Aker BioMarine harvests krill and provides the krill oil used in Schiff MegaRed. From the beginning, Aker BioMarine has been participating in worldwide efforts to ensure sustainability of krill and all Antarctic life dependent on krill.

Euphausia superba Dana (Antarctic krill) is found in Antarctic waters at depth of about 100-200 meters south of the 55° S latitude between the polar front to the north and the ice-covered Antarctic shelves to the south and is believed to amount to the order of up to 400 to 500 million metric tons (human biomass is 250 million metric tons) (Aker 2009, Atkinson 2004, Clarke 2008, Demer 2004, Ewing 1991, Falk-Petersen 2000, Greene 1991, Hewitt 2003, Hewitt 2004a, Hewitt 2004b, Kasatkina 2004, Kawaguchi 2006, Loeb 1997, Murphy 2004, Nicol 1999). Thus krill play an important role in the ecosystem of the Antarctic seas. The abundance of krill in the various areas depends on the availability of its food source, mainly phytoplankton and algae (Atkinson 2004, Fach 2008, Hewitt 2000, Nicol 1994), but they have an opportunistic feeding pattern and may feed on almost any available plankton (Frazer 1996, Hopkins 1993, Perissinotto 1997, Quetin 1994). Krill have been seen feeding as far down as 3,000 meters (Clarke 2008, Falk-Petersen 2000).

Harvesting krill in a commercially viable and environmentally sound way is challenging. Traditional trawling methods where the catch is hauled up on deck and emptied into holding tanks before processing is unsuitable. Krill at the bottom of the trawl net are crushed and their digestive enzymes released. Krill contains highly potent digestive enzymes that operate at freezing and sub-freezing temperatures (the temperature of the Antarctic Ocean) and start to self-digest before they can be processed by cold extraction techniques. Ideally, krill should be processed immediately after catch. Furthermore, unwanted by-catch, e.g. birds, fish or seals, is a problem with regular trawling in the South Atlantic and may pose a threat to the fragile marine eco-system in the Antarctic (Aker 2009).

Aker Biomarine's Eco-harvesting system allows the fishing net to stay under water during the entire operation. The equipment stays under water while a continuous stream of water flows through the hose, bringing the krill live and fresh directly to the fishing vessel which allows for immediate processing of fresh raw material with superior product quality (Aker 2009). The technology holds a special mechanism that singles out unwanted by-catch, releasing it unharmed. This type of harvesting causes minimal environmental impact and prevents enzymatic degradation of krill. This is also the key to preserving key nutrients in the end product. Aker Biomarine's Eco-harvesting system is patent pending (Rokke 2008). Combined with Aker Biomarine's unmatched experience in constructing and operating fishing vessels, this patented harvesting method ensures the freshest and most eco-friendly krill harvest available.

Harvesting occurs from November through April and the current overall harvest is below 160,000 tons per year (Aker 2009, CCAMLR 2010). Fishing of krill is expected to increase but experts agree that allowable harvesting levels are safe and well within the precautionary limits of 4 million tons set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) (CCAMLR 2010, Gascon 2006, Hewitt 2001, Hewitt 2004c, Jones 2004, Mori 2006). The total allowable catch of metric tons is calculated after the part that goes to food for whales, seals, penguins have been deducted (Aker 2009, CCAMLR 2010, Reid 2004).

The aim of the CCAMLR, which was founded in 1982 as part of the Antarctic Treaty System, is to conserve marine life of the Southern Ocean and it concerns fisheries regulation as well implementation of a holistic approach to the management of marine living resources in the Southern Ocean. CCAMLR has 25 full member nations, and the process of obtaining a license for krill fishing is stringent and restricted (CCAMLR 2010, Aker 2009). CCAMLR has established a so-called trigger level, which is currently 620,000 metric tons. This is the limit for how much krill can be harvested before special resource management measures are implemented.

Aker Biomarine is collaborating closely with key groups such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Marine Institute on scientific issues concerning krill. Observers from British Antarctic Survey are permanently onboard the company's fishing vessel Saga Sea reporting back to CCAMLR, monitoring the catching process and assessing impact on non-target species such as fish larvae. Due to the deep fishing techniques there is no by-catch of large predators such as birds or marine mammals. Other ecological impacts (e.g. carbon footprint) are being monitored, quantified and managed in association with Dalhousie University, Canada. The sonar data from Saga Sea fishing operations is being shared for analysis and research (Aker 2009).

Thus, Schiff® MegaRed® is harvested in a unique eco-friendly way that cannot be duplicated by other krill oils. Product purity, potency, stability and freshness are maximized by this patented process. Schiff® Nutrition is proud to partner with Aker Biomarine - a company that cares about sustainability and accountability.