ARK response to Sea Shepherd claims

ARK is surprised at activities currently underway by Sea Shepherd in the Southern Ocean. 

Sea Shepherd has deployed a former toothfish vessel in the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula, on a campaign that purports to be ‘defending the Southern Ocean’s unique ecosystem’. 

In so doing, Sea Shepherd is taking video and drone footage of ARK Member vessels currently legally harvesting krill.  The vessels are licensed, operating in accordance with all CCAMLR Conservation Measures and all have scientific observers on board.  They are monitored in real-time via centralised VMS and catch data is regularly reported to CCAMLR. 

The Antarctic krill fishery is recognised globally as one of the best managed in the world.  It consists of a very small number of vessels that catch less than 1% of the total biomass of krill.  ARK is therefore surprised that Sea Shepherd would use resources, sourced from public donations, to run a publicity campaign targeting the krill fishery.

CCAMLR has had a committee of scientists working on krill for 40 years. It is by now well documented that krill is among the largest unexploited marine resource in the world, that the current krill fishery is one of the most precautionary in catches relative to stock size and that whale populations are increasing by up to 150%, none of which indicates a threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. 

ARK notes the many highly inaccurate statements and claims made by Sea Shepherd and has responded to a number of them in the attached document.

ARK Members are even more committed to working with CCAMLR Members, scientists and NGOs to ensure the krill fishery remains well managed and sustainable in line with global best practice. 

Whilst Sea Shepherd is conducting its publicity campaign in the Southern Ocean, ARK hopes the crew of the Allankay take safety at sea as seriously as ARK and its Members do.