Norwegian and South Korean Fleets Overfishing Antarctic Krill

The Antarctic krill fishery provides feedstock for omega-3 products and fishmeal for aquaculture. Norway is a major exporter of krill oil to South Korea, and both countries harvest Antarctic krill. The value of the global krill oil industry is estimated to reach $1 billion in 2030.

The krill catch is now around 415,000 tons, and in three years will reach 500,000 tons, close to what Soviet fleets were taking out during their unrelenting assault on the Southern Oceans.

Since October 2023 and in addition to climate change, the Antarctic is facing an unprecedented threat. Bird flu has arrived, killing seals and avian species en masse. This new context means the current overfishing of krill could be catastrophic.

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, a part of the Antarctic Treaty and which sets fishing quotas, is now split along geopolitical lines. Russia and China are pushing for increased krill fishing and recently blocked the creation of a marine preserve. Current krill quotas are based on a scientific survey done 44 years ago.

The investigation (text, photos, drone) will track krill from end use in Norway and South Korea to fishing in the Southern Atlantic to expose how aquaculture and rising demand for omega-3 are threatening the entire Antarctic food chain.