Dr. W. Christiaan Oosthuizen 

In the Southern Ocean, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are a critical food source for animals such as penguins and whales. Krill also supports a growing commercial fishery, which may lead to resource conflicts with natural marine predators. CCAMLR - an international body under the Antarctic Treaty – aims to manage the krill fishery to ensure sufficient food remains for the region’s predators. My research focuses on the region’s three penguin species that rely heavily on krill, particularly chinstrap penguins, whose populations are currently declining. First, I will further develop and test tools that use animal-borne sensors (similar to information obtained from wearable tech used by human athletes) and machine learning to detect when penguins catch krill. This approach allows us to move beyond simply tracking where animals go to understanding how well they are feeding - key information for monitoring and managing the ecosystem. Using previously collected data, I will use the tools developed during this initial analysis to show how penguin feeding success varies across different environments. Finally, by mapping fishing activity in relation to breeding sites where predator populations are monitored, I aim to identify gaps in existing predator monitoring programmes. This work will help develop new tools and highlight priority areas most in need of monitoring, supporting the sustainable management of the Antarctic krill fishery.