|
Walter + Group...
Anecdotal comments on salmon farming from Bill Kessler :
Gordy,
Some anecdotes about Atlantic Salmon Farming. Since 2001 I have been to the Coyhaique area of Chile six times. I saw my first Chinook in a river in 2006. Each year since then the number of salmon we see and sometimes almost step on has increased significantly. Talking with people and through personal observation it is clear that we are witnessing a dramatic colonization of Chinook Salmon in the rivers around Coyhaique. This area is also a prolific producer of Atlantic Salmon. I have also been told that there is a naturally reproducing Atlantic Salmon run in the Puelo River in the Puerto Montt area. So in this environment wild naturally reproducing sea run fish are on the increase in the face of intensive Atlantic Salmon farming.
[GH] The fact that there are Chinook salmon in this area makes me wonder if these had been stocked and/or if there are Chinook salmon farms as well as Atlantic Salmon farms with fish escaping into the wild.
I don't know why this is occurring in Chile or how long it may last. But, the environment is certainly hospitable to anadromous fishes in Chile. It is certain that there is a significant problem with salmon farming in the northern hemisphere. It may be that the Chilean salmon farming industry has not as yet been able to overwelm the vast natural resource of Chile.
A comment on the quality of farmed salmon versus farmed salmon. I believe that it is true that farm reared salmon are less nutritious than wild salmon. But, I would take exception to the flavor question. It is my impression that the flavor of farm reared Atlantic Salmon superior to the wild Sockeye available in area super markets. I find the Sockeye dry and less flavorful. I also had an opportunity to fish in the Murmansk area of Russia five weeks ago with local Russians. The Russians killed some fish so I had the opportunity to eat salmon just out of the water both cooked and raw. I was very surprised to find the salmon less flavorful than farm salmon. I think it is a matter of higher fat content in farm salmon.
[GH] Some would take issue with the taste difference. When I compare the taste and texture of Atlantic salmon which are farmed with that of the wild fish from the same market, I found the wild fish much better. This may be one reason some folks are willing to pay a much higher price for these fillets.
I prefer wild Atlantic salmon to wild Sockeye salmon for the table anyway.
Of course, all this is quite subjective, so it may boil down to personal preference.
Bill
|