Extract A

Annual harvesting quotas for Antarctic krill cut by 35% to protect marine food webs

In 2025, strict new limits on the volume of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) that can be harvested by commercial trawlers came into force. These harvesting caps, legally referred to as Total Allowable Catches (TACs), were announced by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in response to declining predator populations.

The commission agreed that commercial krill harvesting limits will be cut by 35% across the primary fishing sectors, with even tighter restrictions placed in biodiversity-sensitive coastal foraging zones.

However, some allowances were made for alternative protein sources, with quotas for sustainably-farmed black soldier fly larvae rising by 20% and plant-based aquaculture feeds rising by 15%.

The Lead Commissioner stated: "Antarctic krill is the cornerstone of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Rising sea temperatures and intensive fishing have disrupted the food web. We have intervened decisively to protect these habitats and secure the long-term viability of our marine ecosystems."

These regulations apply strictly to all commercially licensed waters. In future years, maritime authorities plan to transition completely to a satellite-based transponder tracking system to monitor conformity to these quotas in real time.

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