Antarctic krill - small and mighty

 

Krill is one of our planet’s largest biomasses. This tiny crustacean, present in all oceans, holds a vital position in the marine food chain. Through millions of years of evolution, krill has developed a unique combination of bioactive nutrients to support Nature’s diverse species. Positioned at the bottom of the food chain, krill feed on plankton, resulting in very low levels of pollutants, including dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. Since 2006, Aker QRILL Company has been developing the harvesting and processing of krill from the Antarctic Southern Ocean’s Area 48 (Antarctic Peninsula) into high-quality aquaculture feed ingredients.

 

Feed for aquaculture and pets including our krill products has been known to improve aquaculture efficiency and pets wellbeing since well over a decade. Krill is a sustainable source of components including protein, omega-3 phospholipids, vitamins, osmolytes, feed attractants and astaxanthin. Omega-3 fatty acids are present in both phospholipids and triglyceride form.

 

 

Why the world needs krill

Aker QRILL Company exists to sustainably harness the power of krill to meet the world's growing demand for healthy, renewable nutrition. At a time when global resources are under strain, our responsibly managed krill fishery provides essential proteins and omega-3s—vital nutrients for human and animal health. The United Nations and other global authorities have highlighted the urgent challenge to produce more "blue foods" from the ocean. We will happily take on this challenge.

 

We believe that sustainably sourced marine resources like krill are key to addressing the future of food and nutrition. Aker QRILL Company is here to be part of covering this need, responsibly delivering a valuable source of nutrition from the ocean to the world while safeguarding it for generations to come.

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Krill facts

This little creature is special in its presence. Here are some facts that might interest you.

  • + Size of biomass

    In the Southern Ocean, one species, the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, makes up an estimated biomass of around 500 000 000 tons, making it among the species with the largest total biomass.

  • + Where krill lives

    Krill are small crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea found in all the world's oceans.

  • + Food chain

    Krill is considered an essential trophic level connection – near the bottom of the food chain – because they feed on phytoplankton and (to a lesser extent) zooplankton, converting these into a form suitable for many larger animals for whom krill makes up the most significant part of their diet.