Whales vs Krill: New Data Aims to Protect Antarctic Giants

Scientists and activists have teamed up on a research voyage near the South Orkney Islands to study how huge krill fishing fleets affect feeding whales. The journey follows shocking footage from an Antarctic cruise that showed thousands of fin whales spouting while four massive trawlers dragged nets right through their feeding area. The footage sparked a scientific paper that highlighted the conflict between expanding krill harvests and recovering whale populations. The research team, including ecologists from Stanford and a marine biologist from UC Santa Cruz, will use drones and acoustic tools to map krill density and track the distance between whales and trawlers. They also plan to photograph marine mammals, collect biopsy samples, and document the exact locations of fishing activity. Their goal is to provide hard evidence that can influence international fishery rules set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.Current krill limits allow about 620, 000 metric tons per year, roughly one percent of the Southern Ocean’s total krill. Critics argue that this small percentage is harvested from a single concentrated area, depriving whales of essential food. The new expedition will test whether this concentration truly harms whale feeding grounds, especially in a region that may hold the highest whale biomass on Earth. By turning to data rather than confrontation, the organization hopes that clear scientific results will prompt policymakers to adjust fishing practices and safeguard Antarctic ecosystems. The effort marks a shift toward evidence‑based advocacy in ocean conservation.