Fish by-catch in the Antarctic krill fishery

Fish bycatch is a global problem requiring accurate information to develop conservation and management strategies.

What the project does

This project is improving our understanding of fish bycatch in the Antarctic krill fishery, to help support better management and conservation.

It identifies which fish species and life stages are caught using integrative taxonomy and maps their distribution. Findings will create baseline data and practical identification guides for international fisheries observers.

Using an ecosystem approach, this project develops simple, accurate guides for identifying bycatch species. The work uses BAS biological archives and krill fishery samples collected between 2022 and 2024, supporting the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)’s efforts to safeguard Antarctic marine ecosystems.

Why this matters

Fish and larval fish are often caught unintentionally during krill harvesting. Knowing where, when, and which species are caught is vital for sustainable management.

Fish bycatch has become an urgent issue in the krill fishery. There is a clear need for accurate life stages–specific identification tools supported by molecular techniques.

In the Antarctic krill fishery, bycatch mainly affects larval and juvenile fish.
While management currently focuses on protecting seals and penguins, fish bycatch also needs to be addressed.

The Southern Ocean hosts about 374 fish species, many found nowhere else. Only a few are commercially harvested, but many others face bycatch risk. Limited biological data and large seasonal krill catches highlight the need for better monitoring and identification tools.

Science objectives

• Identify fish species and life stages caught as bycatch
• Map where and when fish bycatch occurs
• Create identification and training tools for fisheries observers
• Support CCAMLR in improving krill fishery management

William Reid (Newcastle University)

William Goodall-Copestake (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh)

Benedict Viney (MRAG)

Sue Gregory (GSGSSI)