Environmentalists from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation have disrupted industrial krill fishing in Antarctica during a direct action at sea.
The group said its crew, on board the vessel Bandero, intervened on Tuesday against a krill trawler operated by Aker Qrill, currently the largest harvester of Antarctic krill.
According to the organisation, the crew disrupted fishing operations for more than five hours, targeting two industrial vessels. The action aimed to stop the harmful extraction of krill, a key species in the Antarctic ecosystem.
During the operation, the crew said they saw penguins, seals and a whale in the surrounding waters, making what was at stake even more visible.
Why krill matters
Krill are small crustaceans that play a central role in the Antarctic food chain. They are the main food source for many species, including whales, seals and penguins.
Environmental groups warn that large-scale krill fishing could threaten the entire ecosystem. Without krill, many marine animals would struggle to survive.
Last season, the krill catch quota of 620,000 tonnes was reached for the first time. Norway has since supported plans to increase the annual limit to up to 1.2 million tonnes.
Krill is mainly used in omega-3 supplements, fish feed for aquaculture, and pet food.
Critics say rising demand, especially from the salmon farming industry, is increasing pressure on Antarctic waters.
‘Enough is enough‘
Paul Watson said the action marks a shift from documenting the problem to directly intervening. He said that the time for photos is over and now is the time for action.
“Since 2018, environmentalists have been documenting and exposing this destruction year after year, but documentation alone has not stopped it,” he said. “At some point, you have to say enough is enough.”
Campaign leader Lamya Essemlali emphasized the importance of the mission: “Fishing for krill is an ecological time bomb. Nothing can justify targeting a keystone species on which the entire Antarctic ecosystem depends.”
Paul Watson, known for his direct-action campaigns at sea, was recently released after being detained in Greenland for several months. He has since returned to the Southern Ocean, saying that protecting whales also means protecting their food source.
The foundation says this action is part of a wider effort to stop industrial krill fishing in Antarctic waters.
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