Table of Contents
How does overfishing affect krill?
Their harvesting of Antarctic krill may upset the food chain and the animals that consume them such as penguins, whales, and seals (ASOC). Fisheries are currently engaging with overfishing of the krill and toothfish because they are the ones who fish them and continue to fish for them to make money and food.
Why do we fish for krill?
Krill support the largest fishery in the Southern Ocean, supplying a market for nutritional supplements and other products. The small, shrimp-like crustaceans are also a critical food source for penguins, other seabirds, marine mammals, and other species.
What are Antarctic krill used for?
Harvested krill is mainly used for the production of krill meal and krill oil, which in turn is used for animal feed and for direct human consumption through health products.
Why do krill thrive in Antarctica?
Antarctic krill are filter feeders that eat tiny phytoplankton (pelagic algae). They use their small, hair-like legs to filter out these microscopic algae that bloom in the nutrient-rich waters around Antarctica. These blooms are densest at the ice edge, so Antarctic krill are often also densest near that system.
Is red krill oil the same as fish oil?
While fish oil is typically a shade of yellow, a naturally occurring antioxidant called astaxanthin gives krill oil a reddish color. Krill oil is a supplement that contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The chemical structure of its fatty acids and red color set it apart from fish oil.
Is it illegal to fish in Antarctica?
As its name implies, the Convention is focused on conserving Antarctic ecosystems. Fishing is allowed, but with important restrictions: any fishery can only have a very limited impact on the ecosystem and should be managed in a way that minimizes risk to ecosystems.
How long do krill live for?
Antarctic krill can live up to 10 years, an amazing longevity for such a heavily hunted creature. They spend their days avoiding predators in the cold depths of the Antarctic Ocean, some 320 feet below the surface.
Is krill oil bad for your kidneys?
As of 2009, the evidence for the use of krill oil in human diseases is very limited (only 13 sources in the scientific literature!) and none exists for its use in patients with kidney disease. There are currently no scientific guidelines or medical associations that recommend the use of Krill oil as a substitute.
Is it safe to take krill oil everyday?
It is not recommended to exceed 5,000 mg of EPA and DHA combined per day, from either diet or supplements (26). Finally, keep in mind that some people shouldn’t take krill oil without consulting their doctors.