Biomass in good condition

Krill is one of the largest and most resilient biomasses on Earth, playing a crucial role in the Antarctic ecosystem. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) oversees krill fisheries through an ecosystem-based management approach, ensuring that harvesting is conducted sustainably without negatively impacting marine life.

Commercial krill fishing is currently restricted to Area 48 in the Southern Ocean, where the total allowable krill catch is set at just 1% of the estimated biomass, which is one of the most precautionary catch limits among global fisheries. The actual industry-wide catch remains even lower at 0.5–0.6%, leaving over 99% of the krill stock untouched for marine predators.

Scientific surveys confirm that the krill biomass remains stable and abundant. A 2019 CCAMLR survey estimated the biomass at 63 million metric tons, an increase from the previous survey in 2000. Further research published in 2023 reaffirmed a healthy and thriving krill population, reinforcing the effectiveness of precautionary fishery management.