Antarctic krill is a small crustacean that grows in the waters of Antarctica and is currently one of the world's most important marine resources. According to statistics, the annual production of Antarctic krill is as high as 3.8 billion tons, which is equivalent to more than three times the total global fishery output value. However, due to the continuous impact of overfishing, climate change and other factors, the resources of Antarctic krill are gradually decreasing, which has also aroused great concern from countries around the world.
I. Overview of Antarctic krill resources
According to statistics, Antarctic krill grows in the deep sea waters (between 60° and 70° south latitude) in the center of Antarctica, and is a small crustacean with a body length of usually between 2-4 cm. The growth of Antarctic krill requires specific environmental conditions, including cold water temperature, high salinity and good water flow environment, so it can only survive and breed in the center of Antarctic waters.
Antarctic krill is one of the world's most productive deep-sea food animals and one of the most important economic fish resources in Antarctic waters. According to statistics, the annual production of Antarctic krill is as high as 3.8 billion tons, of which a large number of adult krill can be fished. Due to the peculiarities of the living environment of Antarctic krill, they are rarely polluted, so they are considered to be a very healthy and nutritious seafood, which is eaten by people around the world.
2. Global fishing status
Since the 1960s, there has been continuous global fishing for Antarctic krill. At present, 14 countries around the world have entered the waters of Antarctica to fish for Antarctic krill, including China, Japan, South Korea and other East Asian countries. According to statistics, the current annual global Antarctic krill catch is about 100,000-200,000 tons, and from historical data, the highest period has reached the level of 500,000 tons.
However, due to the overexploitation of marine resources and various environmental factors, the population of Antarctic krill is gradually decreasing, and even in danger of extinction. At the same time, due to the particularity of Antarctic krill survival, the development and protection of its resources have become particularly complex and difficult.
Third, China's rise in status?
As one of the world's most important marine resources, the development and utilization of Antarctic krill has become an important target for all countries in the world. In this competition, China has also gradually begun to emerge.
Since the late 1980s, China has been fishing and researching Antarctic krill in Antarctic waters. At present, China is one of the world's largest producers of Antarctic krill, accounting for more than half of the world's total production of Antarctic krill. According to statistics, China's annual catch of Antarctic krill has reached between 50,000 and 80,000 tons, becoming the world's number one Antarctic krill producing country.
In addition to Antarctic krill fishing, China has carried out a lot of scientific research and conservation cooperation in Antarctica. In recent years, China has made a lot of achievements in the construction of scientific research stations in Antarctica and environmental protection, and has carried out extensive cooperation with other countries.
Fourth, the issue of resource protection
The conservation of Antarctic krill resources has attracted great attention from all countries in the world. Since Antarctic krill is a deep-sea organism, large-scale fishing can have irreversible impacts on the ecological environment. Therefore, how to develop Antarctic krill resources scientifically and rationally and ensure the balance of its ecosystem is a global issue.
At present, under a number of international laws and regulations such as the International Convention on the Law of the Sea, a series of restrictions and protection measures have been taken for the production and resource exploitation of Antarctic krill. At the same time, countries under the jurisdiction of Antarctica have also strengthened the protection of Antarctic waters, limiting the development and fishing of Antarctic krill resources. In practice, however, the effectiveness of the implementation of these measures needs to be further strengthened.
Overall, Antarctic krill is one of the world's most important marine resources, but it is also one of the biological resources facing great difficulties. In the future, while exploring Antarctic krill resources, we should further improve relevant laws and regulations, strengthen marine environmental awareness, ensure the sustainable use of Antarctic krill resources, and ensure the balanced and sustainable development of its ecosystem.