Whales recovering in Southern Ocean face new threat

Commercial fishing fleets in Antarctica stopped harvesting krill early for the second consecutive year after reaching their catch limit in waters around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands.

Scientists observe whale populations rebounding in the Southern Ocean but express concern that continued krill fishing could reverse this progress. Krill are a foundational species in the Antarctic ecosystem, forming the primary food source for whales, penguins, and seals.

Current regulations set catch limits to protect krill populations, but researchers want to know if these limits adequately account for the needs of the recovering whale populations.