Norway faces pressure over Antarctic krill fishing

Explorer Liv Arnesen is calling on the Norwegian government to support a moratorium on commercial Antarctic krill fishing. The request comes as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meets in Hobart, Australia, to negotiate fishing regulations and marine protection.

Arnesen argues that krill is a vital food source for whales, penguins, seals, and seabirds. She contends that current fishing practices may deplete food availability in critical areas where wildlife feeds their young. She is advocating for a suspension of activities until scientific guarantees and binding regulations are established to protect the ecosystem.

This call coincides with a growing global boycott of krill-derived products, including supplements, pet food, and aquaculture feed. Major retailers in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia have already begun removing krill supplements from their shelves. Arnesen is also pushing for the creation of effective protected areas in the Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica, and the Weddell Sea.