The portion of the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishery in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean fished by Norwegian company Aker BioMarine Co Ltd has entered the full assessment process for Marine Stewardship Council certification. If successful, Aker BioMarine products from the fishery – which include nutraceuticals and feeds for aquaculture – will be eligible to carry the MSC eco-label.
“For us, it is of paramount importance to harvest krill in a responsible and sustainable way. We expect to harvest 55,000 tons next year. It is all about using state-of-the-art technology to maximize the value of the biomass we harvest,” says Kjell Inge Røkke, CEO of Aker BioMarine.”
The krill fishery is managed by the international Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) which establishes conservation measures for the fishery on an annual basis. Fishing levels are set at precautionary catch limits and animals dependant on krill, such as marine mammals and birds are evaluated under the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP).
Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC says: “Aker BioMarine’s decision to enter the Antarctic Krill fishery for full assessment demonstrates the importance of sustainability in wild-capture fisheries beyond direct consumption by humans. Krill is a critically important species in the Antarctic food chain and Aker BioMarine’s commitment to using the most rigorous and credible assessment scheme to assess the Antarctic krill fishery highlights the value of hard science in this fishery. The full assessment will involve a team of independent specialists evaluating the fishery in a transparent, scientific and stakeholder-engaged process.”
