ARK to backup research program at South Georgia fishing ground

When the seas around the Antarctic continent freezes, the krill fishing fleet seeks the open waters around South Georgia to continue their operations. This winter fishery is highly regulated and incorporates a precautionary quota, use of marine mammals exclusion devices, 100% coverage of scientific observers, and a 30km no-take protection zone around the island. These measures are all intended to protect the rich fauna that inhabits the islands.

South Georgia is home to several species of albatross, petrel, and penguin, many of which remain close-to the island during winter; it also holds the largest breeding population of Antarctic fur seals worldwide. With such abundant and diverse predator populations, precautionary, science-led management for the krill fishery is critical.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) conducts annual at-sea surveys for krill, as well as studies on the foraging behaviour and breeding performance of land-based marine predators. However, most of this research is conducted during the breeding season in the Austral summer, while the krill fishery is active only during the Austral winter. The challenges associated with conducting winter monitoring of the ecosystem remains an essential gap for managing this fishery.

To help address this data gap, ARK has agreed to use fishing vessels to monitor the status of the krill population where and when the fishery occurs at South Georgia. Taking advantage of the fleet's presence, with their acoustic capacity, in conjunction with BAS's expertise on krill survey planning, scientists and the industry working together will address a key knowledge gap for managing the krill fishery.

The first acoustic surveys from fishing vessels were conducted by FV Saga Sea (Aker Biomarine) in August and September 2020 to the northeast of South Georgia as part of a trial research programme. Further details about the sampling protocol will be delineated and agreed in the coming months.

Waters around South Georgia are surveyed annually during the Austral summer by BAS at the West Core (red transects) and East Core Box (yellow transects). This new program will allow to use fishing vessels to monitor the status of the krill population at the main fishing ground (orange transects) during the Austral winter season.