AquaOmega aims to have a positive impact on planet Earth’s oceans and fragile ecosystems as a whole. We support both local and global organizations that are making a positive impact on the environment today, and for generations to come. That’s why we use anchovies to source our omega-3 supplements.
Why the Anchovy is perfect
Anchovies are small saltwater fish that are generally found in large schools. With over 100 different species, they are spread across various regions of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They are naturally very high in Omega-3 fatty acids due to the fact that their principal source of food is actually algae, and not other fish. The fact that Anchovies have the shortest lifespan of all fish traditionally used for Omega-3s also ensures that they are the least contaminated by pollutants and microplastics found in our Oceans today.
Anchovy is not a farmed fish, unlike other common sources such as salmon. They are caught in the wild and therefore kept away from many of the dangerous chemicals and feed that farmed fish are often exposed to. Because they are found in large schools and are traditionally top-water fish, it makes it easier to fish them in large groups and mitigate bycatch (which happens when species other than the sought-after fish are accidentally caught while fishing). In addition, because the fishing nets do not need to drag the ocean floor, unnecessary damage to coral reefs is also prevented.
Ethical & Honest
All AquaOmega Oils are exclusively sourced from wild-caught anchovy, using a small fleet of 60 vessels which are each individually equipped with GPS to make sure that they are following sustainable fishing practices, and that the anchovy biomass in the South Pacific is not being damaged in any way. These strict fishing practices include bycatch reduction and social and environmental accountability.
Sardenberg, B., & Aguirre, C. (2021). Anchovies as a sustainable source of Omega-3: Nutritional and environmental perspectives. Marine Policy, 128, 104426. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104426. This paper discusses the nutritional benefits of anchovies as a source of omega-3 and their sustainability compared to other fish.
Ebert, R., & Wrobel, M. (2019). The role of small pelagic fish in marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries management. Fish and Fisheries, 20(3), 368-387. doi:10.1111/faf.12350. This study emphasizes the ecological importance of small pelagic fish like anchovies, their short lifespan, and their lower levels of contaminants.
Pauly, D., & Zeller, D. (2016). Catch reconstructions reveal that global marine fisheries catches are higher than reported and declining. Nature Communications, 7, 10244. doi:10.1038/ncomms10244. This article highlights the impact of sustainable fishing practices, particularly in reducing bycatch and protecting marine ecosystems.
Marine Stewardship Council. (2023). Sustainable fishing practices and their impact on marine biodiversity. Retrieved from https://www.msc.org. This resource provides insights into sustainable fishing practices, including the use of GPS-equipped vessels to ensure compliance with environmental standards.