China and Norway are pushing for a significant expansion of krill fishing in the Southern Ocean, aiming to lift catch limits despite rising opposition from environmental groups concerned about krill’s vital role in Antarctic ecosystems.
- Norway proposes nearly doubling krill catch limits in the Southern Ocean.
- China and Norway’s fleets are growing with government support and subsidies.
- Environmental NGOs highlight risks to wildlife relying on krill for food.
What happened
Norway and China are actively working to expand the krill fishery in the Southern Ocean, advocating for a new management approach that could substantially increase catch limits. In late 2025, Norway made a formal proposal to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), seeking to move away from fixed quota limits and nearly double the authorized krill harvest. However, this proposal failed to gain consensus among the 27 member nations at the October 2025 meeting.
Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation has used its veto power to block the establishment of a marine protected area around important feeding zones near the Antarctic Peninsula and South Orkney Islands. This protection effort, originally proposed by Chile and Argentina, has been stalled since 2017. Following the stalled negotiations, Norway’s primary krill fishery operator, Aker BioMarine, is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to gain support ahead of the next CCAMLR meeting in October 2026.
Why it feels good
Krill are tiny crustaceans that form the cornerstone of the Antarctic food web, supporting whales, penguins, seals, and seabirds. The krill harvested by fishing fleets contribute largely to aquaculture feeds, pet foods, and dietary supplements, supporting global food production and health markets. Demand for krill products is increasing, encouraged by state-backed fleets expanding their operations.
Supporters of the fishery expansion argue that the current fishing effort represents only a small fraction—around 1%—of the total krill biomass in the Southern Ocean. They suggest that improved management strategies could allow for sustainable growth in krill harvests without severely compromising the ecosystem. This growth is seen by some as an opportunity to bolster economic activities linked to Antarctic fisheries while advancing scientific monitoring and management tools.
What to enjoy or watch next
Watch for developments at the CCAMLR meeting scheduled for October 2026, where Norway and China will continue lobbying for increased krill harvest quotas and where debates around marine protected areas remain intensely contested. The outcome will shape the future of Antarctic marine conservation and the balance between ecological preservation and commercial fishing interests.
Environmental organizations like Sea Shepherd are heightening their campaigns against krill harvesting expansion, emphasizing the ecological risks. Their observations about concentrated fishing near critical krill habitats point to ongoing challenges in ensuring fishing does not disproportionately impact vulnerable Arctic species. This clash between industry ambitions and conservation goals will likely continue to shape Antarctic policy discussions.