Wild Animals

Wild Krill Ecosystem Welfare Role

Antarctic krill are foundational to Southern Ocean food webs and their decline affects the welfare of whales, penguins, seals, and seabirds.

Key Facts

Antarctic krill aggregate in swarms covering hundreds of square kilometers
A single blue whale consumes up to 4 tonnes of krill daily
Krill harvest for aquaculture feed and omega-3 supplements is growing rapidly
Climate change is reducing sea ice that juvenile krill depend on for winter survival

Welfare Considerations

Krill population decline causes cascading welfare impacts across all krill-dependent species. Hungry whales, seals, and penguins face physiological stress, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality when krill abundance falls. Protecting krill is an upstream welfare intervention affecting billions of sentient animals.

What You Can Do

Choose omega-3 supplements from algae-based sources rather than krill oil
Support Southern Ocean marine protected areas that include krill harvest restrictions
Donate to organizations monitoring krill abundance and its effects on dependent species
Engage with aquaculture industry associations about reducing krill-based feed ingredients