Protecting the Oceans Vital Food Source: Krill

Krill may be small, but their impact on the ocean ecosystem is enormous. These tiny crustaceans, resembling shrimp, are the foundation of the marine food web, supporting countless species, from the largest whales to the smallest fish. Yet, they are under threat from industrial fishing, driven largely by the growing demand for omega-3 supplements. At Sea Shepherd, we recognize the vital role krill play in maintaining ocean health, which is why we’re fighting to protect them.

Krill are a crucial food source for a wide range of marine animals, including whales, seals, penguins, fish, and seabirds. In the Antarctic, for example, krill are the primary diet of blue whales, the largest animals on Earth. Without krill, these magnificent creatures would struggle to survive.

But krill’s importance goes beyond feeding predators. They play a significant role in the ocean’s carbon cycle. By consuming phytoplankton, which absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, krill help transfer carbon to the deep sea when they excrete waste or when they die and sink. This natural process helps regulate the Earth’s climate, making krill not only essential for marine ecosystems but also for the planet’s health.

Krill are being harvested at an alarming rate, primarily to meet the growing demand for omega-3 supplements. As industrial-scale fishing fleets target krill populations in the Antarctic, they are stripping away the primary food source for countless marine species, including whales, seals, penguins, and fish.

This exploitation is driven by the supplement industry’s demand for krill oil, marketed as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, the environmental cost of this demand is devastating. By depleting krill populations, industrial fishing disrupts entire marine ecosystems, threatening the survival of species that depend on them for nourishment.

The problem isn’t limited to krill. Fish oil supplements also contribute to the overfishing crisis, targeting species that are crucial to ocean food webs. These unsustainable practices compromise marine biodiversity, endanger predator species, and destabilize the natural balance of the oceans.

At Sea Shepherd, we believe in protecting the oceans by addressing the root causes of environmental destruction. To reduce the demand for krill oil, we’ve partnered with Seavoir, a vegan omega-3 supplement that contains no krill.

Seavoir’s omega-3 is sourced from algae, the original source of omega-3s in the ocean food chain. By going straight to the source, Seavoir provides the same essential nutrients without harming krill populations or disrupting marine ecosystems.

This partnership supports sustainable living choices while protecting the oceans’ guardians. By choosing plant-based omega-3s, consumers can maintain their health without compromising the health of our planet.

Krill may be small, but their impact on the ocean and the planet is monumental. Sea Shepherd is committed to safeguarding krill populations from unsustainable fishing practices, preserving the balance of marine ecosystems, and protecting the species that depend on them.

Through partnerships like the one with Seavoir, we’re offering real solutions to the environmental challenges we face. By choosing sustainable alternatives, we can protect krill and, in turn, protect the oceans.

Join us in our mission to defend ocean wildlife and preserve the ecosystems that sustain all life on Earth.