Marine Life

Antarctic Krill: The Keystone Species Under Pressure

Antarctic krill are the foundation of the Southern Ocean food web, supporting whales, seals, penguins, and seabirds. Industrial krill fishing raises both ecosystem and individual welfare questions.

Key Facts

Antarctic krill biomass is estimated at 379 million tonnes — among the largest on Earth
Krill feed on ice algae and are sensitive to changes in sea ice extent from climate change
Commercial krill fishing supplies omega-3 supplement markets globally
Fishing vessel suction systems kill krill through injury and pressure changes
Whales, penguins, and seals compete with fishing vessels for the same krill aggregations

Welfare Considerations

Individual krill welfare is uncertain but the ecosystem impact is clear — removing krill reduces food availability for billions of sentient marine vertebrates. If krill experience pain (evidence is limited), industrial suction harvesting causes acute physical injury. Supporting krill ecosystems protects the welfare of every animal that depends on them.

What You Can Do

Choose omega-3 supplements from algae-based sources rather than krill oil
Support CCAMLR (Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) stronger krill quotas
Advocate for expanded Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean
Donate to Antarctic conservation programs that monitor krill-dependent species