[REVISION HISTORY]

Antarctic krill fishery management and conservation

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2026-08-27 23:35 UTC → 2026-08-28 19:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Antarctic krill fishery has closed early for the second consecutive year after vessels reached the 620,000-tonne precautionary catch limit established by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). On August 12, the stoppage was triggered automatically after the maximum quota was reached. The concentration of fishing fleets around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands has contributed to reaching these limits rapidly. Industry representatives suggest the early closure indicates the management system is functioning as intended. However, scientists and conservationists argue the repeated shutdowns highlight spatial management gaps, particularly regarding the concentration of fishing near ~~the Antarctic Peninsula. This area is a~~ vital foraging ~~zone~~ zones for whales, penguins, and seals. 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.” While the industry has utilized voluntary buffer zones, advocates are calling for the formal adoption of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to protect biodiversity. The situation is further complicated by geopolitical tensions, as China and Russia have blocked the creation of new protected areas, while Norway has sought to double fishing quotas. No new MPAs have been adopted by CCAMLR since 2016.

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