Aker BioMarine's CEO Makes the Case That Conservation and Omega-3 Supply Aren't at Odds

In this second part of Nutritional Outlook's exclusive video interview, Senior Editor Nicholas Saraceno asks Aker BioMarine CEO Matts Johansen how exactly krill fishing's regulatory structure compares to Peru's anchovy fishery, and whether elements of that model could be applied more broadly as climate pressure mounts on omega-3 sourcing.

Johansen explains that krill fishing operates under a notably conservative and transparent framework, with independent observers required on every vessel and oversight concentrated largely through one major player, Aker QRILL Company, which catches roughly 60% of the world's krill. He contrasts this with Peru's fragmented fleet of small vessels, where consistent oversight is harder to enforce, though he notes Peru's willingness to halt fishing during periods of stress shows the system still functions as intended.

Rather than framing governance as the central issue, Johansen argues traceability will matter most as supply tightens. He warns that supply chain pressure creates incentives for "bad actors" to cut corners, blending unsustainable sourcing into supply chains in ways that strip consumers of visibility into what they're actually buying. He positions MSC certification and full supply chain transparency as critical safeguards in that scenario.

The conversation then turns to Aker's public support for a marine-protected area covering roughly 70% of the Antarctic Peninsula. Johansen frames conservation and commercial catch volumes as complementary rather than competing goals, explaining that protected spawning grounds can ultimately support larger sustainable catches over time. He pushes back on the idea that conservation measures inherently limit industry, calling that a common misconception, and argues that well-managed protections can preserve or even grow future catch potential.

Saraceno closes by noting how much misinformation exists around these topics, thanking Johansen for helping clarify the realities facing the omega-3 supply chain.

A transcript of their conversation can be found below.

Nicholas Saraceno: Krill fishing does operate under a completely different regulatory and certification framework than the anchovy fishery, including CCAMLR oversigh and MSC certification. How directly comparable is that governance model to what is happening in Peru? The 1B to that is, could elements of it be applied to the fisheries facing similar climate pressure?

Matts Johansen: Yes, it could be. It is deemed as the most sustainable fishery in the world because the quotas are very conservative. It's very transparent. All our vessels need to have an independent observer on board reporting everything that happens. You have a responsible industry. It’s easy to do because our sister company, Aker QRILL Company, are catching, let's say 60% of all the krill in the world.

There's 1 big player that can structure things, make things right. If you look at the Peruvian fisheries, with many small fishing vessels, it's very difficult to demand them all to have an independent observer on board. It’s going to be very difficult, but at the same time, the fact that they are shutting down the fishery now is its signal that it works. When things are in distress, they stop fishing, so think it is a system that works. I don't think it's so much about that.

Rather, I think it's the sustainability angle here. It's going to be more about traceability because let's say in a situation where there's a squeeze on supply chains, you will have companies making shortcuts in the supply chain, getting something that is not sustainable, mixing it in with something else, and you lose control of what is it that you're giving to the consumers. I think from that perspective, being MSC certified or being able to your supply chain and full transparency and all of that—it's going to be very key in this stressful situation.

Saraceno: It’s very worrisome that you mentioned that too. There’s always going to be "bad actors" that are looking to cut corners in those regards, so it is certainly a scary thought. You've also publicly supported a marine-protected area around the Antarctic Peninsula that would cover about 70% of that region. I'm curious, how does Aker weigh long-term ecosystem protection commitments like that, against say, the near-term catch volumes and supply demands from customers who are in need of predictable growing quantities of omega-3 ingredients? How are you balancing those demands? What's that process like?

Johansen: It is a balance that you say, and if you think about it, I mean, there's a goal of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030 that most nations have kind of committed to, and we're not doing too well on actually getting there. The theory is if you protect a large amount of the ocean, and it becomes a spawning ground for marine life, it means you can catch more in the remaining areas.

That is also the way we're looking at it. By putting together these sustainable efforts, being marine-protected areas, or the way we have the krill fishery management, all those elements will ensure that we can catch at least what we catch today, but potentially also more in the future if we manage it well. I think that's a big misunderstanding when it comes to a lot of these conservation measures, that it's not necessarily a negative for industry. It’s very positive for the industry and allows us to be able to catch more into the future.

Saraceno: Of course. I think having that long-term vision is going to be crucial, now, especially at this point in time. Matts, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me and Nutritional Outlook just to break it down for our viewers and our listeners. I think they're going to receive a lot of benefit from this because there's a lot of misconceptions floating around, or maybe people just don't have all the information that they need, so I think this was very beneficial for everybody. I really appreciate you taking the time.

Johansen: Thank you.