One of the last untapped fisheries for human consumption may not remain that way much longer. Krill, shrimp-like crustaceans that grow about two inches long, are some of the most abundant marine life. They're regularly eaten by whales, seals, penguins, and sea birds, but so far not extensively fished for human consumption. However, fishery regulators say, that could change quickly, with high food prices and depleted fish stocks driving a new industry in krill oils.
But krill might yet be saved from the fate of its marine neighbors. Regulators are proactively aiming to prevent overfishing of krill, to stem off destroying a species fundamental to ocean food chains worldwide.
Tiny Creatures, Growing Demand
Krill feed on phytoplankton and in turn are a substantial part of the diet of larger animals which can't eat plankton directly. Because of this, krill are considered a keystone species in the marine food chain. They live in all oceans, but are most populous in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.
Until recently, krill fishing was kept small for economic reasons. It is expensive to send ships to the bottom of the globe; in addition, once they're caught, krill decay quickly due to enzymes they contain. To date, krill have been primarily used as food for aquaculture fish and in pharmaceuticals.
However, the economic situation is changing rapidly. With climbing food prices and shrinking fish stocks, krill fishing for human consumption has renewed interest. Advances in technology now allow krill to be processed onboard the ships as it's caught, avoiding the problem of spoilage.
Like fish oils, krill oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and rising demand for fish oils makes krill an attractive alternative (see figure 1). Norwegian companies are already making use of the new technology to sell krill oil as a dietary supplement for humans. And one Canadian producer that sells oil capsules has also been recently approved to sell krill oil as a food ingredient in the U.S.
Figure 1. Rising Export Value of Fish Oils
Source: EarthTrends, 2008, using data from FAO FishStat, 2008
With all these factors combined, the annual krill catch could rise from about 100,000 tonnes to several million tonnes within the next five years.
Protection on the Horizon
Krill isn't currently fished in U.S. waters. But, anticipating a surge in krill fishing, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed a ban on harvesting krill along the western coast of the U.S. The proposal has been in the works for over a year, but has been stalled by the White House office in charge of approving it because the market for krill was hypothetical and not preexistent.
California, Oregon, and Washington already have state bans in place against krill fishing by local fishermen. However, the laws' loophole would have allowed fishing vessels from other states or other countries to harvest Pacific Ocean krill.
But progress has been made to restrict that possibility. NOAA's current proposal finally passed the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs earlier this month, and conservationists have commended NOAA's proactive approach. The rule is now open for public comment. Environmental groups advocating greater krill regulation, especially ocean protection group Oceana, may next set their sights on extending the ban to all U.S. waters.
Top photo by Øystein Paulsen via Wikimedia Commons
RELATED LINKS:
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Monterey Bay Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Guide
National Geographic's Krill Facts
EarthTrends
The Impact of Global Trawling: Mapping Our Footprint on the Seafloor
