Already threatened by global warming, harvesting krill to supply omega-3 oil means danger for Antarctica’s penguins
By Gerry Leape Fifty years ago, delegates from 12 nations – including the United States, Norway and Japan – gathered in Washington DC to discuss how to protect Antarctica, the only continent without a native human population. The result was a treaty system that ensures Antarctica will continue to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and not become an object of international discord. Yet as nations gather again to celebrate the Antarctic treaty system’s 50th anniversary this spring, new scientific research indicates that many species of penguins, some of the Antarctic’s most iconic residents, are in deep trouble. While the plight of the polar bear may be better known, emperor penguins are also going to be hit hard by the effects of global warming. Made famous by the documentary March of the Penguins, these flightless birds use the Antarctic’s sea ice as a breeding ground and base for feeding on krill, fish and squid. But projected changes in Antarctic sea ice due to global warming will dramatically change the environment for these penguins and countless other species. Indeed, a 2008 study by a number of leading penguin experts warned that “50% of Emperor colonies … and 75% of Adelie colonies … that currently exist at latitudes north of 70 degrees S are in jeopardy of marked decline or disappearance, largely because of severe decreases in pack-ice coverage.” Making matters worse, these penguins increasingly must compete with man for their principal food: a small, yet invaluable shrimp-like animal known as Antarctic krill. Measuring only five to six centimetres in size, krill comprise the largest biomass in the Southern Ocean. These tiny creatures, rich in the omega-3 oils used in health supplements, are seen by some corporations as a potential source of big profits. The Norwegian-based firm Aker Biomarine, one of the globe’s leading krill fishing companies, recently applied to have its Antarctic krill fishery certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The council attempts to provide market-based tools to promote sustainably caught fish. To accomplish this, the MSC works with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public to promote the best “environmental choice” in seafood. Yet while the council’s mission is important, certifying the krill fishery would stymie further efforts to more effectively conserve and manage Antarctic resources. …
Plight of the penguins
