Overfishing Krill (Secondary) - Lesson Five

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 5th,6th Grade
• 6th,7th Grade

Introduction

This lesson will have students explore the different alternatives to krill.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2025

Instructions

Teachers Guide Krill Fishing.pdf

Lesson 5 - What are the alternatives?

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. 

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Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

REVIEWING PREVIOUS LEARNINGS

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Reviewing our previous lessons we have discussed the role of krill in the ocean ecosystem.  
Ask students the following questions:
What are the species that rely on krill as a food source?
What is krill’s role in climate change?
What are the main reasons krill is caught?

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

How do we reduce the demand for krill?

Given the important role krill plays in the ocean and global ecosystems, how do we ensure the continuation of healthy krill populations.
Let’s start by considering the different reasons why krill is being caught and what alternatives could be used instead.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Fish meal

The largest use of krill is as fish meal, food for farmed fish.  If we want to reduce the demand for krill, how could we reduce its use as fish meal?
Discuss the possible options and what would be the consequences?
Do we need to farm fish – what are other food sources?
Is reducing the demand for fish an option?

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Supplements

The next use is for health supplements, such as krill oil.  Thinking back to the research undertaken in the last lessons, what are the reported health benefits provided by krill oil?  
What could we use as an alternative?
What are the harmful effects of taking krill oil?    
How do krill source Omega 3?

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Other uses

The other uses for krill included being sold as livestock feed, pet food or fish bait.
What could be used instead that does not have an impact on the ocean ecosystem?

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Monitoring fishing

In previous lessons we discussed the impacts krill fishing has on other species, apart from ship strikes, by-catch and loss of food sources.
While laws allow krill to be fished how could we reduce the impacts on marine life?

To refresh on what is happening, this video (1.11 min) shows the supertrawlers in Antarctica.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxgdmnm8RYs

www.seashepherdglobal.org

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Lesson Guide for activity suggestions.