Australian company denies contribution to global krill shortage

An Australian health supplements manufacturer has rejected claims its products are contributing to a krill shortage in Antarctic waters.

Krill stocks have reduced by some 80 percent since the 1970s from impacts associated with climate change and ocean acidification.

Global conservation group Sea Shepherd's Australian arm launched a campaign on Thursday against Australian nutritional supplement giant Blackmores, claiming their factory ships are vacuuming the ocean of krill.

"We must stop the devastation being wrought at the bottom of the food chain or face severe consequences, including a dramatic collapse in fish populations, penguin numbers and dire impacts on whales," Sea Shepherd director Jeff Hansan told local media.

Blackmores is one of Australia's largest health product producers with approximately 20 percent market share.

Blackmores chief executive Christine Holgate dismissed Sea Shepherd's claims, saying the data used to underpin their argument is different to the data supplied by Australian authorities.

Holgate said the company only uses krill sourced via sustainable methods certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

"Not only do we rely on their methods and monitoring, we also have sent our own sourcing manager to observe the catch and ensure we are comfortable that it is fished within the (official) quota and guidelines," Holgate said. Endi