Andrew Lowther, a polar ecologist with the Norwegian Polar Institute, conducts research in Antarctica to understand the interaction between fisheries and marine vertebrates. His work focuses on assessing the impact of krill fishing on predators like penguins, seals, and whales.
Lowther uses GPS tags and high-definition cameras to track penguin movements relative to krill fishing operations. “We use GPS tags and high-definition cameras to track, in time and space, where adult penguins go in relation to where fishing trawlers are catching krill,” he explains. This data helps estimate krill consumption by penguins and analyze changes in feeding rates when fisheries operate nearby.
He emphasizes that assumptions about declining penguin populations being solely due to fisheries may overlook other factors. “While it may be the only variable we can actively manage,” Lowther notes, “ignoring the bigger picture of what may be driving these declines isn’t particularly honest.”
Lowther points out that although global krill biomass remains stable, localized removal can disproportionately affect predators. He states, “With a catch rate of less than 1% of the biomass, the krill fishery has had almost no impact from a global context… So, it’s not what you take; it’s where you take it from.”
In 2018, a coalition of krill harvesting companies implemented spatial management strategies to protect key predator habitats during breeding seasons. Lowther’s research supports this approach by examining how resource extraction overlaps with critical habitats.
His commitment is rooted in maintaining scientific integrity: “A significant motivator for me is I just don’t particularly like the misuse of science… There is some quite emotive and inflammatory language used when discussing predator-fishery interactions.” He believes ongoing collaboration with industry partners is essential for comprehensive data collection.
Ultimately, Lowther stresses adaptability based on scientific evidence: “The fact is that fisheries are an important source of protein for humans… And I think in Antarctica we can keep on trying to do things better and better, based on real data.”