About Our “Friend of the Sea” Certification

As you probably know, Artic Flex was formulated by a group of orthopedic surgeons in an effort to support the bone and joint health of patients on a regenerative level.  After digging through the research and carrying out multiple trials on which ingredients would result in the best bone and joint supplement, they found that krill oil had more promising benefits than the typical fish oil.

While supporting the health of joints has been our main focus, sourcing ingredients sustainably hasn’t taken a back seat.

We’re very proud to hold the third-party “Friend of the Sea” certification.  To learn more about this great organization, what they’re doing to preserve our oceans and their wildlife, and other kinds of products, activities, and places you can keep an eye out for their label…keep reading!

 

About Friend of the Sea

Friend of the Sea is a nonprofit organization that strives to conserve ocean habitats around the world. It accomplishes this mission by promoting sustainable fishing and aquaculture, and undertaking projects to protect the marine ecosystem, particularly endangered species. Friend of the Sea is a major contributor to the Sustainable Seafood Movement. 

Through this incentive, consumers and businesses can work together to preserve and protect ocean life and cultivate respect for the wondrous creatures that call the sea “home.”

You can support marine conservation by choosing products and services with the Friend of the Sea certification. This includes sustainable seafood, whale-and-dolphin-watching, shipping, cruises, sunscreens, aquariums, and ornamental aquatic species. Your support will benefit aquatic species and the people who work with them.

 

Sustainable Fishing

Countless communities depend on fishing. Unsustainable fishing threatens the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of future generations. Friend of the Sea outlines standards for sustainable fishing, including non-exploitative practices, seabed awareness, use of approved fishing equipment, by-catch limitations, legal compliance, waste and energy management, and social accountability.

 

Sustainable Aquaculture

Aquaculture accounts for more than half of the fish that humans consume. Friend of the Sea is taking proactive measures to preserve the integrity of aquaculture and access to sustainably farmed fish for decades to come. Certification requires compliance with water quality standards, minimizing escapes, avoiding the use of growth hormones and anti-fouling, habitat-friendly practices, carbon footprint reduction, and social accountability.

 

Sustainable Omega-3 Supplements and UV Creams

Numerous studies support the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and UV-blocking sunscreens. Friend of the Sea supports omega-3 producers that source their fish oil from sustainable fishing. Certified products are traceable, GMO-free, and sourced from approved ingredients. Consumers have confidence knowing that these companies are socially accountable for sustainable sourcing and production.

(This is the category Artic Flex falls under!)

Sustainable Restaurants

Friend of the Sea helps consumers find restaurants that serve sustainable seafood. Environmentally-conscious diners enjoy seafood sourced from certified sustainable fishing and farming, and restaurants earn rewards for meeting the Friend of the Sea certification requirements, including:

• Over 90% of seafood offerings sourced from certified suppliers, with over 60% from Friend of the Sea or Global Cap certified suppliers
• Clear and transparent disclosure of the origin of seafood offerings
• Traceable sourcing
• Social accountability

 

Sustainable Dolphin and Whale Watching

The marine life watching industry is an economic boon for communities across the globe. Friend of the Sea strives to balance the growth of dolphin and whale watching with the safety and integrity of the species involved. Certified whale watching organizations abide by the following best practices:

• Staying within the vessel limit per watching zone
• Keeping a safe distance
• Providing approved training for operators and crew
• Collecting scientific data
• Refraining from swimming with the species
• Avoiding one-time-use plastics

 

Sustainable Shipping and Cruise Lines

Sea transport contributes significantly to global CO2 pollution. Friend of the Sea strives to mitigate CO2 emissions via sustainable practices. Certified sustainable shipping companies and cruise lines use fuel-efficient transport, waste control, and anti-fouling coating to minimize the impact on marine ecosystems. They also comply with all laws and ordinances and social accountability standards.

 

Sustainable Aquariums

Aquariums raise awareness of the beauty and environmental importance of aquatic life. However, these benefits must not come at the cost of animal welfare. Certified sustainable aquariums must abide by the following standards:

• Compliance with Environmental Policy principles
• No housing or showcasing of reptiles, birds, or mammals
• Animal welfare training for all staff
• Scientific information provided at each station
• Waste and energy management
• Social accountability

 

Sustainable Beaches

Beaches are one of nature’s greatest gifts. Friend of the Sea works to ensure that they are not taken for granted. Certified sustainable beaches implement several practices to protect the environment and marine life. They must monitor water quality, promote environmental awareness, ensure proper waste disposal, and prohibit the use of disposable plastics.

These steps help ensure safe and beautiful beaches for current and future generations.

 

Sustainable Salt

Much of the Earth’s salt comes from salt mining. Miners dig a well, leading to an underground salt deposit, pump water to break down the salt crystals, and finally raise the brine up to the surface for processing via vacuum-pan refining. Another process called solar evaporation involves pumping saltwater into ponds that eventually evaporate on their own, leaving the salt behind. 

Sustainable salt certification requires compliance with various laws and environmental preservation standards. Sustainable salt businesses must avoid harming plant and animal species, manage resources and use of hazardous materials, and be socially accountable for their actions.