5. Research Center
Abundant research has been conducted on the sustainability and nutritional benefits of krill. Krill are zooplankton invertebrates that swim in huge swarms in the Antarctic waters and feed on microscopic algae called phytoplankton. This phytoplankton produces omega-3 fatty acids, causing the krill themselves to become rich in accumulated fatty acids.
Krill in science
Halley research station, operated by the British Antarctic Survey
Research has found that krill oil's unique composition produces phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA. Many clinical studies have confirmed that the phospholipid form of omega-3s results in improved bio-efficiency of these essential fatty acids. Because of the increased bio-efficiency krill oil supplements are 300 to 500 ml, making the capsules small and easy to swallow. And because of the phospholipid composition, krill oil supplements don't cause digestive discomfort or "fishy" tasting burps.
Superior source of nutrition
The same algae that provides the krill's diet with such a robust source of omega-3s is also the source of the powerful natural antioxidant astaxanthin. And as Antarctic Krill are so low in the food chain and live in the cleanest waters on earth, they are naturally low in accumulated contaminants. All these factors together make krill a truly superior source of nutrition for their natural predators as well as for humans. Krill have been consumed by humans for many years, both as a food source in some cultures, but more commonly the krill is processed and oil is extracted for use as a dietary supplement of the phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA.
Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to assess krill's health benefits.
The Journey is Everything
Ernest Shackleton
is best known for leading the Imperial Trans-Atlantic Antarctic expedition of 1914 with two ships, the Endurance and the Aurora. After becoming locked in the ice in early 1915, the Endurance sank, stranding its crew on the ice for nearly 500 days. Read more When the crew finally reached the frozen and inhospitable Elephant Island, Shackleton and five of his men embarked on an open boat journey to the whaling stations on distant South Georgia. After 15 days at sea, the five men landed in South Georgia and had to then travel 36 hours by foot across the island to reach help. Shackleton returned to Elephant Island to rescue his crew on August 30, 1916; remarkably the entire crew of the Endurance survived.
Read more
Important links
- Marine Resources & Fisheries Consultants Info
Description:
MRAG is a consulting firm dedicated to promoting sustainable utilization of natural resources through sound integrated management policies and practices. MRAG has worked in most regions of the world, both in developed and developing nations, for a range of international clients that include both governments and inter-government agencies.
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition Info
Description:
Founded in 1978, ASOC is the only non-governmental organization working full time to preserve the Antarctic continent and its surrounding Southern Ocean. A coalition of over 30 NGOs interested in Antarctic environmental protection, ASOC represents the environmental community at Antarctic governance meetings and works to promote important Antarctic conservation goals
- Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Info
Description:
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was established in response to concerns that an increase in krill catches in the Southern Ocean could have a serious effect on populations of krill and other marine life; particularly on birds, seals and fish, which mainly depend on krill for food. The aim of the Convention is to conserve marine life of the Southern Ocean.
- Marine Stewardship Council Info
Description:
The MSC is the world's leading certification and ecolabelling program for sustainable seafood. The organization's aim is to transform the world's seafood markets and promote sustainable fishing practices.
- British Antarctic Survey Info
Description:
The British Antarctic Survey is one of the world's leading environmental research centres and is responsible for the UK's national scientific activities in the region.
- World Wildlife Foundation Info
Description:
From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations – supported by 5 million people and active in over 100 countries on five continents. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of our planet's natural environment, and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
- GOED Omega-3 Info
Description:
GOED is a not-for-profit trade association focused on growing the markets for EPA and DHA products.
- United State Antarctic
Program InfoDescription:The United States Antarctic Program represents the American Nation in Antarctica. Carrying forward U.S. goals supporting the Antarctic Treaty, the program strives to encourage international cooperation, maintain an active and influential presence in the region, and continue to conduct high-quality science research.
- Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies Info
Description:
Responsible krill harvesters make every effort to limit the environmental impact of the fishery. ARK is a global krill industry association developed to promote research for the sustainable harvest of Antarctic Krill and to generate scientific data from krill fishing operations in order to facilitate CCAMLR's management of the krill fishery.
Interesting Facts:
-
47
number of
countries
who have signed the Antarctic Treaty -
98%
of Antarctica is covered by fresh water ice -
2
inches of precipitation fall in Antarctica
each year
on average -
70%
of world's fresh water
is
frozen -
29
number of
nations
that send scientists to conduct experiments in Antarctica -
If
Antarctica
melted,
the sea level could rise
200 feet
worldwide -
0
number of
govern-
mentsthat rule Antarctica
-
2½
the size, in inches, of the
average
krill -
Krill can go for up to
200
days
without eating
-
Summer
has
only
reached
maximum of 58F -
4,000
Average Antarctic human population
in
summer
-
Antarctica
is the driest
continent
on Earth
(less than 2 inches of rain per year) -
Winter
temperature
can
drop
as low as
-20F -
2,000,000
estimated
tons of krill
in a swarm -
10
number of years krill can
live -
10,000
number of
eggs
a female krill lays at one time -
Krill is more than
twice
the total weight of all humans
on earth -
There
are no native land
mammals
in
Antarctica -
0
Number of
permanent
residents
in Antarctica
-
1,000
Average Antarctic human population
in
the winter
-
90%
the world's
ice
is in Antarctica -
10
Number of
human babies
born in Antarctica
-
Antarctica is
1.5 times the size
of the
United States