Knowra Antarctic krill Antarctic krill Antarctic krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans that swarm in the Southern Ocean and feed on microscopic algae, especially phytoplankton and sea ice algae.
Filter feeding : A feeding method in which animals strain suspended particles from water using specialized structures. Antarctic krill use brush-like thoracic appendages to sieve tiny algae and other particles from seawater.
Krill fishery : Commercial harvesting of krill, chiefly for aquaculture feed, fish products, and nutritional supplements. The fishery removes krill from the same regional food webs on which penguins, seals, and whales depend.
Baleen whales : Whales that feed by filtering prey from seawater through baleen plates. Several baleen whale species consume enormous quantities of krill during Southern Ocean feeding seasons.
Climate change in Antarctica : Long-term changes in Antarctic temperature, sea ice, ecosystems, and ice sheets driven by global warming. Declining sea ice can reduce winter habitat and food for krill larvae in some regions.
Sea ice algae : Photosynthetic microorganisms that grow within or beneath sea ice. Krill graze on these algae, especially when seasonal ice provides a concentrated food source.
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources : An international organization established to conserve Antarctic marine ecosystems and regulate harvesting. CCAMLR sets management measures for krill fishing in the Southern Ocean.
Adélie penguin : A penguin species that breeds along the Antarctic coast and feeds mainly on krill and fish. Changes in krill abundance and distribution can alter breeding success and foraging effort.
Antarctic Circumpolar Current : The powerful eastward current that circles Antarctica and connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Its fronts and circulation help structure krill distribution and transport across the Southern Ocean.
Phytoplankton : Microscopic photosynthetic organisms that drift in aquatic environments. Phytoplankton blooms provide a major food supply for krill during the open-water season.
Krill oil : An oil extracted from krill and marketed as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Commercial demand for this supplement is one reason Antarctic krill are harvested.
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