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Are There Really Enough Fish in the Sea?

Are There Really Enough Fish in the Sea?

We know it’s recommended to eat 2-3 servings a week of fish or seafood, but what kind? What’s the deal with farmed vs. fresh fish?

Alaskan Dietitian

Here’s what you need to know about farmed vs. fresh fish

Being an Alaskan dietitian born and raised, I will fully disclose I have a bias toward fresh fish because I think it tastes better and I like knowing where my food comes from, however, in this review I will explain the pros and cons for both types of salmon.

Fish is an important part of a healthy diet and salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and micronutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in most fish but are especially high in salmon due to their ability to store oils in their muscles (how else would they survive the freezing cold Alaskan waters?). Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote healthy vision and brain development.

Fresh Alaskan Salmon

Salmon Nutrition info:

Salmon is an excellent source of several B vitamins, which are needed for energy production, controlling inflammation and protecting heart and brain health.

Below is the B vitamin content in 3.5 ounces of wild salmon:

  • Vitamin B1 (thiamin):18% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin):29% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin):50% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid):19% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B6:47% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B9 (folic acid):7% of the RDI
  • Vitamin B12:51% of the RDI

Salmon is also high in protein, heart-healthy fats, potassium, selenium, and antioxidants making it an anti-inflammatory food.

So Here’s a Brief Breakdown of Farmed vs. Fresh Salmon:

Farmed Salmon Facts:

Pros: Farmed fishing may be beneficial because it can take the pressure off over-fished areas and allow depleted wild fish populations to build their population. Depending on feeds some farmed fish have more omegas and micronutrients. It also is less expensive and often more easily available at the grocery store.

Cons: Farmed fish are brought up in tanks, net pens, or other enclosures and they are often fed plants, grain, and fishmeal. Antibiotics, chemicals, and added growth hormone may be used to allow to enhance production. Due to high demands, some of the consequences include waste products/feces, uneaten fish food, pesticides, veterinary drugs, and dead fish contaminate surrounding water which can affect the entire aquatic ecosystem. Contaminants have been reported including the proliferation of bacterial, viral and fungal diseases, as well as sea lice that spread from farmed to fresh fish. With the continued advancement of technology and management practices hopefully, will continue to improve eco-friendliness. With growing need, I expect to see more farmed-fish labels. Also, fish in the wild eat a natural diet and tend to be slightly lower in saturated fat than farm-raised varieties

Try salmon on a cedar plank!

 

Wild Salmon Facts:

Pros: If you’re doing your own fishing, it’s reassuring to know how the fish was caught and processed. I have been very spoiled with my dad deboning and filleting most of my fresh fish in Alaska since I was young. I have never had to worry about bones or poor processing like you would with store-bought fish. You just can’t beat the taste of salmon being thrown on the grill, 30 minutes after catching it. The taste and appearance is so much more appealing. Buying wild-caught supports many Alaskans, local businesses and fishermen’s livelihoods. Wild salmon also often contains more minerals and has less risk for contamination.

Cons: Wild salmon is more expensive than farmed and may not be worth the extra cost for some people. Depending on a few things, it may be inconvenient (or impossible) for the consumer to access wild salmon. Other issues include overfished waters, higher carbon footprint, and low sustainability.

Healthy Salmon Dinner

Farmed vs. Fresh Conclusion:

Living in the “Lower 48” where my clients don’t always have the option to buy fresh fish, I still encourage them to eat more whether it’s wild or farmed. I educate them to ask where fish is sourced and if it’s farmed sustainably. It’s important to purchase from responsible “certified sustainable” purveyors. Many overseas sources do not have the same regulations for food safety.

For reliable information, I use the Seafood Watch program as a resource. You can search their website by type of fish and get recommendations for the best choices and alternatives. They keep up with the constant changes. There’s also an app making it easy to shop for seafood at the grocery store.

Easy ways to increase your fish intake:

1.) Try to eat 2-3 servings of fish per week and try new types of seafood. Shrimp scallops, clams all count!

2.) Prepare seafood with different cooking methods including baking, grilling, broiling. My go to recipe is putting fish in a foil packet and grilling it with seasonings, lemon and onion.

3.) Don’t overlook frozen and canned. Look for canned in water with little to no added salt. 

4.) Order fish when you’re eating out. It’s a great way to see how others prepare it.

5.) Fish is great on salads, in tacos, casseroles, dips, kabobs, etc. Get creative!

Need some salmon recipes?

Check out my easy salmon salad or my avocado salsa salmon recipes!

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