Krill Population

Krill form the most abundant living organism on the planet which is lucky for us as they provide one of the most promising new discoveries in the field of health supplements, krill oil. Scientists believe the total weight of all the Antarctic krill is more than the total weight of all the people on Earth.

Since 1994, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has set total allowable catch limits for the entire Antarctic of only 620,000 tons, or 1% of the total estimated biomass in the designated catch area. Krill is one of the largest in the oceans; the actual current catch in the Southern Ocean is less than 300,000 tons per year, or 0.5% of the biomass. These catch limits are under CCAMLR’s strict supervision and are regularly reassessed. In actuality, this is one of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world.

According to the WWF, Antarctic krill is one of the world’s most underexploited marine stocks and the total catch limit of 8.6 million tonnes around the whole of Antarctica is around 40 times greater than the current annual catch of 210,000 tonnes. In contrast WWF indicated that “As many as 90% of all the ocean’s large fish have been fished out.

Eco Harvesting

Aker BioMarine developed and patented a continuous mid-water/pelagic trawl system

Sustainable Fishery

This technology, uses a specially designed trawl system and direct hose connection between the trawl and the vessel,  and holds a special mechanism that singles out unwanted by-catch (non-krill species) and releases it unharmed. The equipment stays under water while a continuous stream of water flows through the hose, bringing the krill live and fresh directly into the factory vessel, which allows for processing of fresh raw material with superior product quality..

MSC

Cleanmarine® was the first Omega 3 Oil in Europe to be awarded MSC Certification.

Camiel Derichs, Regional Director at the Marine Stewardship Council

“The Aker BioMarine Antarctic krill fishery has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to ensuring the sustainability of its fishing practices. Its precautionary approach to catch levels, investments in science and actions to reduce bycatch mean that it is now one of the best performing fisheries in the MSC program. Passing reassessment with no conditions or reconditions is testament to this.”

Protecting Seals & Penguins

Predators consume around 32% the total krill biomass each year, far more than the 1% total catch allowance for krill fishing vessels.

Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Taken together, the evidence is overwhelming: krill populations and predator populations of penguins, seals and whales are not being influenced by krill fishing. Current krill catch limits are so small in relation to the overall population, as to be insignificant. ‘Trigger’ levels set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) also ensure that fishing effort is spread across the whole area, rather than concentrated in one area.

World Wildlife Fund

A Greenpeace campaign to protect the Antarctic Ocean, backed by 1.7 million people globally, has received the unprecedented support of the vast majority of krill fishing companies operating in Antarctic waters.

Protecting Antarctica

“WWF welcomes the initiative by Aker BioMarine and other ARK members to voluntarily commit to protecting Antarctica and its extraordinary wildlife. A comprehensive and effective network of marine protected areas surrounding the continent – which must include no-take marine sanctuaries – is essential for safeguarding biodiversity and improving sustainable fisheries. The accelerating impact of humanity on fragile ocean ecosystems, including from climate change, makes this commitment to Antarctic protection all the more timely.”