Antarctica krill fishing halted early due to high catch volumes

Krill fishing in Antarctica was halted on August 12, months ahead of schedule, due to excessive catches. The stoppage was triggered automatically after the maximum quota of 620,000 tonnes was reached, marking the second consecutive time this has occurred in history.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages these quotas to protect wildlife populations, such as whales and penguins, that rely on krill for food. The concentration of fishing fleets around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands has contributed to reaching these limits rapidly.

While some scientists view the automatic shutdown as a sign that management systems are functioning, others express alarm. José María Figueres, President of Antarctica2030, noted that two consecutive early closures should serve as a warning regarding the growing scale of the fishing industry in this fragile ecosystem.