The krill might help China from depending so much on fishmeal imported for aquaculture and livestock raising. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)
Antarctic krill fishing exceeds expectations
CHINA
Friday, April 23, 2010, 03:10 (GMT + 9)
China has sent its ocean-going fishing vessels Kai li and An Xin Hai to the Antarctic for the 2010 krill fishing season.
Said fishing fleets gathered nearly 2,000 tonnes of krill during the 23-day exploration, which translates into an average daily output of about 100 tonnes -- about three times more than originally expected.
China has been participating in Antarctic expeditions and scientific research for numerous years and has even established three Antarctic stations: Changcheng, Zhongshan and Kunlun. However, this is first time the country has sent fishing vessels to catch Antarctic krill, reports World Fishing.
In September 2009, China launched a five-year scientific research project called Development and Utilization of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, established by Secretary for the Bureau of Fisheries Li Jianhua. It entails expanding research and development of fishing and processing technology and regulatory and business training.
The project, whose team leader is Chen Xuezhong, is being run by the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (ECSFRI) and certain domestic fishing firms.
Per the project schedule, China will explore the Southern Ocean and conduct exploratory fishing during the first three years. For the subsequent two years, it will focus on commercial development.
In Antarctica, China has already explored 88 survey sites with eight experts who conducted their experiments on board. They examined temperatures, krill distribution and plankton concentrations, among other factors.
An imperative issue being researched is the protection of Antarctic krill stocks.
With its growth within the krill industry, China hopes to meet its high domestic demand of animal husbandry and aquaculture for the production of fishmeal so it can diminish its heavy dependence on the imported product.
Krill and its by-products are used in the food, bio-pharmaceutical, agriculture and environmental protection sectors.
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By Natalia Real
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