Add Category
Two humpback whales were found dead and a third was found seriously injured in krill fishing nets near Antarctica, leaked information from a conservation conference in Australia has revealed.
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) wrapped up its annual meeting in Hobart last week.
The meeting had already raised headlines after Russia and China were criticised for blocking proposals for new marine protected areas, as well as an extension of krill management zones.
In this image from video provided by Sea Shepherd Global a krill fishing ship sails near a whale in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2023. (Mika Van Der Gun/Sea Shepherd Global via AP, File)
It has now emerged the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, also included discussions about whale "mortality incidents" linked to krill fishing in the Southern Ocean.
Details about the incidents were shared with international news service Associated Press (AP) prior to the official release of CCAMLR's report, which will be made public late next week.
In the first incident, a juvenile humpback whale was observed dead on a krill super trawler in January, AP said.
The second whale death involved a different ship in May.
The third incident involved an injured whale, which was found tangled in netting on another ship in January.
AP said the crew spent 40 minutes cutting the netting, which was tightly wrapped around the 15-metre whale, before it was offloaded at sea.
Antarctic krill is a key food group for whales in the Southern Ocean. (ABC News: Jane Bardon)
"Upon release it was lethargic and had some injuries from rubbing with the net," AP said, quoting a report discussed at the CCAMLR meeting.
AP said CCAMLR scientists had categorised it as a mortality event because the whale was unlikely to survive its injuries.
This year's fatal entanglements follow four similar whale deaths in 2021 and 2022, the first time such incidents were reported.
Those deaths prompted some krill fishing companies to improve their nets to reduce the likelihood of entanglements, but the updated nets were not in use during the recent incidents, AP said.
None of the vessels involved in the incidents were Australian owned or operated.
Conservationists demand better protection measures
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), which attended the CCAMLR meeting, confirmed the whale mortality incidents when contacted by the ABC.
"It's certainly alarming to see that whale mortalities continue to occur in the krill fishery," ASOC executive director Claire Cristian said.
"CCAMLR needs to update its regulations to ensure that all vessels are using marine mammal exclusion devices that are effective for seals and whales.
"Currently the language does not specify."
There are calls for CCAMLR to update its regulations around krill fishing practices to prevent further whale mortalities. (Supplied: Brett Wilks)
Ms Cristian said CCAMLR should also consider other management measures, such as preventing vessels from fishing near foraging whales.
Marine scientist Chris Johnson, who leads WWF's "Protecting Whales and Dolphins Initiative" said more whale fatalities were likely.
"With a significant increase in industrial krill fishing, sadly we are going to see more incidents of whales being killed in one of the last wild places on Earth," he said.
"Some krill fishing vessels keep their nets in the water for days and there is evidence of ships trawling through mass feeding events, adding to this risk.
"As air-breathing mammals, whales caught in these nets suffer a terrible death by drowning."
The Australian Antarctic Division also expressed concern.
"Any whale deaths due to fishing practices is distressing," a spokesperson said.
"Australia is committed to minimising by-catch in Southern Ocean fishing operations and works closely with the fishing industry and CCAMLR on ways to reduce this risk.
"Krill and whale research led by the Australian Antarctic Division is informing improved krill fishing practices."
By-catch mitigation measures already in place: CCAMLR
The Australian Antarctic Division says any whale deaths due to fishing practices is distressing. (Pete Harmsen)
A CCAMLR spokesperson said it has a range of measures in place to limit the risk of by-catch.
"CCAMLR's mitigation measures implemented in both longline and trawl fisheries in the Southern Ocean have been extremely effective, so that both birds and mammals are minimally impacted."
They said new requirements for krill fisheries would further minimise the incidental capture of whales, as well as seals.
"In 2024, the commission strengthened its existing krill fishery conservation measure requirements for mandatory marine mammal exclusion devices to be implemented."
They said all authorised fishing vessels operating in its management zone are required to have at least one observer on board to ensure compliance.
"These requirements are amongst the strongest for any commercial fishery worldwide."
A range of Antarctic animals, including whales, seals, fish, squid and seabirds, rely on Antarctic krill directly or indirectly.
The crustaceans, which resemble small prawns, are harvested for use in fish farm feed and health supplements.
The Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies (ARK) said its members were taking "proactive" steps to improve their nets.
"ARK is profoundly troubled by the recent deaths of two whales and the entanglement of a third individual, which occurred during the last fishing season," ARK executive director Dr. Javier Arata said.
"While fishing vessels have adopted Whale Excluding Devices on their nets as recommended by CCAMLR, these tragic incidents underscore the urgent need for further enhancements to this system.
"In response, ARK is taking a proactive stance this season by co-funding an innovative project focused on uncovering the dynamics of underwater interactions between whales and fishing gear."
Loading...