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04 February 2025

Press Release


For immediate release

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Krill from Space: Pioneering project takes off to protect climate’s tiny superheroes

  • WWF, the University of Strathclyde and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), have teamed up to launch brand-new science project to monitor krill from space 
  • Krill are a key species in Antarctic marine ecosystems and are vulnerable to climate change and unsustainable fishing  
  • They also play a critical role in drawing down and storing vast quantities of carbon  

WWF, the University of Strathclyde and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have joined forces to determine whether we can monitor Antarctic krill from space. This innovative project aims to inform decision makers and ultimately safeguard one of the planet’s most vital yet overlooked species.  

The project was launched at UNFCCC COP 26 in Baku, November 2020 and Dr Cait McCarry from Strathclyde has just returned from an expedition to Antarctica where she was sampling live krill.   

Krill are the centre of the Southern Ocean food web above the seabed, sustaining penguins, seals and the world’s largest animals, including blue whales. These tiny creatures are also climate heroes, transferring vast amounts of carbon to the ocean depths, helping to stabilise the planet’s climate.   

The Krill from Space project uses a method to compare light patterns, combined with current and historical satellite and remote sensing data, to better understand the distribution and population of krill across time and space. It will also monitor changes in these vital creatures, nicknamed the ‘Superheroes of the Southern Ocean.’ 

Rod Downie, chief polar advisor at WWF-UK, said:  

“Antarctic Krill are the Superheroes of the Southern Ocean. These tiny, unsung heroes are the beating heart of the Southern Ocean, sustaining incredible marine life.  

“They are the reason why humpback whales migrate thousands of miles every year to feed in the icy waters around Antarctica. And they are climate heroes too, playing a critical role in drawing down carbon from the ocean surface.    

“But climate change and unsustainable fishing are putting them at risk. With sea ice declining and industrial fishing growing, we urgently need to better manage the fishery and protect krill habitats within a network of marine protected areas. ‘Krill from Space’ may give us a new tool to help monitor and safeguard this vital species.”  

David McKee, Reader in the Department of Physics at Strathclyde, said:  

“Ocean colour satellites have provided daily global monitoring of the world ocean since 1997. However, it is only very recently that we have been able to identify a signal associated with the pigment that turns krill red.  

“This is a ground-breaking effort to develop a new way to monitor krill swarms at the surface where they are known to occur in huge patches that are important feeding grounds for whales and other important marine species.  

“We are delighted to be partnering with the WWF and BAS on this project. In time we hope to be able to support international conservation and sustainable management of this most important Antarctic species.” 

Antarctic Krill may be no bigger than your little finger, but collectively they’re a powerhouse.  

Every day, these tiny crustaceans transfer 0.3 million tonnes of carbon to the deep ocean – equivalent to the UK’s daily CO2 emissions by eating and excreting phytoplankton and by regularly shedding their exoskeletons.   

But as sea temperatures rise and krill nurseries lose their protective sea ice – essential for krill nurseries - their populations are shrinking and shifting south.  

Krill are the cornerstone of the Antarctic food web above the sea floor and protecting them is critical for maintaining both biodiversity and climate stability, which is essential for the planet and for people.  

ENDS  

About University of Strathclyde: 

The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university based in the centre of Glasgow. Inspired by our founding principle as ‘a place of useful learning’, our mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of our students, to society and to the world. Strathclyde students benefit from an innovative and practical educational experience enhanced by its integration with our research capabilities, high-quality academic resources and an unparalleled industry engagement programme.  

The excellence of our research is evidenced by the growth in range and scale of our research collaborations and by our performance in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 where almost 90% was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We have redefined how we collaborate and work with industry, government and the third sector to ensure innovation and knowledge exchange are fundamental activities that deliver tangible impact.  

Strathclyde was named Scottish University of the Year 2024 in the inaugural Daily Mail University Guide, Sunday Times Good University Guide Scottish University of the Year 2020, Times Higher Education UK University of the Year 2019, and was awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its excellence in energy innovation in 2020, for excellence in advanced manufacturing in 2022 and for excellence in photonics research in 2023. 

About British Antarctic Survey 

The British Antarctic Survey strives to uncover the secrets of the Polar Regions and the frozen regions of the Earth. Our expertise spans the depths of the oceans to the inner edge of space.  

Our research highlights the fragility of the Earth’s frozen environments, and what that means for our planet. We have been living and working in the extremes of Antarctica and the Arctic for over 60 years. Our scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer and identified key evidence for climate change in ancient ice – our science continues to inform decision-makers. We provide the UK’s national polar capability by operating research stations, aircraft and Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough , supporting science at the poles and securing the UK’s presence in Antarctic affairs.  

Find us at:  www.bas.ac.uk    

The British Antarctic Survey is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).