Conservation & Threats

Threats to Euphausia recurva are not specifically known however the Antarctic species of the genus are threatened by global warming with large portions of their reproductive grounds now too warm for reproduction (Walther, et al. 2002). Overfishing is also an important factor in the conservation of krill as the population dynamics are subject to large fluctuations with the removal of predators.

The industry for krill fishing is also up and coming, the high nutrient value and market demand in both human and pet industries has a calling. Canada already has an established krill fishing fleet but with uncertain knowledge of the krill’s response to fishing the sustainability and management of this is still to be discovered. The overfishing of krill is likely to have serious consequences on all associated fisheries (herring, sardines, tuna, salmon, and mackerel) with their high dependence on krill as a food source (Everson, 2008).

Picture (Commercial Krill Fishing)