krill in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. This indicates a robust and thriving ecosystem that supports a variety of marine species, and that the fishery operates well within the upper precautionary catch limit on smaller scales.

The sustainable management of the krill fishery contributes to maintaining the health and balance of this ecosystem. The krill fishery is closely regulated by CCAMLR and today, there is probably no other fishery in the world that takes out less of what it’s target species biomass is believed to be: the allowable catch is less than 1 % of the biomass (620 000 MT catch limit) and the actual catch is about 0,6-0,8%. In other words, there is still 200 000 MT left up until the precautionary catch level. Read more about the conservation measures on Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)s website.

Whale and seal populations in Antarctica are generally on the rebound and estimated to be rising by 150% and towards the same level as pre-whaling around 100 years ago. The resurgent populations of whales and seals is good news and a testament to their access to and the surplus of their main feed source: krill.

Sustainability, transparency, and responsibility are characteristics of our company governance and way of operating. To us, it makes no sense to take something out of the ocean to improve our health, if it simultaneously compromises the health of the ocean. Read more about how Aker BioMarine sustainability efforts here.