Antarctica's Krill Crisis: Fishing Frenzy Threatens Fragile Ecosystem

As of November 13th, 2025, Antarctica's fragile ecosystem faces a growing crisis as industrial krill fishing has reached unprecedented levels. This tiny crustacean is the linchpin of the region's diverse wildlife, supporting everything from whales to penguins. However, the krill catch has more than doubled in the past year, with vessels extracting 620,000 tonnes from a single area crucial for biodiversity.

Despite the Antarctic being governed by an international agreement focused on krill conservation, some countries are pushing to increase the fishing quota even further. This is driven by the growing demand for krill to feed farmed fish, dietary supplements, and pet food - purposes that are far from essential. The risk to Antarctica and the global ocean's food web is immense, as krill play a vital role in the carbon cycle, sequestering vast amounts of CO2.

Numerous proposals have been made to create marine protected areas surrounding the Antarctic continent, which could have safeguarded nearly 4.5 million square kilometers. However, these efforts have been repeatedly vetoed by China, Russia, and now Norway, a country known for its climate leadership. The failure to establish these protected areas is a major blow to conservation efforts at a time when the world desperately needs progress.