Wild salmon sustainability practices -
When it comes to our health and the health of our oceans, we believe nature does know best, and we strive to participate in the natural process in a responsible, sustainable way. Read on for more. The idea of harvesting fish raised in a farmed environment sounds inherently less destructive to the ecosystem than harvesting fish from the wild.
But as the evidence suggests, the reality is that neither salmon farms nor wild fisheries exist in a vacuum. Here are a few key reasons why wild salmon from responsibly-managed fisheries is the only choice when it comes to sustainability.
Wild salmon fisheries can help ecosystems recover from overfishing. Farmed salmon operations typically rely upon fish feed that has been sourced unsustainably.
Wild salmon are harvested as part of a sustainable, supply-driven food system that is resilient and responsive to natural fluctuations in populations from season to season. Farmed salmon are cultivated to meet the unsustainable requirements of a demand-driven food system.
Wild salmon have a life cycle that is part of the natural cycles within its ecosystem. Farmed salmon operations have a life cycle that produces high concentrations of pollution and waste toxic to surrounding ecosystems.
Wild salmon fisheries that are well managed are designed around rigorous, science-based data to ensure that harvest practices are sustainable. Farmed salmon systems cannot be sustainable at this time, even when technological advances are adopted by the industry.
Farmed Atlantic salmon are fed engineered feed made from corn and soy. But this unnatural, plant-based feed must be supplemented with wild fish derivatives for farmed salmon to mimic the unique natural color of salmon.
Harvesting wild forage fish for fish meal creates competition between farmed and wild salmon for finite resources, putting undue pressure on wild species to survive. In other words, salmon farm operations are inextricably tied to wild fish, in ways that can accelerate the overfishing of our oceans.
In contrast, responsible wild fisheries — like those in Alaska — are designed to prevent overfishing, as well as support and even improve the greater stability of the marine ecosystems by adhering to strict gear and seasonal restrictions that are designed to protect the integrity of habitats and limit bycatch.
These well-managed fisheries ensure that no more fish are harvested from the ecosystem than it can sustain over generations. From a generational standpoint, recent research has found that intensive management of wild fisheries can actually help overfished populations recover and allow healthy populations to sustain themselves indefinitely, while still providing us with bountiful harvests each year.
Today, the salmon aquaculture industry is the fastest growing system of food production , expanding to meet the demands of the consumer market. As it grows, the pressure on wild forage fish stocks will also increase.
The problem is that wild forage fish are a finite resource. To get around this limitation, some operations are moving toward vegetarian fish feeds formulated with plant-based alternatives to fish oil. Taken at face value, these feeds sound like a sustainable alternative to conventional feed.
But vegetarian feed is fraught with its own environmental impact. The soy and corn used in vegetarian fish feed, for instance, may be sourced from industrial farms that pollute or deplete vital resources like water and land.
One recent report cited serious controversies over the production of soy for fish and animal feeds. The increased global demand for soy has, in some cases, led directly to increased deforestation and loss of biodiversity as ecologically critical forests like the Amazon are cleared to make way for cropland.
Market demands have long since transformed landscapes, and continue to threaten our remaining natural resources. The same report noted that nearly all of the environmental impact associated with aquaculture systems that rely upon fish feed can be traced back to the fish feed itself.
Relieving pressure on marine resources has simply shifted pressure to terrestrial ones, as demand for resources continues to outpace a sustainable supply.
Until the aquaculture industry can resolve this fish feed problem, it has a significant sustainability problem. In contrast, well-managed wild fisheries support a sustainable supply-driven food system , only offering to consumers what nature can sustain from season to season.
After all, healthy wild fisheries may be abundant, but their resources are still finite. A supply-driven food system is more aligned with the natural fluctuations of abundance in the wild and is resilient to booms as well as drops in fish populations.
Harvest quotas are set and reset every year in response to the latest data that allows a natural resource to sustain itself indefinitely.
Following these guidelines can lead to an outright pause on the harvest of a particular species for several seasons until their numbers can recover. Send tips, feedback, and story ideas to NGP. WildlifeWatch natgeo. Copyright © National Geographic Society Copyright © National Geographic Partners, LLC.
All rights reserved. Visual clues. Buy in season. Cook at home. Buy certified. Choose salmon farmed on land. Pay the price. Ask questions. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Are you getting the salmon you paid for?
Animals Wildlife Watch Are you getting the salmon you paid for? What is aquaculture? It may be the solution to overfishing. Environment What is aquaculture? From seaweed to shellfish, this fast-growing industry is ensuring that humans have enough protein for our diets.
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helpdesk oshensalmon. Our sustalnability salmon arrives to aslmon U. S via cargo sxlmon passenger flights. Hellooo airline miles! Wild salmon sustainability practices aim to Wilx our carbon Wild salmon sustainability practices, so we work with partner airlines to ship our product via international passenger flights from Chile. To maintain optimal freshness, our salmon arrives in style in designed coolers that keep them at optimal temperature — cool but never frozen. Our salmon stays fresh as it journeys to your doorstep.Salmon cakes, practics, baked salmon, teriyaki salmon, salmon sustainaiblity, pan-fried salmon, poached Wild salmon sustainability practices, practixes poke bowls—simply put, we love salmon.
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In confined slamon farming operations, infestations can spread quickly, meaning that infected fish cannot be sold, and instead must be discarded—possibly infecting wild species, too.
Now, most farms have eight or even 10 pens —accounting for the same number of fish as the entire wild Atlantic salmon population! Who supports salmon farming —and is there even a reason to?
While salmon farming is associated with significant concerns, there are two main reasons to support salmon farming: it creates jobs and it provides food to meet growing levels of salmon farming consumption.
Unfortunately, they often bear the burden of economic, social, and environmental costs, too. Transparency and accountability are low, and the cost of salmon mortality, disease spread, feed impacts, and pollution are high. However, in order to meet demand sustainably, there need to be some significant changes to salmon farming systems so that they minimize environmental impact.
There are two main ways this can be accomplished, and one of them is increasingly being used to farm salmon. A re-circulation system is a type of closed aquaculture that, as the name suggests, treats and re-circulates the water in the system. By treating the effluent, waste and pollutants are removed, meaning that pollution and disease transfer are less likely to enter natural bodies of water.
Sometimes, a re-circulation system is used on land, and the discharged water and solid waste can be used to grow plants or as a fertilizer. Also, while solid waste and water discharges can be used sustainably, it has yet to be seen that that actually happens. As one of the most environmentally impactful aspects of salmon farming, feed that comes from wild fishmeal and fish oil is required for salmon raised in re-circulation systems—which also jeopardizes its ability to be a sustainable farming system.
Even when plant-based feed is used instead, it has a similar environmental impact. So, while land-based re-circulation aquaculture systems have the potential to be used as a sustainable salmon farming system, many improvements still need to be made to allow it to win the farm raised vs wild caught salmon debate.
That said, however, salmon farming has a long way to come before it can be considered sustainable. Just added to your cart. Continue shopping. Close search. Sustainable Salmon Farming: Is it Possible? by Citta Paramita June 24, Why is Salmon Farming Popular?
Environmental Impacts of Salmon Farming The environmental impacts of salmon farming are varied, and largely depend on the type of aquaculture system used.
Common Salmon Farming Practices that are Not Sustainable As it stands, there are several farming practices that have a negative impact on our environment. Problematic Practice 2: Feed Source As carnivores with a voracious appetite, salmon requires other animal products to grow.
Problematic Practice 3: Confined Conditions While fish generally prefer moving together in a group, some aquaculture systems have hundreds of thousands of salmon packed tightly together.
Who Supports Salmon Farming? Summary: Is Sustainable Salmon Farming Possible? Shop Salmon. Back to Learn.
: Wild salmon sustainability practices| Sourcing Sustainable Wild Salmon – Patagonia Provisions | Age verification. The demand for salmon continues to grow every year. S via cargo and passenger flights. Seafood Watch endorses farm-raised salmon certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council ASC and wild-caught salmon certified by the Marine Stewardship Council MSC. Shipping, taxes, and discount codes calculated at checkout. The salmon are well monitored and taken care of, so the fish come out tastier and more nutritious! All rights reserved. |
| Sustainable Salmon: Farm Raised or Wild Caught? | Alaskan Salmon Co. – Alaskan Salmon Co. | By supporting local businesses, you are helping to create jobs and economic opportunities for people in your communities. Moreover, you are helping to keep your dollars within the local economy, which can lead to more investments in local infrastructure, education, and other critical services. Small boat PWS salmon fishermen, Hayley Hoover and Robert Silveira. Supporting local businesses that prioritize sustainability is an essential step in being eco-conscious. By choosing to buy locally sourced products and support businesses that prioritize sustainable practices, we can help reduce our carbon footprint, promote environmentally friendly practices, and build a more resilient and sustainable local economy. So, whether f you're in the area surrounding Prince William Sound or your own region, consider choosing local businesses that prioritize sustainability and make a positive impact on the environment and your community. Tags : Sustainability , Prince William Sound , PWS , Wild Alaska Salmon , Salmon , Fisheries , Buy Local , Eco-Friendly Practices. Site by. By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy Accept. Our Story Recipe Cards Blog Gear Shop Contact Locations. Rss Feed. Salmon for a Sustainable Future Published February 28th, by Prince William Sound. Read more about Our Commitment To Sustainability One of the most impactful ways to be eco-conscious is to support local businesses that prioritize sustainability. Here are some ways you can support sustainable salmon fishing practices in and around Prince William Sound: Buy wild salmon from sustainable traceable sources: When you buy wild salmon, make sure it comes from sustainable sources. Sustainable sources are those that use responsible fishing practices that minimize the impact on the environment and ensure the longevity of the salmon population. Just added to your cart. Continue shopping. Close search. Sustainable Salmon Farming: Is it Possible? by Citta Paramita June 24, Why is Salmon Farming Popular? Environmental Impacts of Salmon Farming The environmental impacts of salmon farming are varied, and largely depend on the type of aquaculture system used. Common Salmon Farming Practices that are Not Sustainable As it stands, there are several farming practices that have a negative impact on our environment. Problematic Practice 2: Feed Source As carnivores with a voracious appetite, salmon requires other animal products to grow. Problematic Practice 3: Confined Conditions While fish generally prefer moving together in a group, some aquaculture systems have hundreds of thousands of salmon packed tightly together. Who Supports Salmon Farming? Summary: Is Sustainable Salmon Farming Possible? Shop Salmon. Back to Learn. To maintain optimal freshness, our salmon arrives in style in designed coolers that keep them at optimal temperature — cool but never frozen. Our salmon stays fresh as it journeys to your doorstep. Our frozen portions are vacuum-sealed at peak freshness and are immediately flash-frozen to ensure you are receiving the most flavorful experience. The word sustainable has become a buzzword recently for every company looking to be greener. But, too often the label of sustainable is nothing more than a sales ploy, and the business has no eco-friendly practices beyond basic recycling. This makes it hard to identify what companies are really doing their part to protect our planet. At Oshēn Salmon , our salmon production is truly sustainable. The Best Aquaculture Practices BAP , British Retail Consortium BRC , and Aquaculture Stewardship Council ASC certifications all verify that our process is totally eco-friendly. Despite the many myths about fish farming, our sustainable salmon is environmentally friendly, nutrient-dense, and so delicious! Land farmed salmon live in large above-ground pens that create artificial living conditions that are often dark, over-crowded, and sometimes teeming with diseases like sea lice. With our natural aquaculture systems, the salmon can swim in real ocean currents and live in their true habitat with no negative environmental impacts. This makes our customers happy and our fish are pretty happy too. One way companies fail to be sustainable is through their excessive use of resources. From maintaining large buildings of people to burning thousands of gallons of gas in transport trucks, big business consumes just as much as it produces. This is true even in the fish farming industry! Land farmed salmon requires those large above-ground pens, tons of water, and lots of equipment to maintain the artificial aquatic environment. Since we use the ocean to do what it does best raise fish, of course our operation requires very few resources. And when it comes to shipping, we do that as sustainably as possible too! We fly our salmon out on passenger flights already headed to their final destination. With every step of production, our environment is considered first! The demand for salmon continues to grow every year. This has resulted in a massive overfishing issue and the wild salmon populations have tanked in many areas! This means that wild caught operations, though they may seem better for the environment, are actually worse. |
| Tips to make sure you're buying sustainable salmon | We believe that targeting only these abundant species and harvesting at a responsible level are the keys to saving salmon for the future. The responsible sourcing practices we use today have been developed in partnership with the Wild Fish Conservancy. All Patagonia Provisions salmon must be harvested from wild, self-sustaining populations rather than hatchery stocks or net-pen fish farms. We only work with place-based fisheries where sound science can assess fish population status and needs, and which use techniques, location or timing to minimize bycatch. Preference is given to fisheries that maximize eating quality through careful, individual handling of fish and support the health of the environment and human communities. Finally, all Provisions salmon are marketed with full transparency, including packaging that names the species, harvest location and type of gear used. Skip to content. Patagonia Worn Wear Provisions. We're in business to save our home planet. View all results. Wild Sockeye Salmon Our Wild Sockeye Salmon comes from a community-based fishery in the icy waters of Alaska. NUTRITION: AN OCEAN SUPERFOOD Wild salmon is an excellent source of protein, and each serving of our wild sockeye contains mg of omega-3 fatty acids. SALMON SOURCING: THE POWER OF PLACE Place-based fisheries are based on the knowledge that every run, or stock, of wild salmon has evolved to return to the river of their birth to spawn. ENVIRO: FISHING FOR THE FUTURE A sockeye salmon boat near the mouth of the Situk river, with its short-soak set net stretching out from shore to target sockeye. Sockeye has a deep red-orange hue and a flatter appearance than the plump, artificially blush-colored Atlantic salmon, veined with fat. Be attentive when you want chinook king salmon , which can look similar to Atlantic salmon. One nationwide Oceana study showed that salmon fraud happened only 7 percent of the time in the summer, when fresh wild salmon is readily available, but jumps to 40 percent in winter. Research shows the greatest odds of getting duped occur in restaurants. An Oceana study found that diners are likely to get the wrong fish 67 percent of the time when ordering salmon. Most often farmed salmon is served as more expensive wild species. Seafood Watch endorses farm-raised salmon certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council ASC and wild-caught salmon certified by the Marine Stewardship Council MSC. MSC certification for some fisheries, such as tuna from Mexico , is controversial because of concerns about dolphins and other marine life caught as bycatch. Recently, some aquaculture operations in the U. Deep discounts or unusually low prices can be an indication of fish fraud. Pressure from consumers for stores and restaurants to offer sustainable seafood and provide accurate information about its origins can help shift industry practices, experts say. We just need consumers to care. Wildlife Watch is an investigative reporting project between National Geographic Society and National Geographic Partners focusing on wildlife crime and exploitation. Send tips, feedback, and story ideas to NGP. WildlifeWatch natgeo. Copyright © National Geographic Society Copyright © National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Visual clues. Buy in season. Cook at home. Buy certified. Choose salmon farmed on land. Pay the price. Cookie Settings Accept All. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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| Facts on Responsible Salmon Farming | Global Salmon Initiative | Whether farmed or wild, salmon get their color from their diet. Farmed salmon diets are carefully formulated to replicate the nutrients found in their natural diet, ensuring their color and nutritional quality Is farmed salmon as healthy as wild salmon? Farmed salmon has just as much nutritional value as its wild counterpart. A lot of science and innovation has gone into perfecting the diets and living conditions of farmed salmon to make sure they as closely replicate their wild counterparts. While some may have personal texture and colour preferen We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Cookie Settings Accept All. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Cookie Duration Description cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement 1 year This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics 1 year This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional 1 year The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary 1 year This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". cookielawinfo-checkbox-others 1 year This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other". cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance 1 year This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One of the biggest evolutions in salmon feed is a decrease in fish-based ingredients and an increase in plant-based ingredients, like algae or canola oil. Soy, wheat, corn, peas and beans are also used as plant-based protein alternatives. To ensure farmed salmon get the same nutrients as their wild counterparts, their feed has traditionally contained wild fish to replicate their natural diets. In the last 10 years, salmon farmers have drastically reduced the use of forage fish in feeds, replacing them with plant-based and non-marine ingredients such as algae and canola oils. The ratio of fish to non-fish ingredients in feed, known as feed conversion ratio FCR has declined from to or even lower today. When marine ingredients are used in the feed, our members ensure they are from sustainable wild stocks and increasingly from trimmings or by-products from other fisheries to ensure greater circularity in resources so nothing is wasted. The combination of innovation and the diversification of resources from utilizing novel plant sources like algae and responsible use of certified marine ingredients helps reduce pressure on wild fish stocks. Krill is an important ingredient in aquaculture feed because of the nutritional benefits it offers for fish health. As a bottom feeding crustacean, krill is packed with vitamins, proteins, fats and omega-3s EPA and DHA. This nutrient package supports immunity, improves disease resistance and helps salmon grow and thrive. As part of our work, GSI member companies, alongside our feed associates are committed to ensuring sustainable use of krill through several approaches, including:. Both farmed and wild salmon are nutrient-dense, contributing high-quality protein, healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamins D, B and B-5 to the diet. Farmed Atlantic salmon is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than wild salmon, but overall research shows there is no consistent difference in the health benefits of wild or farmed salmon. The chart below shows a breakdown of the nutrient profiles of various farmed and wild salmon species. Like humans and other animals, farmed salmon require vaccination against common illnesses to protect them and keep them healthy, and on occasion they may require treatment with antibiotics if diseases pose a risk that cannot be managed preventively. Antibiotic use in farmed salmon is much lower than in other animal producing sectors. When treatment is necessary, it is overseen by fish veterinarians under government regulations. In addition, all farmed salmon products have to go through food safety screening programs to enter human consumption markets to ensure they pass all health and safety checks. All farmed salmon are produced and sold in line with global health guidelines and regulations. Food and Drug Administration. Sea lice are parasites that are naturally present in marine environments and feed on fish. Sea lice pose a critical challenge for most of the salmon farming industry and preventing sea lice occurrence is a priority area for improvement. GSI members are continually seeking new approaches and effective methods to reduce the number of sea lice, such as:. Farmers are required under local regulations to limit sea lice numbers so they do not impact the farmed fish or the wider ecosystem. To achieve this, farmers employ a strategic approach to combatting sea lice, combining preventative farming practices like fallowing and low stocking densities with approved treatments when necessary. They are also investing millions into research and development of holistic, non-medicinal sea lice treatment technologies, including freshwater well boats, warm water, brood stock development, and cleaner fish. While some may argue farmed salmon increase sea lice in wild populations, research from a report in Canada demonstrated that salmon farms do not influence levels of sea lice on wild fish. In farmed salmon, the presence of contaminants is closely monitored, and levels are kept well below the safe limits set by global food safety authorities. Recent research from shows farmed salmon is low in dioxins and has far less exposure to PCBs and dioxins than wild salmon, however this may vary by region. Experts widely recommend low-mercury seafood options, including salmon, because the health benefits outweigh the risk. For many reasons, farmers take every precaution to avoid fish escapes, which may occur when pens are damaged through severe weather events. Thanks to innovative tools, improved management practices and strict management protocols, we have seen a net reduction in escapes over the years and we work hard to maintain that trend. On the rare occasion farmed salmon do escape, they are highly unlikely to breed with wild salmon or compete with them for resources. Farmed salmon are domestic animals, so they are poorly suited to wild environments and generally do not survive long enough to breed or seek out food. As with all animal rearing sectors, there is mortality in the stocks. This can happen due to unusual weather caused by climate change, poor health, escapes, or other reasons. As farmers, we are working harder than ever to understand the root causes of fish mortality and how to prevent them. We are continually implementing evolving best practices to better protect our fish. For example, to better predict harmful algae blooms, we introduced additional water monitoring technology to closely analyze changes in water temperature and oxygen levels to predict when these may occur and prevent harmful impacts on the fish. Farmed salmon is one of the most efficient and sustainable forms of protein available when compared to other animal sources. It has a lower carbon footprint, uses less land and is more resource efficient. Despite these facts, GSI members are committed to making continual improvements that ensure salmon farming supports healthy, sustainable and resilient food systems in the most environmentally conscious way. This includes assessing and developing the use of land-based systems and alternative feed ingredients. Clean marine conditions are an essential component of raising the highest quality farmed salmon, so we take a number of measures to keep them this way:. Farmed salmon, like all fish, do produce waste in the form of feces. This can affect the environment, however, the waste is formed of organic matter i. In salmon farms, vs. |
| Farmed salmon don’t always help wild species | While salmon farming is associated with significant concerns, there are two main reasons to support salmon farming: it creates jobs and it provides food to meet growing levels of salmon farming consumption. Unfortunately, they often bear the burden of economic, social, and environmental costs, too. Transparency and accountability are low, and the cost of salmon mortality, disease spread, feed impacts, and pollution are high. However, in order to meet demand sustainably, there need to be some significant changes to salmon farming systems so that they minimize environmental impact. There are two main ways this can be accomplished, and one of them is increasingly being used to farm salmon. A re-circulation system is a type of closed aquaculture that, as the name suggests, treats and re-circulates the water in the system. By treating the effluent, waste and pollutants are removed, meaning that pollution and disease transfer are less likely to enter natural bodies of water. Sometimes, a re-circulation system is used on land, and the discharged water and solid waste can be used to grow plants or as a fertilizer. Also, while solid waste and water discharges can be used sustainably, it has yet to be seen that that actually happens. As one of the most environmentally impactful aspects of salmon farming, feed that comes from wild fishmeal and fish oil is required for salmon raised in re-circulation systems—which also jeopardizes its ability to be a sustainable farming system. Even when plant-based feed is used instead, it has a similar environmental impact. So, while land-based re-circulation aquaculture systems have the potential to be used as a sustainable salmon farming system, many improvements still need to be made to allow it to win the farm raised vs wild caught salmon debate. That said, however, salmon farming has a long way to come before it can be considered sustainable. Just added to your cart. Here's what to know about aquaculture. Americans import 90 percent of their seafood, 50 percent of which comes from aquaculture, but permitting remains a barrier to expanding offshore fish farms. Environment 10 simple ways to change your life in When you work at National Geographic, you encounter ways you can change the world and yourself almost every day. Here are our staff's most useful insights for the new year. Go Further. Animals Bats can sing—and this species might be crooning love songs. Animals As Arctic sea ice disappears, polar bears will likely starve. Animals Surprise: 5 new species of the mesmerizing eyelash viper discovered. Animals These creatures of the 'twilight zone' are vital to our oceans. Animals What's behind the ghostly appearance of this rare badger? Environment Effects of Global Warming. Environment 5 simple things you can do to live more sustainably. Environment Have we been talking about climate change all wrong? Environment What is the ARkStorm? California's worst nightmare, potentially. Paid Content Why indigenous relationships with water matter. Paid Content 14 of the best cultural experiences in Kansai. History Magazine Harriet Tubman, the spy: uncovering her secret Civil War missions. Science Mind, Body, Wonder Want to strengthen your bones? Look beyond vitamin D. Science Mind, Body, Wonder Psychedelics may help treat PTSD—and the VA is intrigued. Science Dementia has no cure. Science Is chocolate actually good for you? Yakutat, Alaska. Photo by Amy Kumler. Our fishing partners use short-soak set nets, which are anchored on shore at one end and about feet out in the water on the other. As opposed to drift nets, which drift through the middle of the water, set nets allow fishermen to better target specific salmon species. The nets are checked every few hours, and all sockeye that are harvested are immediately put on slush ice, which helps maintain their firm texture and maximizes quality. Late summer on the Pacific Coast has always meant wild salmon returning from the sea to the rivers of their birth, with a vast ripple effect on ecosystems, economies and cultures from Alaska to Southern California. These nutrients feed everything from bears and wolves to insects, and—eventually--the forests. For at least the past 10, years, salmon have nourished humanity, too, shaping the cultures and economies of peoples all along the West Coast. Over the past century, though, the immense runs of wild salmon have been decimated by overfishing, pollution and parasites from open-water net-pen salmon farms, and genetic dilution from hatchery salmon releases. Almost miraculously, some wild runs continue to thrive. We believe that targeting only these abundant species and harvesting at a responsible level are the keys to saving salmon for the future. The responsible sourcing practices we use today have been developed in partnership with the Wild Fish Conservancy. All Patagonia Provisions salmon must be harvested from wild, self-sustaining populations rather than hatchery stocks or net-pen fish farms. We only work with place-based fisheries where sound science can assess fish population status and needs, and which use techniques, location or timing to minimize bycatch. |
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