However, the Antarctic krill fishery faces criticism, for its potential to disrupt a vital food web in one of the world's most important ecosystems. © Aker Qrill Company
Called Krill Science Hub, Aker claims it’s “the world's first comprehensive digital platform dedicated to Antarctic krill and ecosystem research” and it features curated peer-reviewed scientific literature.
“Antarctica and its krill ecosystem are among the most important areas on Earth. Until now, no centralised platform existed to aggregate the scattered but significant body of research on this vital ecosystem. Krill Science Hub addresses this gap by systematically collecting and presenting peer-reviewed studies from 2005-2025, covering krill biomass dynamics, ecosystem interactions, and environmental impacts of harvesting,” said the fisheries company in a press release.
"Centralising peer-reviewed Antarctic research in an accessible format addresses a critical need in polar science. Initiatives like this will significantly benefit both the scientific community and informed public discourse by making decades of rigorous ecosystem research readily available to those who need it most," said Bjørn Krafft, principal scientist at Institute of Marine Research, Norway.
The platform launches with 50 peer-reviewed articles from leading academic journals, each accompanied by expert-drafted summaries and key findings sections to enhance accessibility for diverse audiences. This approach reflects the platform's commitment to maintaining the highest academic standards while making complex research understandable to non-specialists.
Krill Science Hub operates as an independent platform, welcoming input and suggestions from the global scientific community. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to democratise access to scientific research and bridge the gap between academic findings and public understanding.
"The Antarctic region plays a fundamental role in global ocean systems, yet access to comprehensive research on krill and the broader ecosystem has been fragmented and challenging," said Pål Skogrand, VP policy and Impact at Aker Qrill Company.
"Krill Science Hub represents the first site where decades of rigorous Antarctic science have been gathered in one accessible location," he added.
