New York – The Antarctic krill, a ‘keystone’ species in the Southern Ocean, plays a crucial role in the Antarctic ecosystem and the global biogeochemical cycle. This protein-rich crustacean, vital to the diet of various marine species, is also commercially targeted for its Omega-3 fatty acids. However, the fishing industry contributes more than just krill products; it provides valuable scientific data about the ecosystem.
According to World Economic Forum, Fishing vessels equipped with echosounders, devices that map underwater objects, collect data that reveals krill swarms, migration patterns, and even predator behavior. When combined with other oceanographic data, this information helps scientists understand the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean’s health.
This data is integral to regulating sustainable fishing practices, ensuring the ecosystem’s nourishment while supporting the growth of krill fishing enterprises. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), established in 1982, regulates krill fishing in the Southern Ocean. The current total allowable catch is set at 620,000 tonnes, divided into regional units in CCAMLR Area 48. According to a decade’s worth of data from the Institute of Marine Research of Norway, catches remain below the upper precautionary limit.
However, the basis for the quota does not fully consider annual baseline information on mammal populations, ecosystem health, climate change effects, and krill’s biogeochemical role. CCAMLR plans to revise krill management and increase data collection and analysis through “feedback management.”
A significant untapped resource is the extensive data already collected by fishing vessels. HUB Ocean, a non-profit foundation, is making strides in this area, fulfilling the mandate of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy to increase the sharing of industrial data. Norwegian company Aker BioMarine’s partnership with HUB Ocean exemplifies this effort, as they’ve shared a decade’s worth of echosounder data on the Ocean Data Platform, a cloud-native data infrastructure developed by HUB Ocean.
Storing and sharing this large-volume acoustic data on a cloud platform allows for broader scientific use and research. The data, processed using scientist Sebastian Menze’s open-source Krill Scan Python package, is now more accessible for scientific research. The Ocean Data Platform’s capabilities have streamlined data analysis, enabling quicker and deeper insights.
This processed data will inform studies on marine mammal and penguin feeding behaviors and ecosystem modeling in the Southern Ocean. CCAMLR’s goal to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas around Antarctica aligns with these efforts. Initiatives like Aker BioMarine’s voluntary restricted zones during penguin breeding seasons demonstrate industry commitment to protecting critical habitats.
The intersection of science, industry, governance, and technology is reshaping the Antarctic krill narrative. Collaborations like the one between Aker BioMarine, HUB Ocean, and the Institute of Marine Research of Norway are essential in implementing responsible and informed ocean stewardship practices. These efforts symbolize a crucial step towards sustainable ocean management and conservation.