Even as China and the European Union inked a marine cooperation agreement in July that will see them working to protect Antarctic ecosystems, a major Chinese fishing firm is building a giant processing facility for krill from the South Pole in eastern China.
Jiangsu Shen Lan Yuan Yang Fishing Co. is building the project in the city of Nantong, according to the city government, which published a report on its visit to the firm.
The firm, also known as Jiangsu Sunline Deep Sea Fishery Co. Ltd. or Sunline Fishery, aims to produce human health products such as “blood fat thinning” products, as well as aquatic feed. Set up with CNY 300 million (USD 44.1 million, EUR 37.7 million) capital, the company claims to operate China’s most modern and only purpose built krill fishing vessel, the “Shen Lan.”
Krill oil, rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, is a popular nutritional supplement, but a recent report from Greenpeace claims growing demand – krill has also become a popular input for pet, livestock, and aquaculture feed – is fueling commercial fishing in Antarctica, which is in turn endangering polar wild life like penguins which depend on krill for their survival.
