Farm-Raised Salmon: A Sustainable Choice for Seafood Lovers
Love salmon but worried about making the right choice for your health and the planet? You’re not alone.
Every time you stand at the seafood counter, you might wonder: Should I choose wild or farm-raised salmon? Is farm-raised salmon sustainable and healthy?
These are thoughtful questions to ask. After all, you want to feel good about the food you eat and serve your family.
Here’s some good news: farm-raised salmon isn’t just making healthy seafood more accessible – it’s helping protect our oceans, too. And the best part? It’s available year-round to incorporate this nutritional powerhouse into your regular diet.
Ready to discover why farm-raised salmon might be the sustainable choice you’ve been looking for? Let’s explore the benefits of farm-raised salmon and what makes it a smart choice for your family and our planet.
Why We Need Sustainable Seafood Solutions
Did you know that we eat a whopping 123 million tonnes of poultry globally but only 3.2 million tonnes of salmon—both wild and farmed combined? That’s about to change. More people are discovering salmon’s health benefits, and demand is expected to double by 2050.
Here’s the challenge: wild salmon populations are struggling. Wild Atlantic salmon numbers dropped by more than half in just 33 years – from 1983 to 2016. Climate change isn’t helping either, making it harder for wild salmon to thrive.
This is where farm-raised salmon steps in. Already providing over 70% of the world’s salmon, it’s helping meet our growing appetite for this superfood while giving wild salmon populations a chance to recover.
Farm-raised salmon is part of the solution. It’s like having a vegetable garden instead of relying only on wild-grown produce. It’s a way to enjoy the salmon you love while being mindful of our oceans’ future.
What About the Environmental Footprint?
If you’re trying to make climate-smart food choices, here’s something that might surprise you: sustainable farmed salmon is one of today’s most eco-friendly seafood options, with a remarkably small environmental footprint.
A study looking at the lifecycle impact of farm-raised salmon in British Columbia, Canada, found it to have a quarter of the environmental impact of chicken. Beef’s environmental impact was the highest by far, at 500% more than farmed salmon.
But it’s not just about carbon footprint. Farm-raised salmon is a champion at using resources efficiently. Salmon uses the least amount of land and water among all farmed fish. Think about it: while land-based farming needs acres of fields and massive amounts of water, salmon farms work with nature in ocean environments.
Today’s salmon farmers are like ocean gardeners. They work with advanced monitoring systems and follow strict environmental standards to protect the waters where they raise their fish. It’s about producing the salmon you love while keeping our oceans healthy for future generations.
Packed with Nutrients Your Body Loves
The next question environmentally and health-conscious people often ask: “Is farm-raised salmon good for you?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Salmon is rich in protein and packed with nutrients. Here’s why health experts call salmon a superfood.
Your Brain’s Best Friend
Remember when your mom told you fish was brain food? She was right! Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that support brain health. Research shows that when pregnant women eat more seafood, their babies can score up to 7.7 points higher on IQ tests. Pretty impressive, right?
Heart-Healthy Superhero
Want to keep your heart happy? Eating salmon twice a week helps maintain a healthy heart and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s like depositing heart-healthy nutrients on a regular basis.
Safe for the Whole Family
Worried about mercury? Don’t be. Farm-raised salmon contains just 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram – well below FDA safety levels. That’s why the FDA lists salmon as a “best choice” seafood for everyone, including:
- Pregnant women
- Nursing moms
- Young children
The Nutrition Breakdown
Farm-raised salmon gives you great nutrients, including:
- High-quality protein
- Essential omega-3 fatty acids
- Potassium
- Vitamin D
- B-12
- B-5
From Norway’s Fjords to Canada’s Pristine Coastline
Have you ever wondered where your farm-raised salmon comes from? Think of the world’s most pristine waters – that’s where you’ll find today’s salmon farms.
From Norway’s deep fjords to Scotland’s rugged coastlines, salmon farmers choose locations known for their clean, cold waters. These prime spots aren’t just beautiful and perfect for raising healthy, delicious salmon.
“But what about that pink color?” Whether wild or farmed, salmon get their color from what they eat. In the wild, it’s from eating krill. On farms, salmon get the same natural color-giving nutrient (called astaxanthin) in their feed. It’s not just for looks – this antioxidant is so good for you that people take it as a supplement!
Quality Control at Every Step
Today’s salmon farms are high-tech operations with:
- Advanced monitoring systems
- Regular health checks
- Strict feeding schedules
- Complete traceability from farm to store
The result? Consistently fresh, high-quality salmon you can count on all year round.
Feed Matters
Just like you care about what’s on your plate, farmers care about what their salmon eat. Farm-raised salmon enjoy a carefully crafted diet that:
- Mimics their natural food choices
- Is free from antibiotics and GMOs
- Provides all the nutrients they need to thrive
Making Smart Choices at the Store
Want to try some of the world’s finest farm-raised salmon? Look for MOWI at your local store. As a global leader providing one-fifth of the world’s farm-raised Atlantic salmon, MOWI has earned its reputation for excellence in sustainable seafood production.
Why Choose MOWI?
- Supreme quality from sea to fork
- Meets the highest sustainability standards
- Constant innovation in responsible farming
- Complete traceability of your salmon’s journey
Look for the Certifications
MOWI goes above and beyond to ensure their salmon meets the strictest sustainability standards:
- ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certified – your guarantee of responsibly farmed seafood
- BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) rated three stars – confirming MOWI’s commitment to quality and sustainability
Your Sustainable Choice Makes a Difference
Whenever you choose sustainable farmed salmon, you do something good for yourself and our planet. You’re getting:
- A delicious, nutritious meal your family will love
- A climate-friendly protein choice
- A way to help protect wild salmon populations
The future of seafood depends on smart choices today. Ready to give it a try? Pick up some farm-raised salmon today and taste the difference sustainable seafood can make. Your taste buds – and our oceans – will thank you.
References
https://www.msc.org/what-you-can-do/eat-sustainable-seafood/foodies-guides/sustainable-salmon
https://www.munchery.com/blog/what-are-the-best-sources-of-sustainable-farmed-salmon/
https://mowi.com/news/blue-food-assessment-shows-benefits-of-salmon-farming/
https://nasco.int/atlantic-salmon/state-of-salmon
https://www.statista.com/topics/7411/salmon-industry/
https://www.aquaculturenorthamerica.com/farm-raised-salmon-is-greener-than-chicken-beef/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/salmon-nutrition-and-health-benefits
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/astaxanthin
