The importance of Antarctic krill in biogeochemical cycles

• Published in: Nature Communications
• Main Authors: Cavan, EL, Belcher, A, Atkinson, A, Hill, SL, Kawaguchi, S, McCormack, S, Meyer, B, Nicol, S, Ratnarajah, L, Schmidt, K, Steinberg, DK, Tarling, GA, Boyd, PW
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2019
• Subjects: Antarctic krill; biogeochemical cycles; Southern Ocean; fishery management; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Euphausia superba
• Online Access: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/46724/; https://eprints.utas.edu.au/46724/1/150449%20-%20The%20importance%20of%20Antarctic%20krill%20in%20biogeochemical%20cycles.pdf

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are swarming, oceanic crustaceans, up to two inches long,and best known as prey for whales and penguins – but they have another important role. Withtheir large size, high biomass and daily vertical migrations they transport and transformessential nutrients, stimulate primary productivity and influence the carbon sink. Antarctickrill are also fished by the Southern Ocean’s largest fishery. Yet how krill fishing impactsnutrient fertilisation and the carbon sink in the Southern Ocean is poorly understood. Oursynthesis shows fishery management should consider the influential biogeochemical role ofboth adult and larval Antarctic krill.