Ethics on Your Plate: Salmon

Wild salmon vs. farm-raised salmon. It's a debate that goes back decades, and many scientists and foodies would argue that there is no clear winner ¹. 

Although farmed salmon has gradually improved, it's also the first genetically modified organism made for human consumption ². (And if you're wondering what that means besides bigger size and faster development, according to an article on NPR, "genetically modified salmon eat more food, spend more time near the surface of the water, and don't tend to associate in groups. They develop at a dramatically faster rate, and their immune function is reduced.") Farmed salmon is also pumped full of dyes to make it look more pink, and is often sold as 'wild' salmon by unscrupulous vendors. 

Wild caught salmon from the Atlantic is now an impossibility - we've overfished to the point of nearly extinguishing wild stocks, and the Pacific salmon industry is also struggling. In Alaska, however, the wild salmon fishing industry is thriving. But at what environmental cost? And how much energy does it take to farm salmon? 

The ethical questions involved in choosing what you put on your plate can be overwhelming. Salmon is just the tip of the ethical food iceberg, and the wild vs. farmed, Alaskan vs. Pacific vs. Atlantic debate is a prominent issue that most environmentally and health conscious consumers are aware of. The following infographic pulls together some of the information we found most moving where salmon is concerned. Share it with your friends, family, neighbors, relatives, and all those people on your social profiles that you met once at a party or two. If we look at what we eat as a moral and nutritional exercise, sharing the information that allows others to make an informed choice isn't just nice. It's necessary. 

And if you're wondering where we stand on the issue, check out the  Wise Choice Market seafood section - we're firm believers in wild-caught salmon from Alaskan waters. Sustainable, nutritious, and delicious, to us it's an obvious choice. 

Additional reference: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/06/24/413755699/genetically-modified-salmon-coming-to-a-river-near-you

References:

1. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/salmon-wild-caught-or-farmed-the-diners-dilemma/

2. http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/06/24/413755699/genetically-modified-salmon-coming-to-a-river-near-you

 Our wild vs. farmed salmon infographic was created using Canva. Information provided in this communication is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. This is general information for educational purposes only. The information provided is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Wise Choice Marketing Inc is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through Wise Choice Marketing Inc.