OCEAN71
Menu

Ecology, Economy

The Antarctic krill new predators

Show on Google Maps

The Antarctic krill is the largest biomass on earth. It is the food basis for most of the animals living on the white continent. For the past five years, new hunters have appeared. A dozen of factory fishing boats travel to the far side of the planet to quietly capture what could become a gold mine.

File summary

  1. A Chinese fishing boat sinks in Antarctica
  2. A tiny crustacean that could change the world
  3. A nature reserve, well almost...
  4. Is krill the future of aquaculture ?
  5. A "sustainable" industry ?

A Chinese fishing boat sinks in Antarctica

On the 21st of April 2013, the Kai Xin, a 104m Chinese fishing boat, ablaze for four days, sank along the Antarctic coast. Blink and you would have missed this news snippet!

The Chinese krill fishing boat the Kai Xin that sunk along the coast of Antarctica © Chilean Air Force

A Norwegian fishing boat rescued the 97 crewmembers and the Chilean authorities told the media that there was no fuel leak and that the situation was under control. No environmental disaster: no international media headlines.

 

But the obvious question was not asked…

 

What was a 100m fishing boat with almost a 100 crew doing in this part of the Antarctic Ocean?

 

The Kai Xin was one of thirteen 100m-factory ships that hail from Chilli, China, South Korea, Norway, Poland and the Ukraine – all attracted by the same high value commodity: the Antarctic krill.

Other files

  • Investigation on mythical Ithaca

    Culture – 6 chapters

    Where was located Ithaca, Odysseus’ legendary island ? The epic story written by Homer is one of the basis for modern Western culture. Unbelievably, the island was never to be found. If modern Ithaca seems to be the best option to locate Odysseus’ palace, some have entirely different theories. The crew of OCEAN71 Magazine led a sailing expedition in order to investigate one of the greatest mysteries in history. An enigma that has puzzled historians for more than 2000 years.

  • Winds of Change

    Ecology, Economy, Sailing – 3 chapters

    Over the past few years, a number of traditional sailing boats have returned to their initial vocation, which was transportation of goods. Expectations are high when it comes to greener solutions, especially in the cargo industry that is notorious for its thirst for fossil fuel. OCEAN71 Magazine investigates the truths behind this well marketed business.

  • Pearls of the Gulf © Francis Le Guen / OCEAN71 Magazine

    The pearl treasure of the Gulf

    Culture, Economy – 4 chapters

    Before the black gold made some families of the Arabian peninsula immensely wealthy, nomades settled down along the southern side of the Persian Gulf and risked their lives by fishing the earliest source of wealth in the region : pearls. Today, the practice has disappeared, but the Emirates still possess one of the most fabulous pearl’s treasure in the world. Here is an investigation on a well kept secret.