Aker BioMarine’s Antarctic krill fishery was awarded an A-rating from the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) in its 2021 review. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the company received this recognition from the non-profit organisation which assesses stocks and fisheries in the Pacific and Atlantic.
An A-rating from SFP is achieved if the fishery earns more than eight of ten possible points across the organisation’s rating system. Aker’s Antarctic krill fishery earned between eight to ten points in all categories.
The rating system evaluates fisheries in five key areas: management strategy, manager’s compliance, fishers’ compliance, current stock health and future stock health. In its sustainability overview for 2021, SFP said it’s seeing an overall increase in commitment among the seafood industry, particularly in the areas of sustainable sourcing and active improvements in the fisheries.
The company says its precautionary approach to krill management and stringent catch limits were the main factors that allowed it to achieve this high rating. It collaborates with industry and non-governmental partners with the aim of ensuring robust fishery management under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is maintained and constantly improved.
“SFP’s rating is an important measure for us at Aker BioMarine because it tells not only the story of our own journey to meeting our 2030 sustainability targets, but also the bigger picture story about how a fishery can operate well in a thriving surrounding ecosystem,” said Matts Johansen, CEO, Aker BioMarine.
“In a time where oceans are under pressure from climate change, fisheries and fisheries management are put under high scrutiny. It is reassuring for us to have another validation of the performance of the krill fishery from a strong source like SFP,” said Pål Skogrand, Director of Sustainability and Antarctic Affairs at Aker BioMarine.
