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Regulated Fishing
The crude fish oil for EPAX Omega-3 concetrates comes through our alliance with Austral Group SAA, Peru. Based in Peru, a country with stringent compliance regulations and fishing guidelines, Austral Group SAA respects these guidelines and monitors and enforces strict sustainability practices in their fishing operations. Based on 20 years of historical data, Austral Group SAA limits their catch to two times a year and suspends fishing during spawning seasons to prevent overfishing. Austral Group SAA is dedicated to preserving the health of the oceans and has provided other companies in the industry with a good example of global accountability. Through our fully integrated supply chain with Austral Group SAA, EPAX AS can claim that the raw material for our products is derived from a sustainable source.
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The crude fish oil for our EPAX concentrates is based on anchovy and it comes from our partner, Austral Group SAA. Austral Group SAA has been certified by Friend of the Sea (FOS) for compliance with fishing methods and sustainability requirements and is currently the only FOS-certified company in South America. Since our supply chain is fully integrated from sea to finished Omega-3 ingredient, and since we receive raw materials from our FOS-certified partner, EPAX AS can claim FOS certification on crude oil raw materials. In addition, EPAX AS has been independently certified by FOS to have a sustainable operation — from fish harvesting in Peru to finished Omega-3 products in Norway. EPAX AS can therefore offer products that are 100% FOS Certified.
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Bycatch Precautions
Our corporation has taken giant strides in managing bycatch. Bycatch occurs when indiscriminate fishing operations capture animals that were not the target species. Species that swim with fished species are often at risk of entanglement. Austral Group SAA guards against bycatch by using purse seiner fishery nets. The weave of these nets have been designed to target a specific anchovy school.
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Pollution Prevention
Much marine pollution comes from land-based sources. Austral Group SAA shore-based facilities lead the industry in clean product processing and energy conservation. Their manufacturing facilities have implemented cleaning systems and production processes that minimize pollution and help reduce energy expenditures and water consumption.
