Twenty five countries including Australia, Russia and China are set to join leading krill harvesters to renegotiate catch limits and harvest zones this week, reports AFR.
The krill in the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean is the focus of the $30 billion supplements industry driving Australian companies like Blackmores, Swisse Vitamins and Pharmacare's Nature's Way.
Talks will center in Hobart, Australia, as environmental groups step up their campaign to protect the small, shrimp-like crustacean.
The total fishing limit for krill is set at 1% of their total biomass, compared with 10% for other fish species, which is considered a "highly precautionary" safeguard, according to Cilia Indahl, sustainability director for Norway's Aker BioMarine.
The big debate over the next fortnight will be around which areas are fished, and the push by environmental groups for no-take zones.
