Why scientists are counting tiny Antarctic krill from Space
Krill are food for some of the largest animals on the planet – including giant whales that migrate thousands of kilometres, to Antarctica, to feed on them.
They are also the foundation of a healthy ocean – part of a virtuous cycle: Whales eat krill, krill eat microscopic plants that live in sea ice, and those plants absorb planet-warming carbon as they grow. When whales poop (in vast quantities), that fertilises the planet-cooling marine plants.
However, as the ocean temperatures rise with global warming, conservation scientists are concerned that this cycle could be disrupted, and that krill could be vulnerable.
Mr Downie said: “We urgently need to better manage the fishery and protect krill habitats within a network of marine protected areas.
“[This project could] give us a new tool to help monitor and safeguard this vital species.”
