Solutions

The most impactful solution will involve a sustainable alternative to krill oil and luckily, algae offers just that. 70% of the market value of krill oil is used for omega-3 supplements in North America. Thus, replacing krill oil with algae would make a huge impact on improving krill populations. 

Desired for it's omega-3 nutrients, krill does not even generate this nutrient on its own. It is derived from krill consuming algae. However years of greenwashing by krill-oil companies made krill-oil shorthand for omega-3. 

Algae-based products actually offer consumers a better product. Algae offers higher bioavailability when compared to krill oil and can be sustainably cultivated on farms, contributing to the creation of green jobs. 

A cultural shift at the consumer level and big box stores will be needed to achieve the replacement of krill-oil, however this can be achieved through extensive awareness campaigns. It is crucial that people begin to realize their individual actions have a massive impact on our environment. 

Simply substituting krill-based supplements with algae-based options, which offer superior nutrients, has the potential to reshape the destiny of entire marine ecosystems and mitigate the consequences of climate change. 

Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, can play a crucial role in helping krill populations throughout the Southern Ocean. MPAs establish designated areas where human activities are restricted or even prohibited. By safeguarding these habitats, MPAs protect the essential breeding and feeding grounds of krill, ensuring suitable environments to thrive in. 

Currently, the lack of regulations surrounding krill fishing is the biggest threat to populations. MPAs offer a sanctuary to krill populations, preserving their natural habitats and supporting the surrounding ecosystem. These measures can help ensure the long-term survival and sustainability of krill, which is vital for the health of our oceans and the many species that rely on them.

Krill are a vital carbon sink on our planet and MPAs would allow these krill populations to better thrive in the designated areas. Safeguarding particular areas with strict regulations, or more importantly, areas where krill fishing is prohibited, will help to sustain krill populations. 

Krill are a keystone species in marine ecosystems. They sit in the center of the food web, serving as the primary food source for numerous marine animals, and impacting the well-being of apex predators in Antarctica. By protecting krill populations with MPAs, the entire marine food web can remain stable, benefiting both predator and prey species.