Pressure on the Antarctic krill industry is intensifying, as UK-based supplement company Time Health becomes the first producer to sign the Antarctic Krill Pledge – committing to phase out all krill-derived products from its range in the coming months.
The pledge – authored by Holland & Barrett in collaboration with Sea Shepherd Global – calls on companies across the supply chain to eliminate krill-based products and commit to not reintroducing them in the future. It highlights the ecological importance of krill, stating that “krill are the foundation of Antarctic life” while “as retailers, we recognise our sourcing decisions shape ecosystems far beyond our shelves.”
In collaboration with Sea Shepherd, those that sign the pledge commit to protecting Antarctic ecosystems by reducing pressure on krill, a species essential to whales, penguins, seals, and the wider marine food web.
Time Health’s decision marks a significant shift beyond retail, extending responsibility into the manufacturing sector. The company has also committed to a transparent divestment timeline, aligning with the pledge’s broader call for accountability across the nutraceutical industry.
Responding to the announcement, Peter Hammarstedt, Chief Campaigns Officer for Sea Shepherd Global, said: “Sea Shepherd applauds Time Health for becoming the first supplement manufacturer to sign the Antarctic Krill Pledge, joining retailer Holland & Barrett in committing to end the production and sale of krill-based products. Protecting Antarctica demands decisive leadership across the entire nutraceutical industry – from retailers to suppliers – and Time Health’s example sets a clear standard for other producers to follow.”
The announcement comes as Sea Shepherd’s vessel, the Allankay, concludes a six-week expedition in Antarctic waters. During the mission, crews documented what the organisation describes as an escalating conflict between whales and industrial supertrawlers competing for krill – one of the Southern Ocean’s most critical species.
Krill underpin the Antarctic food web, converting phytoplankton into energy that sustains whales, penguins, seals, and countless other species. However, mounting scientific evidence suggests that krill densities around the Antarctic Peninsula – where fishing is most concentrated – may have declined by as much as 80% since the 1970s.
