In September I wrote about the terrible impact krill trawling was having on Antarctic ecosystems. Krill is a vital food source for whales, penguins and seals but these tiny crustaceans are being scooped up in vast numbers and processed into various products. Krill oil “health supplements” are sold in pharmacies around the globe including Australia.
Sea Shepherd, Greenpeace and the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) have been trying to inform the public about this. Their hope is consumer pressure will encourage companies to market only the non harmful alternatives. So, when The BBF announced plans for a national “Day of Action” on this issue, I put my hand up to organise a peaceful demonstration in our ocean loving “hood”.
The idea was to protest at various Chemist Warehouse outlets around the country against them stocking (primarily) Swisse branded krill oil. How convenient, one of these stores was perfectly placed on Manly Corso! Added momentum came from the news that global “wellness retailer” Holland and Barrett had committed to stop selling krill oil.
Given that strict protesting laws were put in place after the Bondi terrorist attack, I called into the Manly “cop shop” to advise them of my intent. I was met with bemused faces until one officer unearthed a requisite document requiring my details. I was advised to “snail mail” it directly to Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon (I never received a reply). I also called into Chemist Warehouse to speak to their Manager who politely revealed that she was aware of the day of action and understood the concerns.
Meanwhile support was growing in the community, one volunteer promising to bring a large penguin costume and another a giant cardboard whale.
The Bob Brown Foundation had created a website swissekrills.org where people can learn about the issue, sign up to attend the day of action and take part in a “social media storm”.
Protest day arrived. A collection of banners, placards and flyers were dutifully carted down the Corso for a 7.45 am start. A heart-warming mix of citizens tentatively appeared, armed with sleepy eyes and an array of handwritten signs. I’m told that our Northern Beaches protest attracted the largest turn out in Australia. Even a prominent local businessman offered fulsome support to the cause.
We shook our marine themed “booty”, gave the early morning coffee chuggers a free floor show and posed for social media fame. Chants such as “Chemist Warehouse, in the middle of our street, selling krill oil, which our whales need to eat” bounced around the meek streets of Manly.
The promised letter was duly delivered with the hope that senior Chemist Warehouse management would decide never to stock those nasty krill oil products ever again. A solitary and relaxed looking policeman ambled down the Corso as we were packing up, just to confirm that we hadn’t encountered any “trouble”.
Just one problem remained. How the hell were we going to prise Maureen out of that Penguin outfit? Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.
*At the UN Ocean Conference in 2025, scientists, public figures and conservationists demanded a complete end to krill fishing in Antarctica*