-36- 



The only krill species of cominercial interest at present 

 is E_^ superba . Krill swarms are detected visually or acous- 

 tically. Detection and catching methods are now sufficient to 

 harvest more krill than can be processed with available faci- 

 lities. The main obstacles to expansion of the fishery are 

 now product development and marketing. A total catch on the 

 order of a million tons is possible in the immediate future. 

 Once a fishery of this size is established, it would tend to 

 expand rapidly. Both scientific information on krill stocks 

 and information on the effect of harvesting on krill stocks and 

 on krill predators are needed (Everson, 1977). 



5. Penguins 



Penguins have been harvested for their oil in the past. 

 There is no present prospect for a commercial harvest of any 

 Antarctic birds. 



Historically, Antarctic fisheries have developed around 

 krill predators, thus harvesting the krill production indirectly. 



In the past commercial harvesting in Antarctic waters 

 centered on seals and whales. Seals are no longer harvested, 

 and the intensity of Antarctic whaling has been reduced in 

 recent years. Commercial interest is now focused on fish and 

 krill. Many nations are engaged in exploratory krill harvest- 

 ing, and krill are expected to meet part of the increasing 

 world demand for protein. Increasing fishing pressure on 

 krill is anticipated in the next decade. 



F. Scientific Investigation 



A great deal of scientific investigation has been carried 

 out in Antarctic waters, mainly since the turn of the century, 

 e.g., the Discovery expeditions. Scientific activity has 

 intensified in the years since the ratification of the Antarc- 

 tic Treaty in accordance with the objective of peaceful uses 

 for the region. 



Because the Antarctic marine region is relatively undis- 

 turbed in comparison with other ocean areas, and because it is 

 a polar environment, it is the subject of much scientific 

 interest. Studies have been carried out on the continent and 

 ice shelves, in open waters, in the pack ice region and on the 

 islands. All the original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty, 

 Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, 

 Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the 

 United States have participated, as well as Poland and West 

 Germany. 



