On Tuesday evening, the Norwegian fishing vessel «Antarctic Sea» was rammed by an activist ship in Antarctica. Environmental activist Paul Watson accepts responsibility for the action.

The activist vessel MV «Bandero» sailed into the Norwegian fishing vessel «Antarctic Sea» in Antarctica on Tuesday evening. The Paul Watson Foundation confirms in a press release that the organisation was behind it, and that they blocked the Norwegian fishing for more than five hours.

The vessel belongs to Aker QRILL, a Norwegian company engaged in the commercial harvesting of krill. Much of the catch is processed into animal feed and omega-3 supplements.

Dagens Næringsliv first reported the incident.

Strong reactions

Chief Executive Officer Webjørn Barstad of Aker QRILL reacts strongly.

– We react very strongly to the use of such means, which are both dangerous for the safety of the crew and for the environment, says Barstad to NRK.

Watson maintains that krill fishing threatens the livelihood of whales, seals, penguins and seabirds in the Southern Ocean.

– Krill may be small, but they are the foundation of life in the Southern Ocean, says Watson in a press release.

– If we want whales to survive, we must protect their food.

Norway largest in krill

Figures from the Institute of Marine Research show that annual krill fishing in Antarctica is around 400,000 tonnes, a doubling compared to ten years ago. Norway is the largest actor. Watson claims that more than 70 per cent of last year’s fishing took place in areas where whales feed.

The total krill stock amounts to approximately 720 million tonnes, according to the Institute of Marine Research.

The Watson Foundation set sail with the activist vessel in February, with the stated aim of confronting the krill fishing fleet in Antarctica.