US retailer’s move away from farmed salmon won’t benefit consumers or the planet

US retailer’s move away from farmed salmon won’t benefit consumers or the planet

As recent news stories indicate, a US retailer is moving away from selling farmed salmon. Unfortunately, this wrong-headed decision will not result in healthier product choices for consumers, who have a right to know that Canada’s proud salmon farming industry abides by some of the strictest environmental and food safety standards in the world.

Our farmed salmon is rich in vitamins and minerals, low in saturated fats, and one of the best sources of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association and Health Canada both advise eating two servings of fish every week – either wild or farmed – and a Harvard study revealed that even modest consumption of farmed salmon could reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease by 36 percent.

When it comes to the health of our oceans, the retailer’s decision will not have a positive environmental impact. According to the United Nations, global demand for seafood is forecast to grow 50 percent by 2030, and aquaculture production must double to keep pace with that demand. Grown in pristine waters and available fresh year-round, our farmed salmon is an affordable, high quality protein that takes pressure off over-fished wild stocks.

The facts are clear: farmed salmon makes sense for your health, pocket-book, and our planet.

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

Ruth Salmon, Executive Director

Bus Phone: 250-951-9866

Cell Phone: 250-701-1431

email: ruth.salmon@aquaculture.ca