Looking into Guide Climate and Fishing Policies
An ambitious international effort is underway to track the population of krill, a keystone species vital to the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean. Scientists from multiple institutions are collaborating on an innovative satellite monitoring project that will provide crucial data to help inform sustainable fishing policies and conservation efforts in the waters surrounding Antarctica.
Krill, despite their diminutive size—smaller than a human pinky finger—play an enormous role in the marine food web. They are a primary food source for an array of species, including humpback and blue whales, squids, penguins, and various fish species. These tiny shrimp-like crustaceans form massive swarms, sometimes numbering as many as 10,000 individuals per cubic meter of water. In such concentrations, krill can be so densely packed that they tint the ocean red, a phenomenon detectable from space.
The ‘Krill from Space’ Initiative
The newly launched ‘Krill from Space’ initiative aims to harness satellite technology to track krill populations by analyzing changes in ocean coloration. The initiative was officially introduced during the 26th edition of the convention for the signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP26) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The project brings together the expertise of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the University of Strathclyde, and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to develop a sophisticated space-based monitoring system.
Using advanced imaging techniques, satellites will detect subtle shifts in the red coloration of ocean waters, an indicator of krill abundance. This real-time data will enable scientists and policymakers to better understand krill distribution patterns, population fluctuations, and the environmental factors affecting their survival.
“We start with seawater, then we add in a krill and take a measurement [of how much light the water absorbs]. Then we add another krill and take another measurement,” explained Dr. Cait McCarry from the University of Strathclyde. Dr. McCarry recently returned from an expedition to the Southern Ocean, where she gathered essential baseline measurements to calibrate the satellite detection system.
Urgent Need for Conservation
The urgency of the project stems from the mounting threats faced by Antarctic krill populations. Climate change is causing rapid declines in sea ice, which serves as a crucial nursery for krill larvae. Simultaneously, the expansion of industrial fishing operations in the region is placing additional pressure on krill stocks. These combined stressors raise concerns about the long-term stability of krill populations and, by extension, the species that depend on them.
“With sea ice declining and industrial fishing growing, we urgently need to better manage the fishery and protect krill habitats within a network of marine protected areas,” stated Rod Downie, chief polar advisor at WWF-UK. “‘Krill from Space’ may give us a new tool to help monitor and safeguard this vital species.”
Krill and the Carbon Cycle
Beyond their role in the food chain, krill also contribute significantly to the ocean’s carbon cycle. By consuming phytoplankton, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and then excreting waste that sinks to the ocean floor, krill help sequester vast amounts of carbon. Scientists estimate that this natural process traps approximately 300,000 metric tons of carbon per day—equivalent to the daily carbon emissions of the entire United Kingdom.
With global temperatures continuing to rise, the potential disruption of this natural carbon sequestration process is a major concern. If krill populations dwindle, their ability to cycle carbon effectively will diminish, further exacerbating climate change.
A Collaborative Scientific Breakthrough
The ‘Krill from Space’ project represents a groundbreaking approach to ecological monitoring. By integrating satellite technology with oceanographic research, scientists hope to create a sustainable method for tracking krill populations and their migratory patterns.
“This is a ground-breaking effort to develop a new way to monitor krill swarms at the surface where they are known to occur in huge patches that are important feeding grounds for whales and other important marine species,” said David McKee, Reader in the Department of Physics at Strathclyde. “We are delighted to be partnering with the WWF and BAS on this project. In time, we hope to be able to support international conservation and sustainable management of this most important Antarctic species.”
As the project progresses, it has the potential to revolutionize the way scientists monitor marine ecosystems and influence global conservation efforts. With krill serving as a fundamental link in the Antarctic food web, understanding and protecting their populations will be critical for preserving the delicate balance of the Southern Ocean.
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