Fishing in Antarctica: Prohibited, Not "Good"

Commercial fishing is banned within the Antarctic Treaty area (all land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude) under the 1998 Protocol on Environmental Protection. The ban protects the fragile Southern Ocean ecosystem—home to unique species like Antarctic krill, toothfish, penguins, seals, and whales. Limited scientific research fishing occurs under strict permits, but no commercial or recreational fishing is allowed. The premise that fishing is "good" there is incorrect; it's legally prohibited to preserve biodiversity.