Ukrainian vessels in the Southern Ocean reached the highest catch for the last three years. Over the past year, almost 20,000 tons of Antarctic bioresources have been mined in the area controlled by the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Commission. This is one and a half times higher than in 2023 and twice as much as in 2022.
Among other things, last year catch Antarctic krill amounted to 19,075 tons, Antarctic canines — 905 tons. 5 domestic ships took part in fishing: «SIMEIZ», «KOREIZ», «CALIPSO» and «MARIGOLDS» and «MORE SODRUZHESTVA».
Fishing in the Southern Ocean brings significant benefits to the national budget income, in particular, last year Ukrainian companies paid more than 7.2 million hryvnias for the use of water resources, which is 1.1 million more than a year earlier. This contributes to the development of regions and the creation of hundreds of jobs. The Ukrainian fleet provides employment for sailors, technical personnel and logisticians. Harvesting of Antarctic krill and canines strengthens the industry, expanding export and processing opportunities.
International cooperation of Ukraine in Antarctic fishing
The Antarctic is not only a field for fishing, but also a space for international cooperation. Our country’s participation in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is not just a right to harvest Antarctic biological resources, but also an obligation to adhere to strict environmental standards and international agreements.
Ukraine participates in joint scientific research to better understand the state of Antarctic krill and canine populations, as well as to assess the impact of fishing on the marine environment. Ukrainian scientists exchange experience with international colleagues, using advanced methods of monitoring and data analysis. Such interaction helps to improve both technical approaches to fishing and the resource management system.
Ukraine joined the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Resources 30 years ago. Currently, domestic laws are adapted to the rules KCAMLR and cover all aspects of fishing, from vessel licensing to catch control. Each Ukrainian vessel in the Antarctic receives a special permit after checking compliance with technical and environmental standards.
Illegal fishing remains a serious problem in the Antarctic: foreign vessels circumvent the rules, causing damage to the ecosystem. The Ukrainian fleet not only adheres to standards, but also has to compete with poachers. For transparency of operation, ships are equipped with modern monitoring systems.
Vessels «MORE SODRUZHESTVA» and «KOREIZ» have not only the right to catch, but are also obliged to report their actions daily. Observers work on board the vessels, who monitor the fishing process, record compliance with the Commission’s rules and transmit the data to the relevant authorities. This helps prevent abuse and avoid environmental risks. Thanks to observers, it is possible to quickly detect violations by other countries that try to conduct illegal fishing.
Strict environmental requirements of KKAMLR force shipowners to invest in ship modernization. For ecologically safe fishing, special tools are used that minimize bycatch. Thus, when catching krill, precise trawl systems are used that do not damage the seabed and do not affect other species. This allows you to extract only the necessary amount of resources without disturbing the natural balance. For catching Antarctic canines, domestic vessels are equipped with special systems that allow fishing at great depths with high accuracy.
Modern monitoring and navigation systems help optimize routes and comply with environmental standards. In particular, radars and positioning systems precisely determine the location of vessels in authorized zones, which helps to avoid violations of the rules. Online monitoring systems allow monitoring the fishing process in real time, ensuring transparency and compliance with international standards.
Equipped with modern freezing equipment, our ships keep fish fresh even during long voyages. This reduces waste and makes fishing more efficient. Ships have waste disposal systems on board that help keep the ocean clean.
The uniqueness of biological resources is Antarctic canines and krill
Antarctic krill and canines are unique biological resources of the Southern Ocean, symbolizing the natural wealth of the Antarctic. Antarctic krill is a small crustacean, the basis of the Antarctic food chain. Its role in the ecosystem cannot be overestimated: it is the main source of food for penguins, whales, seals and many species of fish. A decrease in its population immediately affects the entire ecosystem, because this resource supports the energy balance of the region.
However, krill is important not only for nature, but also for the world economy. For example, krill meal is actively used for the production of feed in aquaculture, ensuring high quality of fish products. In addition, krill produce an oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is used in pharmaceuticals to create beneficial supplements for heart, brain, and joint health. Such products are exported to Europe, the USA and Asia, providing Ukraine with a significant income.
No less important is the Antarctic canine, known for its high gastronomic value. This fish, which lives at great depths, is a delicacy that enjoys worldwide popularity in premium restaurants. Its meat is rich in protein and healthy fats, and its delicate taste makes it a desirable product on the menus of restaurants in Europe and Asia. Canine fillets caught by Ukrainian vessels are served in the best establishments in France and Japan. At the same time, its fat is used in pharmaceutical production, in particular to create drugs that improve the health of the cardiovascular system.
However, the uniqueness of these resources requires the most responsible attitude. Unregulated fishing of krill or fangs could lead to catastrophic consequences for the Antarctic ecosystem. That is why, based on scientific research, the KKAMLR sets strict catch limits, the Ukrainian fleet, working in the Antarctic zone, adheres to these norms, demonstrating an example of environmental awareness.
The history of Ukrainian fishing in the Antarctic
Ukraine confidently declared itself as one of the key players in the Antarctic fishery, but the path to this position was long and difficult. The first steps in harvesting Antarctic bioresources started back in the days of the Soviet Union, when Ukrainian vessels participated in research and fishing in the Southern Ocean.
After gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine made this tradition the foundation for the development of its own fishing industry. Joining the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Commission in 1994 was a defining moment that opened the door to international cooperation and secured our country’s right to fish in this region.
However, the first years of independence were not easy. The economic crisis and the collapse of the financing system left the Ukrainian fleet in a difficult position. Vessels that were once the pride of the industry were lying idle or operating at minimal efficiency. But, despite the difficulties, the Ukrainian fishery in the Antarctic survived. Thanks to international cooperation and the introduction of new technologies, it was possible to preserve the traditions of Antarctic fishing. In the 1990s, the vessels «Slavutych» and «Polyus» continued to catch Antarctic krill, a resource that became the basis for the development of aquaculture, the food industry, and pharmaceuticals.
Since the 2000s, a new chapter in domestic Antarctic fishing has begun. Investments in the modernization of vessels made it possible to make fishing more efficient and environmentally responsible. The vessels «MORE SODRUZHESTVA», «SIMEIZ» and «KOREIZ» became an example of how technology can change the rules of the game. They were equipped with modern trawling systems that allow accurate fishing of Antarctic krill without harming the seabed, as well as equipment for processing the catch right on board. This not only reduced losses, but also ensured high quality products for export to world markets.
How fishing affects the Antarctic ecosystem
Antarctica is a unique corner of the planet, the ecosystem of which still remains relatively untouched. However, fishing in the Southern Ocean, where Ukrainian vessels show record catches every year, raises serious environmental questions. Antarctic krill, which is the main part of the prey, is vital for the food chain of many marine inhabitants: penguins, seals, whales. Its overfishing threatens not only these species, but also the stability of the entire ecosystem. A similar situation occurs with Antarctic canines, whose population can significantly decrease due to intensive fishing.
The danger is hidden in something else. Uncontrolled fishing can alter food chains, causing some species to disappear and others to flourish. And the use of unsuitable fishing gear can cause damage to the seabed — the main habitat of many species, including Antarctic canines. Antarctica risks becoming another victim of human greed if conservation measures are not strictly and consistently followed.
Fortunately, the balance between industrial activity and nature conservation is ensured by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. It is an international body that defines the rules of the game in the Southern Ocean. By setting clear catch limits in each area, the CCAMLR does not allow fishing to go beyond what is rational. Mandatory monitoring of populations allows scientists to respond to changes in the ecosystem in a timely manner and adjust industrial quotas.
However, the main weapon in the struggle for the preservation of the Antarctic is the Olympic principle of fishing. It stipulates that fishing continues until the total allowable volume is exhausted, and only then is it stopped. This makes it possible to avoid mass extermination of biological resources. In addition, monitoring of vessels and strict control over the use of authorized fishing gear help to minimize damage to the environment.
Despite this, humanity is still teetering on the edge. The choice is ours: can we preserve this pristine corner of the world, or turn it into another ecological disaster? The Antarctic is more than just a fishing region. It is a symbol of how it is possible and necessary to coexist with nature: balanced, responsible, without destruction. Today’s decisions determine the future of this icy continent, and with it — the future of the entire planet.
Tetyana Viktorova
