Wild. This single word has always guided my seafood choices. The image of fish thriving in their natural habitat, with fishermen casting nets to bring in the fresh catch of the day, is idyllic. However, the reality is that this way of life is becoming unsustainable due to environmental impacts, overfishing, and increasing consumer demand. While wild salmon does offer nutritional benefits, I have come to appreciate the place for farmed salmon after my recent trip to Norway.
Exploring Norway’s Pristine Waterways
Traveling through Norway felt like being inside a postcard. Magnificent rock formations, waterfalls, and quaint waterside villages surrounded us. We had the opportunity to sail through the pristine waterways aboard a small ship, navigating narrow passages carved by glaciers. One day, we stumbled upon what looked like giant, roped-off swimming areas. Instead of children, there were teems of fish swimming in the icy waters of the Norway fjord. It was fish farming in action.
Types of Salmon: Pacific vs. Atlantic
There are two main types of salmon: Pacific and Atlantic. Pacific salmon, including varieties like coho, sockeye, and king, are wild-caught in the North Pacific, particularly in the Alaskan salmon fisheries. In contrast, Atlantic salmon, which is farmed in the United States (US) and Norway, faces the brunt of overfishing and environmental impacts. Wild Atlantic salmon is now listed as an endangered species in the US, leading to a complete ban on commercial and recreational fishing. Consequently, all Atlantic salmon available in US markets is farmed.
Fishing as a Way of Life
Fishing has always been an integral part of Norwegian culture and livelihood. However, similar to the US, Norway has faced challenges with the declining numbers of wild Atlantic salmon due to increasing demand and environmental pressures. In 2021, Norway’s wild Atlantic salmon was listed as “Near Threatened” on the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre’s red list. This prompted Norway to turn to fish farming as a sustainable solution for managing the demand for seafood, including salmon, cod, and trout.
Meeting the Global Seafood Demand
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization recognizes that fish farming, or aquaculture, is crucial in meeting the world’s growing demand for seafood. Aquatic food production is projected to increase by 15% by 2030. The UN’s Blue Transformation initiative aims to expand aquatic food systems to ensure food security for the growing population.
The Fish Farming Process
Like wild salmon, farm-raised salmon start their lives in freshwater. As they grow and undergo the natural maturation process called smoltification, they are then transferred to gated communities deep in the sea. Their diet consists of fish food pellets made from a mix of vegetable protein, carbohydrates, oils, and fish meal. This leads to a nutritional profile that differs from wild salmon.
Fatty Acid Composition, Pollutants, and Heavy Metals
The most significant difference between wild and farm-raised salmon lies in the amount and type of fat. Farm-raised salmon contains three times the total fat compared to its wild counterpart. The sedentary lifestyle and concentrated feed in fish farms contribute to higher fat stores.
The types of fatty acids also differ. Farm-raised salmon has a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids due to its feed containing more vegetable oils rather than marine oils. This impacts the flavor and texture of the fish, resulting in a milder taste and a tenderer texture preferred by some consumers. However, both wild and farm-raised salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Recent studies show that farmed Norwegian salmon has low levels of contaminants compared to wild salmon, with lower levels of pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals like mercury.
Health Benefits and Recommended Consumption
Leading health organizations, such as Pritikin and the American Heart Association, recommend consuming at least two fatty fish dishes per week to ensure an adequate intake of heart-healthy fats. Observational studies consistently show that higher fish consumption and higher levels of omega-3s in the diet and blood plasma are associated with a reduced risk of heart failure, coronary disease, and fatal coronary heart disease.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s wild salmon from the Pacific Northwest or farmed salmon from Norway, consuming at least two fatty fish dishes per week provides a high-quality protein source with beneficial fats for our heart health. As I visit the seafood department at my local grocery store, I’m comforted by the knowledge that Norway is taking responsible stewardship over their farm-raised fish. Choosing Norwegian farm-raised salmon means investing in a sustainable protein source that protects our natural resources.