You’ve seen wild-caught salmon in health food stores, high-end restaurants, sushi bars, and pretty much any other place that has an air of quality or wellness about it. Some people don’t know why the qualifier is there or if it really makes the salmon taste or be healthier than the other way. Today, about 70% of the salmon that is sold comes from farms, but you won’t see the term “farm-raised” used very often in marketing. Even though most of the meat we eat, like turkey and pork, comes from farms, many people still like their fish to come from nature. Advertisement.
It’s worth wondering what the real difference is between farmed salmon and wild salmon since wild salmon can cost up to four times as much as farmed salmon. As it turns out, a salmons origin may mean the difference between permission and prohibition. No, it’s not because of the color difference; that’s not a good way to pick out a good salmon anyway. In fact, some countries have banned the method of farming because it could be bad for people’s health and the environment.
Farmed salmon has become a hot topic of debate in Australia recently. There have been growing calls from environmental and consumer groups to ban salmon farming sparking the question – is farmed salmon actually banned in Australia?
At this point, the short answer is no. Farmed salmon is not currently prohibited in Australia. However, the salmon aquaculture industry here does face increasing opposition and demands for reform.
The Growth of Salmon Farming in Australia
Salmon farming first emerged as an industry in Tasmania in the 1980s Since then, it has expanded into a $780 million sector, with over 50,000 tonnes of farmed salmon produced annually. The vast majority of Australia’s farmed salmon comes from Tasmania
Salmon farming operations market their product as an ethical, eco-friendly choice. Yet this reputation is being challenged by activists who claim salmon aquaculture damages the environment, misleads consumers, and threatens wild salmon.
Key Concerns Around Salmon Farming
Several major concerns around salmon farming in Australia have been raised:
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Pollution – Salmon farms release waste, excess food, and chemicals into surrounding waters. This can encourage algal blooms and reduce oxygen for other marine life.
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Disease – High density pens are breeding grounds for sea lice and disease outbreaks that can spread to wild populations.
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Escaped fish – Farmed escaped salmon compete with and interbreed with native wild salmon, altering genetics.
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Lower nutritional value – Farmed salmon are fed pellets with fishmeal, artificial colorants, and chemical contaminants. They contain higher levels of PCBs and mercury than wild salmon.
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Antibiotic overuse – Frequent antibiotic treatments to control disease on farms may breed resistant bacteria dangerous to humans.
Calls for Reform and Opposition
Due to these impacts, groups like the Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection call for phasing open net pens out. They want to transition to closed containment systems on land instead.
Other suggested reforms are mandating organic production, banning astaxanthin color additives, and disclosing antibiotic use.
Some feel the current regulations are inadequate and demand an independent inquiry into aquaculture. Polls show 80% of Tasmanians oppose expanding salmon farming.
No Outright Ban Yet
Despite vocal opposition, there is currently no legislation fully outlawing salmon farming in Australia. Banning farmed salmon production could threaten jobs and a sizable export industry.
The trade organization SFA Australia states the government has no legal grounds to prohibit aquaculture under World Trade Organization rules.
So while the controversy continues, salmon farming goes on around Australia’s coastline. Consumers can opt to purchase wild-caught salmon or other ethical seafood if they wish to avoid farmed. But farmed salmon remains available legally in shops and restaurants.
Ongoing Debate and Scrutiny
This complex issue requires balancing health, environment, jobs and food demand factors. More unbiased research on impacts could help guide evidence-based policies.
For now, improved transparency and tighter regulations may be needed for salmon farming to regain public trust. But an outright blanket ban does not appear imminent currently.
The debate shows the need to continually re-evaluate food systems as new data emerges. Australia must find a way forward that addresses concerns while supporting sustainable industries.
So while farmed salmon faces criticism, it is not prohibited outright yet. Consumers and stakeholders on all sides continue advocating their position in this evolving discussion.
Why certain countries are wary of farm-raised salmon
By 2024, salmon farms will not be allowed in many countries, such as Australia, Denmark, and Buenos Aires; also in Pacific American states like Alaska, California, and Washington. Or, at least, certain practices within the salmon farming industry are banned. One of these is the use of open net pens, which are where about 99% of farmed salmon comes from but also cause major problems for local aquatic ecosystems because water flows between the pens and the open water. Many salmon are kept in small spaces, which can speed up the spread of diseases and sea lice, both within the farmed population and to other salmon. Advertisement.
Farmers will combat these issues with antibiotics and pesticide treatments, which can pose adverse effects on nearby wildlife. Catherine Collins, co-author of the 2022 book “Salmon Wars: The Dark Underbelly of Your Favorite Fish” reported in the New York Times, “Every place where Atlantic salmon is raised in net-pens, the wild population has declined by as much as 70 percent.”
As for health, its hard to argue against wild caught salmon. For more than 20 years, scientists have found about seven times more PCBs, a likely carcinogen, in farmed salmon compared to its wild counterpart. Additionally, the antibiotics commonly used for farmed salmon have raised concerns about the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans. Given this, food experts commonly urge consumers to opt for wild-caught over farm-raised salmon. Advertisement
Salmon farming exposed: Does the industry’s ‘green image’ stack up? | Four Corners
FAQ
Can you buy farmed salmon in Australia?
Is salmon in Australia safe to eat?
Where is farm raised salmon banned?
Is Canadian farmed salmon safe to eat?
Will Tasmanian salmon be banned?
One anti-fish-farming community group says it is gearing up for a campaign to convince consumers on mainland Australia to not eat Tasmanian farmed salmon About 400,000 people visit Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) every year, but they won’t find Tasmanian salmon on the menu at any of its restaurants.
Where are salmon farms banned?
Read more: 12 Plant Based Burgers For Carnivores And Vegetarians As of 2024, salmon farms are banned in multiple countries, including Denmark, Argentina, and Australia, and Pacific American states, including Alaska, California, and Washington. Or, at least, certain practices within the salmon farming industry are banned.
How does the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme improve the welfare of farmed salmon?
If you’re looking for information about how the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme improves the welfare of farmed salmon, we’re here to help. The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is just one of the ways in which the RSPCA works to improve the lives of animals that are farmed for food in Australia.
Is eating salmon killing Tasmania?
“Eating salmon is killing Tasmania … that is a campaign which we are launching and will go nationwide sometime in the not distant future,” he said. A dish with Tasmanian farmed Atlantic salmon, as promoted by Huon Aquaculture on its website. (Huon Aquaculture)