What is Calanus finmarchicus?

Calanus finmarchicus is one of the most ecologically important species in the marine ecosystem due to its role in the marine food web or energy chain.

10% of the total biomass of zooplankton is transferred further up the food chain as the diet (prey) for fish larvae, juveniles and other small creatures of the ocean. Every summer, approximately 10% of the production of zooplankton descends into the deeper realms of the Norwegian Sea and goes into hibernation. The next year they ascend for reproduction and complete the lifecycle. The rest of the zooplankton biomass dies and remineralize into inorganic forms.

The Norwegian government has identified the Calanus finmarchicus as a resource with significant potential to contribute to the national economy, 

the management plan for utilizing this resource was set on a yearly quota of 254 000 tonnes.

To put some perspective to the numbers and the size of the circles, the total sum of the global fisheries and aquaculture is approx. half of the yearly biomass of calanus. 

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Million tons

Yearly reproduction of biomass
Calanus finmarchicus

Trophic Levels

The policy of Zooca is to carry out the harvesting activity with precaution and within limits set by the national Competent Authorities.