With planet Earth barrelling towards an earlier than predicted mass extinction event, conservation science is more important than ever. Keeping species alive in suitable habitats is the main priority for many conservation biologists, like Leonid Pshenichnov, aged 70, who has been working to protect Antarctic krill for four decades. As the cornerstone of marine life, the survival of krill is crucial to the longevity of many marine species. It is widely accepted that their conservation is vital. However, politics is intertwined with everything, whether or not we want it to be. Politics underpinning environmental decisions doesn’t always create the best outcomes; the arrest of Pshenichnov by Russia for treason in September is a prime example of this. So, what did he do that was so controversial, and what are the implications of this arrest on the future of conservation?
Krill are the foundation of marine life, and the survival of these tiny crustaceans is essential to maintaining ocean biodiversity. Many important projects are underway to monitor, understand and protect this species. For example, the Krill from Space Project, which has been previously explored by The Gaudie, aims to help scientists understand their distribution and identify problem areas that need to be prioritised. Additionally, the KRILLGUARD project is using DNA analysis to discover how krill are adapting to climate change. Creating marine protected areas (MPAs) and restricting krill harvesting have also been undertaken to help preserve this important species. Pshenichnov had been working to reduce krill harvesting as part of his conservation work.
Most would agree that calling for a reduction in the harvesting of an essential species isn’t treason. So why exactly has Leonid Pshenichnov been arrested? Like a lot of political issues, it’s more complicated than it appears on the surface. Pshenichnov represents Ukraine in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and is actively involved in advocating for new MPAs and monitoring Antarctic marine populations. He also lives in Crimea, a region with a complicated history that has been occupied by Russia since 2014. Pshenichnov was born when Crimea was Ukrainian territory, placing him in a politically sensitive position. Russia is currently working to reinstate large-scale fishing, and Antarctic krill are often used as feed during aquaculture. This means that if Pshenichnov’s campaigns and ideas are passed through, they could have significant economic damage to Russia. This, combined with the fact that he is representing Ukraine, whilst technically being a Russian citizen, has led to his arrest. The repercussions of this arrest could be significant for both the future of marine life and conservation science.
As an influential character in krill conservation, Pshenichnov’s sudden removal from his work could have extreme ramifications for these crustaceans. Monitoring is key to ensuring that conservation strategies for this species are targeted, focused, and likely to be effective in the long term. A drop in monitoring could lead to ineffective management programmes and MPAs being set up in the wrong parts of the ocean. With significance in marine life and climate sequestration, the impact of poor management could lead to other marine species, such as penguins and whales, suffering. Climate targets will also be more difficult to reach with less krill available to absorb carbon.
Additionally, a scientist being arrested for presenting evidence-based arguments could be damaging to the future of conservation. If scientists feel threatened for forming educated answers to environmental problems, they may hesitate to speak up. Consequently, policies made for political and industrial interests could be passed without objection or scrutiny, even when their effects on the planet will be detrimental. Without open communication about threats to species and habitats, formulating solutions and implementing conservation programmes will be significantly harder.
Leonid Pshenichnov’s arrest does not meet the charge of ‘high treason’, and many believe that being apprehended for campaigning for conservation is unjust. Being wrongfully arrested is an event that will likely affect Pshenichnov for the rest of his life. The effects of this will ripple out and impact much more than one individual. Punishing scientists for their research could make the world of conservation an intimidating place to be, with current scientists too afraid to speak up, and aspiring ones too fearful to pursue the career. Russia’s industrial krill harvesting, and the tactics employed to achieve it, is therefore putting the effectiveness of global conservation efforts, the future of our planet and the moral compass of the scientific world, on the line.