Sustainable Salmon Farming
Sustainability – Saving Our Resources Now and for the Future
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"
The World Commission on Environment and Development 1987 (Brundtlalnd Commission)
When we practice sustainability, it means we become better stewards of the environment and promote economic
growth and social objectives. It also can be a strong catalyst for innovation, competitiveness in the market place and
can improve our quality of life. Aquaculture is rooted in these very ideas because:
- The ever-growing demand of affordable, healthy sources of protein from seafood puts great stress on the environment. Only aquaculture can keep up with this demand and protect natural supplies and their eco-systems.
- Farm-raised fish only thrive in a clean, unpolluted environment. For this reason alone, aquaculture promotes the conservation of nature.
- Aquaculture sustains not only the environment but helps to build a strong economy by offering fishermen the opportunity to prosper without depleting natural sources and by providing an affordable product year-round.
Sustainable Aquaculture – Riding the Wave of the Future
Aquaculture "involves the managed reproduction and growth of aquatic animals under controlled conditions." It's these controlled conditions that ensure that the environment is respected and the consumer is offered the highest quality for a great price. Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. and global agricultural economies and continues to provide the world with the greatest hope of supplying demand while protecting and conserving natural resources. One of the reasons for the trend toward the sea versus land is that unlike agriculture, aquaculture is based on volume rather than area and it is quite clear that the land available for producing food is not keeping up with population growth.
The ways in which salmon farming promotes sustainability includes:
- Requiring less feed per pound of live weight in comparison to other animals such as beef or chicken. That means fewer resources are used than with traditional sources of protein.
- Eliminating the occurrence of non-target fish and other marine species (such as dolphins, sea turtles, etc.) being unintentionally caught in nets.
- Preserving wild forage fish by continual research into better feed for farmed fish which would reduce the use of fishmeal and fish oil.
- Reducing fuel usage and pollution by having production facilities located close to the farms.
- Reducing food waste and water contamination by using ocean floor vacuums and cameras.
- Protecting the ecosystem surrounding the farms by continuous monitoring of waste and constant environmental
assessment by government agencies. - Helping to preserve the ozone since there is no release of methane gas.
Our producers are located in Chile and Norway, countries that take immense pride in protecting their coastlines. These countries have strict government monitoring, regulation and control over their aquaculture and have become the leaders in not only ocean-farming technology but in staying harmonious with nature. All of this of course contributes to the ultimate goal of having an industry that is sustainable in both an environmental and economic way.
Scarcity of resources and demand from growing populations makes salmon fish farming one of the most viable choices and truly the wave of the future as scientists and countries around the globe search for sustainable solutions to not only promote good health but preventing hunger.