Antarctic krill, *Euphausia superba* Dana, 1850.

Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba Dana, 1850.


Distribution of reported catch

Distribution of reported catch of *Euphausia superba* at the ASD scale.

Distribution of reported catch of Euphausia superba at the ASD scale.


Life-history

Krill are small crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea, and are found in all the world’s oceans. In the Southern Ocean, one species, the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, has a biomass estimated to be between 60 and 420 million tonnes, with a current best estimate at around 379,000,000 tonnes (more than that of the global population of humans). Krill can live up to 8 years in aquariums but in the wild they probably live for 3 to 4 years, spawning occurs when they are 2 to 3 years old. Given the relatively short life-cycle and relatively high mortality rate of krill, variation in the level of recruitment is a major contributor to the inter-annual variability in the abundance of krill.

Relevant Conservation Measures

In addition to Conservation Measures that apply to all Areas and all Species, the following Conservation Measures apply:

Description Species Area Conservation Measure
Notifications of intent to participate in a fishery for Euphausia superba Euphausia superba All Areas CM 21-03
Data Reporting System for Euphausia superba Fisheries Euphausia superba All Areas CM 23-06
Precautionary catch limitations on Euphausia superba in Statistical Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 and 48.4 Euphausia superba Subarea 48.1, Subarea 48.2, Subarea 48.3, Subarea 48.4 CM 51-01
Precautionary Catch Limitation on Euphausia superba in Statistical Division 58.4.1 Euphausia superba Division 58.4.1 CM 51-02
Precautionary Catch Limitation on Euphausia superba in Statistical Division 58.4.2 Euphausia superba Division 58.4.2 CM 51-03
General measure for exploratory fisheries for Euphausia superba in the Convention Area in the 2018/19 season Euphausia superba All Areas CM 51-04
General measure for scientific observation in fisheries for Euphausia superba Euphausia superba All Areas CM 51-06
Interim distribution of the trigger level in the fishery for Euphausia superba in Statistical Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 and 48.4 Euphausia superba Subarea 48.1, Subarea 48.2, Subarea 48.3, Subarea 48.4 CM 51-07

Additional Resources