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Salmon
(Drift Gillnet, Purse Seine and Troll from California, Oregon and Washington)
Rating:
Fishery management is especially important for salmon, which require freshwater and ocean habitats to survive. Wild salmon populations in Washington, Oregon and California are moderately healthy. When caught with drift gillnet, purse seine or troll, these fish are a "Good Alternative." The "Best Choice" in wild salmon is from Alaska.
Market Names:
Chinook, Coho, Chum, Keta, King, Pink, Red, Silver, Sockeye, Sake
Consumer Notes:
Buyer beware! Different species of salmon are sold under many market names - and several are available from farmed and wild sources. Be sure to use our recommendations to find the "Best Choices." Salmon is known as sake when prepared for sushi.
Health Alert:
Environmental Defense Fund has issued a consumption advisory for salmon caught off the Washington coast due to elevated levels of PCBs.
Summary:
Salmon populations in California, Oregon and Washington have declined dramatically as a result of habitat loss, climatic shifts, historic overfishing and other factors. Salmon are born in freshwater then migrate to the ocean where they grow and mature before being caught. When freshwater rivers and streams are damaged or destroyed through dam construction, water diversions, deforestation and urban development, salmon populations are impacted.
In California, Oregon and Washington nearly 30 populations of salmon and steelhead are on the Endangered Species List. These endangered fish are unintentionally caught by fishermen who are targeting other salmon populations.
Salmon from the Columbia River make up most of the catch in northern Oregon and Washington. These fisheries have generally met management goals in recent years and the stock is moderately healthy. Salmon from the Sacramento River make up most of the catch in southern Oregon and California. These stocks have declined in recent years, but the population increased and met management goals in 2010.
Therefore, salmon caught in California, Oregon and Washington with drift gillnet, purse seine or troll gear are considered a "Good Alternative."
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