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DeliciousKrill harvest 'danger' in Antarctic
Monday, July 12, 2010
The shrimp-like organisms are an essential link in the Antarctic food-chain as a food source for penguins, seals and many species of whales.
The Times newspaper has reported that China is planning an expedition as part of a five-year exploration programme to investigate the potential of krill to boost its fish-farming industry. Krill is used as food for farm-raised salmon and for oil, rich in omega-3 acids, used in human dietary supplements.
Conservationists have warned that the depletion of the food stock poses a threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. Willie Mackenzie, a Greenpeace spokesperson, said that the project is "just wrong".
"Krill is the basis of the Antarctic food web," he added.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation warned last year that 80 percent of commercial fish stocks in the World were either being fished at maximum level or being over-exploited.
And marine scientists have warned recently that over-fishing has consumed 95 percent of large fish in many of the world's seas. Some species are said to be on the brink of collapse.
While the fishery being targeted in the Southern Ocean is healthy now, fears are raised that exploitation will heap pressure on ecosystems already under threat from retreating ice and ocean acidification.
The controversy follows recent criticism of the Marine Stewardship Council which has certified the krill fishing of Norwegian company Aker BioMarine as environmentally sustainable.
Gerald Leape of the Pew Environment Trust said that the council "ignored irrefutable evidence" of threats to the Antarctic ecosystem in granting certification.
Environmental groups say scientific data on the impact of krill fishing in Antarctica is lacking and that supposedly 'sustainable' levels do not account for the fact that fishermen target krill swarms close to the shore. It is these sources that Antarctica's penguins rely on.
"The problem is one of prey depletion for land-based krill predators," said Leape. "As they are forced to move farther offshore to feed, this could impact on their reproductive success."
I have spoken with some of the scientists who provide information to the treaty organization that manages the krill fishery in the Antarctic, one of whom is Dr. Simeon Hill, a senior scientific officer of at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) at Cambridge, England. BAS is one of the world's leading environmental research centers and is responsible for the UK's national scientific activities in Antarctica, and they are definitely not in agreement with Mr. Leape or Mr. Mackenzie. They say this fishery is among the best managed for sustainability in the world. You might want to interview them yourself. If you're interested in more about this, you can read more at http://www.wellwise.org/blogs/wellness-news/krill-oil-sustainable.
James Townsend - United States
I'm not sure what Mr. Townsend is disputing here.
It appears that Mr Leape, and Mr Mackenzie are merely voicing a legitimate concern.
The fact that 80 percent of commercial fish stocks in the World were either being fished at maximum level or being over-exploited, lends credence to their concerns.
It is clear that the industry priorities are profit motivated, with minimal concern being shown for ecological sustainability.
If they have reeked such havoc on 80% percent of commercial fish stocks in the World, it would be nothing short of irresponsible to think they would not do so to the remaining 20%, if given the chance.
To suggest that the industry not only could, but most likely would lead to the inevitable result of over fishing the region, is a warning worthy of attention.
This concern is supported by the industries documented disregard for ecological impact, and consequence's in the past.
It is justifiable that addressing such concerns as a matter of foresight, rather than the all to familiar standard of hindsight utilized by the BAS is warranted.
Allowing an industry with such a poor Ecological standards record to operate on the honor system, would most likely lead to disastrous results.
Oscar Hicks - United States