Why Choose Sustainable Krill?

Abiding by sustainable harvesting practice is critical for the preservation of the krill population, as well as the wellbeing of other sea life.

Antarctic krill are an essential part of the ecosystem and serve as a food source for marine life such as whales, seals and penguins.

Krill are small crustaceans, similar to shrimp, that exist in abundance in the freezing waters of the Antarctic Ocean.

The total biomass of Antarctic krill is estimated to be 125 million to 750 million tonnes. In the area approved for harvesting, the total biomass is estimated to be 60 tonnes.

Traditional trawling methods result in a high incidence of “bycatch” mortality. Bycatch refers to the incidental capture of non-target species, and it kills billions of unwanted marine life annually, including seals, dolphins, turtles and sea birds.

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) describes bycatch as “one of the greatest and most pervasive threats to life in the oceans”.

Eco-harvesting of krill means the trawl net remains under water throughout the entire fishing operation, as opposed to regular methods whereby the nets are brought up to the surface at different periods.

 

Watch the video below to see how Eco-Harvesting works:

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When the nets come and go from the surface, the incidence of sea birds, seals, turtles and other marine life becoming trapped is high.

This method of Eco-harvesting also delivers the krill live and fresh to the vessel, using a flexible hose and air injection system, which allows for processing of fresh raw material and the preservation of crucial nutrients.

Traditional trawling methods – where catch is dragged on deck and placed in holding tanks before processing – are generally unsuitable as krill can suffer enzymatic degradation prior to processing.

Aker BioMarine co-operates closely with WWF Norway and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), as well as actively supporting scientific research for the Commission of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), to assist in the management of sustainable krill resources.

 

BioCeuticals UltraClean Antarctic Krill oil is sourced from Aker BioMarine, which uses the highest environmental standards and sustainable Eco-harvesting practices. This Krill Oil is also the strongest available providing 1500mg Krill Oil per capsule. 

 

Further Reading:

 

 

 

References

1. Aker BioMarine. Aker BioMarine’s Commitment to Sustainability. Norway, 2011, http://www.akerbiomarine.com

2. World Wildlife Foundation. Bycatch — What is the problem? http://www.smartgear.org/