Krill are the engine that powers the Antarctic ecosystem. They are a small semi-transparent crustacean like a shrimp, about 4-5 cm (2") in length when fully grown, they can live for up to 7 years. Krill belong to the animals that make up the zooplankton.
Many oceanic animals, including penguins and baleen whales (such as Blues, Rights, and Fin whales) eat krill.
Great factory ships have been sent down to the Antarctic by some nations, including Australia, to catch krill. Whether from fishing, or global warming, krill numbers may have dropped by as much as 80% since the 1970's - so today's stocks are a mere 1/5th of what they were only 30 years ago.
Many pharmacutical companies sell krill oil, promising health benefits to consumers. Let's keep the krill in the eco system where they belong! Don't let the pharmacuticals remove any more krill. Please ban all krill products!
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/krill.htm
