For the sixth year in a row, the Antarctic krill fishery was awarded an A rating as the only reduction fishery in very good condition. This rating comes from the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), an independent non-profit organization that evaluates the sustainability of global fisheries.

Each year, the SFP releases a Reduction Fisheries Sustainability Overview which analyzes reduction fishery stocks worldwide. Rating criteria are based on five key areas: management strategy, managers’ compliance, fishers’ compliance, current stock health and future stock health. Aker BioMarine and the overall krill fishery scored over 8 points, earning an “A rating.”

According to Runa Haug Khoury, director Sustainability and Public Affairs at Aker BioMarine, “we are very pleased to see that the strict quotas, the transparency through observer coverage and the collective industry efforts within the Antarctic krill fishery continues to receive the SFP’s appraisal. At Aker BioMarine, we remain committed to pushing the global agenda for improved ocean management. What we are trying to achieve in the Antarctic krill fishery is an example of data-driven innovation for improved ocean management that we hope will have learning effects spreading to other, less well-managed fisheries.”

Three percent of the total catch volume of the reduction fisheries in this analysis comes from stocks in very good condition (Category A). As in the previous editions, this corresponds to a single fishery, Antarctic krill - Atlantic Southern Ocean. This stock is managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and has had MSC-certified fisheries since 2010.

Aker BioMarine recently announced that it received its third consecutive certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its sustainable Antarctic krill fishery following an independent assessment. The company was initially certified in 2010, being the first krill company ever to carry the MSC label.

“To us, it makes no sense to take something out of the ocean to improve our health, if it simultaneously compromises the health of the ocean,” said Matts Johansen, CEO, Aker BioMarine. “At Aker BioMarine, we are pioneering new ways and better solutions to help push the krill industry forward with sustainability at the core of everything we do.”