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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide
Salmon
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Salmon
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Coho, Chum, Keta, King, Pink, Red, Silver, Sockeye, Sake
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Alaska
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Wild-caught
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Salmon
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Coho, Silver Salmon
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U.S.
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Farmed in Tank Systems
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Salmon
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Coho, Chum, Keta, King, Pink, Red, Silver, Sockeye, Sake
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Washington, Oregon (north of Cape Falcon)
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Wild-caught
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Salmon
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Farmed Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Sake
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Worldwide
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Farmed
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Salmon
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Coho, Chum, Keta, King, Pink, Red, Silver, Sockeye, Sake
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California, Oregon (south of Cape Falcon)
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Wild-caught
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Salmon Roe
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Ikura
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Alaska
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Wild-caught
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Salmon, Farmed including Atlantic
There are many environmental problems related to farming salmon, which means most are ranked “Avoid.” However, efforts to reduce some of these environmental impacts by raising fish in inland tanks have been successful. Salmon from these farms are a "Best Choice."
Consumer Note
The majority of salmon farmed today are Atlantic salmon. A small quantity of Pacific salmon - Chinook and coho - is also farmed. It’s important to ask whether the salmon you’re buying is wild or farmed. Salmon is known as sake when prepared for sushi.
Health Alert
Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory for farmed salmon due to high levels of PCBs.
Summary
One of the biggest concerns is the amount of food required to raise farmed salmon. It generally takes three pounds of wild fish to grow one pound of farmed salmon. The environmental impact of salmon farming is still increasing as global production continues to rise.
Most salmon are farmed in open pens and cages in coastal waters. Waste from these farms is released directly into the ocean. Parasites and diseases from farmed salmon can spread to wild fish swimming near the farms and escaping farmed salmon can harm wild populations. As a result, all salmon farmed in ocean net pens get an “Avoid” ranking.
However, some salmon farmers are making changes to improve their practices. So far, one change has proven successful—raising U.S. freshwater coho using inland tank-based, closed systems. Closed systems reduce environmental risks by containing pollution, disease, parasites and reducing fish escapes and result in a “Best Choice” ranking.
Look for wild-caught salmon or clearly labeled U.S. farmed freshwater coho salmon. For now, “Avoid” all other farmed salmon.
Recipe Alternatives
Seafood Watch recommends wild-caught salmon from Alaska or Washington are both ocean-friendly choices. “Avoid” wild-caught salmon from California and Oregon, as well as salmon farmed in open net pens. Salmon farmed on land in “closed” or “contained” farms is a viable alternative that points the way to a more environmentally-friendly future for salmon farming.
Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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