Calanus AS shall harvest Calanus finmarchicus and in collaboration with business-partners develop, manufacture and market value-added health- and nutrition products based on this marine zooplankton species.

On a foundation of scientific documentation and technological know-how, Calanus AS shall spearhead industrial development based on ecologically sustainable harvesting of Calanus spp. and be in the forefront of the development of commercially useful health- and nutrition products that can be derived thereof.

Calanus AS adheres to the highest environmental standards in all aspects of its operations, and practices harvesting in a sustainable manner in order to minimize the effect upon the marine environment. (Link>>)

Background – the resource

The marine zooplankton species Calanus finmarchicus is a free-living copepod (crustacean) with a one-year life-cycle. Calanus finmarchicus is the key food source for most of the commercially important fish species in the North Atlantic. However, in the North Atlantic ecosystem only 10-20% of the energy from the vast biomass of Calanus finmarchicus is being incorporated in fish and mammals higher up in the food chain.

The annual biomass-production of Calanus finmarchicus and closely related species in the Norwegian Sea and adjacent oceans is in the range of 200-400 million tons. Today there is no commercial harvest of this huge biological resource, and even with a very efficient technology, it is hard to envision that harvesting ever can be practiced in such a scale that it would affect the natural food chain. It should also be noted that harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus from an area could result in “compensation growth”, due to better feeding conditions and availability of phytoplankton for the remaining stock of copepods.

As Calanus finmarchicus lives scattered in the oceanic waters at the bottom of the marine food chain, only grazing on microscopic algae and protozooplankton, it is virtually free of pollutants. This fact, taken together with its abundance and biochemical composition, makes this species extraordinarily attractive compared to both pelagic fishes and krill as a source of value-added products for humans.

Calanus AS is working together with research institutes and the authorities to ensure development of sustainable harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus, within safe limits set by the environment.

Organization and key-personnel

Calanus AS is currently basing its activity on a small core organization of own employees.  Harvesting is being done by contracted vessels, using the company’s technology, and Calanus AS will establish long-term contracts with owners of suitable fishing vessels for its harvesting operation. At present, also manufacturing of products is being outsourced to reliable contract manufacturers with proven track records and appropriate quality assurance systems.

The Company has built a strong network with academic institutions, notably the University of Tromsø, Norway and the University Hospital North Norway HF (UNN), to conduct biomedical research projects and clinical studies necessary for product approval and marketing.

Based on the results achieved, including very exiting biomedical and clinical data on Calanus® Oil, the Company will strengthen its organization going forward.

Calanus AS is headed by Mr. Gunnar Rørstad (gunnar.rorstad@calanus.no), co-founder and former CEO of Biotec Pharmacon ASA, a public biopharmaceutical company.

Calanus AS was established after an initiative by Professor Kurt Tande (ktande@calanus.no), a leading expert in zooplankton biology. Dr. Tande is serving as R&D Manager for Calanus AS.

Manufacturing and process development is managed by Mr. Snorre Angell (sangell@calanus.no), a Fishery Technologist (M. Sc.) formerly employed at SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Harvesting operations are managed by Mr. Trond Larsen (trond.larsen@calanus.no), a Fishery Technologist (M. Sc.) from the Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø.

Professor emeritus Jan Raa (info@calanus.no), co-founder and former CSO of Biotec Pharmacon, is serving as a scientific adviser of Calanus AS.

Researcher Ms. Alice Marie Pedersen (alice.pedersen@calanus.no) has a key role in the further development of documentation on the properties of Calanus Oil.

Product Manager Mr. Hogne Abrahamsen (hogne.abrahamsen@calanus.no)  has a key role in the introduction of Calanus’ products to customers in Norway and internationally.  

Quality Assurance Manager Ms. Åse Kristine R. Mikalsen (ase.kristine@calanus.no) is responsible for the Company's continuing efforts to meet the quality standards required by our customers.