Overharvesting krill (Think before buying Krill!)

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http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19626273.600-farmed-salmon-threat-to-antarctic-krill-.html

Farmed salmon threat to Antarctic krill

 

 

 

Next time you stock up on salmon, spare a thought for penguins. Antarctic krill is being overharvested to feed farmed salmon, in turn threatening penguins and other marine animals that depend on the shrimp-like creatures.

Little is known about the sustainability of krill fisheries, but the US National Environmental Trust (NET) says fishing-industry figures indicate that a catch of 764,000 tonnes will be made in the coming season, 25 per cent above the quota set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Together with other threats, such as loss of the sea ice that krill need for shelter, this could lead to serious damage to the Antarctic ecosystem, NET and other environmental organisations warn. They are asking the commission to beef up its oversight of krill fishing at its meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, which ends on 2 November.

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