Renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle is calling for an end to krill fishing near Antarctica as officials from the US, China, Russia and 24 other governments have been negotiating a possible deal to dramatically expand fishing for the crustacean that’s a vital food source for whales in the international waters surrounding the continent.
“There is no sustainable extraction of krill in Antarctica possible, period,” Earle, who in 1990 became the first woman to serve as chief scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in an interview in Rome, where she was promoting her conservation work. “Krill are critical to the integrity of the entire system - whales, fish, birds, seals, sea lions, you name it.”
Her comments came as negotiators wrapped up the annual meeting in Australia of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, or CCAMLR, an international organisation that manages the world’s southernmost fishery.
“Krill are critical to the integrity of the entire system – whales, fish, birds, seals, sea lions, you name it,” she said.
American marine biologist oceanographer Sylvia Earle – “Krill vital to entire ocean ecosystem”
Krill is fed on by sea fish. I’ve found kahawai stomachs packed with krill.
Corporate greed knows no limits. When there is an an Oceans and Fisheries minister like Shane Jones, it seems there are no limits for corporate commercial greed?