This small shrimp-like organism may weigh little more than a large paper clip, but its crucial role in the icy Antarctic ecosystem is indisputable.

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• AKCP presentation details importance of dispersing the krill fishery
  This presentation by the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project during the recent annual meeting of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) describes how krill trawlers have learned to target aggregations of krill, just like the Antarctic species that rely upon krill as a major food source. Subdividing krill catch limits so that regulations are placed on trawlers to prevent them from overlapping so heavily with foraging areas would provide interim protection for predators such as chinstrap penguins as catches of krill increase. Download the presentation as a PDF or a PowerPoint file.


• AKCP Urges Antarctic Fisheries Commission to Protect Whales, Penguins, Seals and Krill
  The Pew Environment Group today called on the world's governing body for conserving Antarctic marine life to geographically spread out krill catches in the Southern Ocean. This would prevent the concentration of the fishery from significantly reducing the amount of krill available for key predators including whales, penguins and seals. Read the press release and listen to the press briefing.



• Antarctic Treaty celebrates 50th anniversary of Treaty signing
  The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) - the major annual diplomatic event related to Antarctica – kicks off its annual meeting today, April 6th, 2009. The AKCP calls on signatories to the Treaty to fully reengage on the critical issues impacting the Antarctica and to Antarctic krill, the keystone species of the Antarctic food chain. Read the AKCP's press release from opening day of this momentous meeting.
  
  
  





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Our Last Great Wilderness Is In Danger

Antarctica is the last great wilderness and home to exceptional concentrations of wildlife, including penguins, whales, seals and albatrosses. Though small in stature, krill's role in the region's ecosystem is enormous. "Krill are the glue that binds the Antarctic food web," serving as the principal food source for predator species that live there. Increasing interest in krill as fish food for industrially farmed fish, and for its high-value oils used in nutritional supplements, is triggering an expansion of the fishery that could outpace efforts to protect predators that depend on krill.

In addition, krill populations are very vulnerable to climate change, which risks profound impacts for Antarctica. With an agreed statement of principles and core goals to guide its work, the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project has enumerated core elements of an ecosystem-based management package [PDF] that are needed for the Antarctic krill fishery. Looking to the future, without these and other reforms, we risk irreversible harm to this unique and wonderful wilderness.

Antarctic Krill Conservation Project

This network of international organizations is dedicated to the protection of Antarctic krill to help conserve the region's marine ecosystem and living resources. It is a cooperative effort worldwide, working with CCAMLR nations, scientists and other key stakeholders. Please join us as we seek to protect this small, but vital species.

Icescape photo courtesy U.S. Antarctic Program
Krill Library