Krill News/Media Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2009

CONTACTS:
Dave Bard, 202.778.4551
Caitlin Leutwiler, 202.887.8823

Pew Environment Group to Host Press Call on Efforts to Protect Whales, Penguins, Seals and Krill

UPDATE: Listen to a recording of the press briefing (MP3)

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, Pew will lead a press call to discuss the importance and urgency of protecting Antarctica’s iconic species including whales, penguins and seals.

This week, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) kicks off a 2-week meeting in Hobart, Tasmania to consider various measures that would protect krill, a small, shrimp-like crustacean that serves as the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Increasing demand for krill puts the entire Antarctic food chain at risk. By adopting precautionary measures to spread out krill fishing over space and time, CCAMLR can ensure the survival of the crustacean and the animals that feed on them. This year’s annual CCAMLR meeting runs from October 26 to November 6, 2009.

WHAT:
Press conference call to discuss Pew’s priorities for this year’s CCAMLR meeting and emphasize the need for an effective management system for the krill fishery in the Southern Ocean.

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EDT

WHO:

• Gerald Leape – senior officer, Pew Environment Group (moderator)
• Michael Hirshfield – chief scientist, Oceana
• Ricardo Burgo-Braga – member, Antarctic Krill Conservation Project – Brazil
• Wayne Trivelpiece –scientist, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

To participate in this call please contact Caitlin Leutwiler, 202.887.8823, or Dave Bard, 202.778.4551.

This call will be recorded as an mp3 and will be posted to www.krillcount.org approximately three hours after the call ends.

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