Famed oceanographer calls for ending krill catch near Antarctica as governments debate fishing quota

Renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle is urging a halt to krill fishing near Antarctica, arguing there is “no sustainable extraction” possible in the region. Her comments come as negotiators from the U.S., China, Russia and 24 other governments consider an agreement this week to dramatically expand krill fishing in international waters around the ice-covered continent. Earle said krill underpin the broader ecosystem for whales, fish, birds, seals and sea lions. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has been deadlocked over a proposal backed by industry, which environmentalists and the commission’s scientific committee say must be paired with a marine protected area the size of California near the Antarctic Peninsula. Krill fishing has already closed early for the second year after hitting a 620,000 metric ton limit.