Krill oil’s conservation controversy

In implementing the ban Whole Foods posted a statement in its stores which reads:
“Krill are an important source of food for marine animals including penguins, seals, and whales in the Antarctic. Declines of some predator populations in the areas where the krill fishery operates suggest that fishery management needs to better understand how to evaluate the prey requirements of other marine species in order to set sustainable catch levels for krill. Consequently, at present we are choosing to discontinue the sale of krill supplements as we continue to evaluate this emerging research. Please consider alternatives to krill oil supplements such as fish oil or astaxanthin supplements.”

Of course, the krill oil industry insists that the krill fishery is well managed despite growing documented concerns about the future populations of whales and other sea mammals which feed on the krill.

Whether the krill fisheries are well managed or not, we can’t say for sure but as far as krill oil is concerned, our stance hasn’t changed…it does not have any proven benefits over and above a quality fish oil...and it costs a LOT more to get the same amount of Omega 3 DHA in a bottle.

Marketers of krill oil argue that krill has less contaminates than fish oil. It’s a good argument…especially when you compare some of the other fish oils on the market. The key to a good brand of fish oil lies in the source of the fish, and the handling and processing of it.

The Hoki fish that we use in our Omega 3 / DHA Fish Oil and Omega 3 / DHA Plus is sourced in the Southern Ocean off New Zealand and has some of the most incredible levels of purity you’ll ever find on the market. We’re proud of our fish oil and have provided you with the latest comprehensive results from a recent PCB analysis conducted by an independent certified laboratory.

Another benefit which is promoted by krill oil marketers is that the product contains astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is good but it is only in very small amounts in krill oil. In fact, many krill oil manufacturers add astaxanthin to bring the levels up to 200mcg per soft gel. We know this because some of them use astaxanthin from the same source as us. We add astaxanthin at the rate of 300mcgs per soft gel in our Omega 3 / DHA Plus.

You can read more about the conservation controversy facing the krill oil industry here.