The 2024/25 Antarctic krill fishing season unfolded under both environmental and managerial challenges. Heavy sea-ice around the South Orkneys prevented vessels from accessing Subarea 48.2 in December–January, forcing an early start in Subarea 48.1. Despite the lapse of CM 51-07, ARK members upheld their long-standing fishing pattern and observed the precautionary Voluntary Restricted Zones (VRZs). This commitment resulted in a balanced distribution of the catch between Subarea 48.1 (57.5%) and Subarea 48.2 (41.7%), reducing the potential risks of catch concentration in coastal predator foraging grounds.
In parallel with operations, ARK continued to advance CCAMLR objectives through collaborative acoustic surveys in Subareas 48.1 and 48.2, and active participation in research on baleen whale interactions with krill fishing. Additionally, ARK members maintained full compliance with VRZs, protecting over 74,000 km² of penguin foraging habitat during breeding in Subarea 48.1. Contributions to working groups and a series of new peer-reviewed publications further underline ARK’s commitment to science-based and precautionary management in the Southern Ocean.