Antarctic krill fishery closes early amid ecosystem and retail shifts

The Antarctic krill fishery has closed early for the second consecutive year after reaching its catch limit of 620,000 tonnes. This early closure has prompted calls for urgent reform of management approaches to protect the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Scientists warn that concentrated fishing activity in areas used by predators, such as the Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal, may reduce local prey availability and force wildlife to travel longer distances for food.

In response to scrutiny regarding the fishery and its impact on the food web, Australia’s two largest supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths, have confirmed they will no longer sell krill oil supplements. Together, these retailers control approximately 67 percent of Australia’s supermarket grocery market. The decision follows observations by Sea Shepherd, which documented industrial supertrawlers operating near foraging whales.

Environmental advocates and scientists are currently petitioning for the establishment of a new network of Marine Protected Areas. They note that while the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources agreed to such measures in 2009, no new protected areas have been designated in the last decade, and certain conservation safeguards expired in 2024.