KRILLGUARD: Safeguarding the future of the Southern Ocean

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The KRILLGUARD project aims to protect the Southern Ocean ecosystem by focusing on Antarctic Krill (Euphasia superba), a keystone species in the ecosystem. With an estimated biomass between 300-500 million tonnes and a population of 300-500 trillion individuals, Antarctic krill is one of the most successful animal species on Earth. It plays a central role in nutrient cycling, as a consumer of phytoplankton and as prey for large animals such as penguins, seals, and whales. Additionally, it has commercial importance through the krill fishing industry which has an annual catch value exceeding $200 million. However, Antarctic krill faces significant challenges due to climate change. As a stenothermic species, it is adapted to a narrow temperature range of -2 to 5C, making it highly sensitive to rising temperatures. Over the past 90 years Antarctic waters have warmed 1C, and the krill have moved polewards to colder waters. Changing seasonal habitats could disrupt critical stages in krill's life cycle. To effectively protect this species and manage fishing activities, it is crucial to understand the diversity of Antarctic krill and how this species will respond to future climate change.The KRILLGUARD project proposes a comprehensive study of the population genetics and adaptive capacity of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean. Utilizing extensive historical collections from the Natural History Museum (>20,000), recent collected samples from the British Antarctic Survey (>10,000) and contemporary samples from fishing vessels in British Antarctic territories, the project aims to uncover population dynamics and resilience of Antarctic krill. This knowledge will be vital for effective management and conservation efforts. Specifically, we will address the following overarching questions:1. What did historical krill diversity look like prior to the onset of anthropogenic climate change and widespread fishing?2. How has contemporary krill diversity been impacted by changes in climate change and predation pressure over the last century?3. How has krill changed its biology in response to climate change and predation pressure?4. How adaptable are krill to climatic change?The outcomes of the KRILLGUARD project have far-reaching potential applications and benefits. The project's findings will inform policymakers, and the wider research community about the impact of climate change and fishing on Antarctic krill populations. This knowledge will help shape conservation strategies, sustainable fishing practices, and policies to protect the Southern Ocean ecosystem. The project's insights into population dynamics, resilience, and genetic diversity will aid in the rotation of fishing quotas across differentpopulations, ensuring the maintenance of genetic diversity and the avoidance of overfishing vulnerable subpopulations. Moreover, the project's efforts to develop genomic DNA markers specific to Antarctic krill will facilitate fisheries monitoring and enable quicker development of policies based on data. By unlocking the genomic potential of museum collections, the project will contribute to a better understanding of the effect of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem. It will provide a foundation for future research ingenomics, biodiversity change, and the utilization of natural history collections.Overall, the KRILLGUARD project seeks to safeguard the Southern Ocean ecosystem by studying Antarctic krill and understanding its response to climate change and fishing pressure. Through its scientific endeavors, the project aims to contribute to a healthy and resilient environment, tackle global environmental challenges, and support sustainable management of the Antarctic ecosystem.