Salmon, Atlantic | Good Fish Guide | The consumer guide to sustainable seafood

Common name - Salmon, Atlantic

Scientific name - Salmo salar

Average rating

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Consumer Information

The Atlantic salmon is one of 4 species of salmonids native to European waters. They move between freshwater and seawater during their lifecycle, as they spawn in freshwater rivers and then migrate to sea. Adult salmon typically return to spawn in their natal rivers after spending up to 3 years at sea. Some die after spawning but a number survive to spawn a 2nd or 3rd time. Wild Atlantic salmon are severely depleted over much of their range, including around the UK. There may be several reasons for this, not least overfishing. It is now however widely available thanks to fish farming. Generally, farming of salmon is not sustainable the fish are fed wild-caught fish in their diets, and farming fish poses a number of environmental problems. Buying organically farmed fish ensures their feed is sourced sustainably, stocking densities are reduced and chemical usage minimised. RSPCA Freedom Foods scheme ensure that high welfare standards are met including reduced stocking densities. Alternatively, there are 5 species of Pacific salmon. All Alaskan salmon are certified as responsibly managed for sustainable use to the Alaska FAO-Based Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification Programme. Salmon is an oily fish, rich in Omega 3. It is also a good source of Vitamin D, phosphorous and calcium. Fresh salmon may be baked, grilled or poached. It is also canned, pickled (gravadlax) or smoked. It is also used as a substitute for sushi and in sashimi.

Summary

Generally stocks of wild Atlantic salmon are severely depleted. There may be several reasons for this, not least overfishing. Other factors may include: pollution, environmental changes, aquaculture, freshwater habitat deterioration and impediments to migration routes. Due to the migratory behaviour of salmon it is difficult to effectively manage individual populations. ICES scientists recommend that fishing for salmon only takes place in rivers where stocks are known to be above conservation limits. Avoid eating wild-caught salmon from rivers below these limits. Salmon rivers predicted to be at risk or probably at risk in England and Wales in 2013 : NE: Tees; NW: Wyre, Crake, Calder; Southern: Test; SW: Axe, Dart, Erme, Hants Avon, Piddle, Plym, Stour, Tamar, Tavy, Torridge, Yealm;Wales: Clwyd, Dee, Dwyfawr, Dysinni, E&W Cleddau, Mawddach, Ogmore, Rheidol, Taf, Taff & Ely, Wye. The Environment Agency (EA) encourages the return of all salmon caught in these rivers throughout the season. To help conserve wild salmon stocks avoid sourcing wild-caught salmon from these rivers. For details of rivers with stocks above conservation limits see the Environment Agency websites.

Alternatives

(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)

Arctic char
Chinook Salmon, King Salmon
Chum Salmon, Keta
Coho Salmon, Silver Salmon
Pink Salmon, Spring Salmon
Salmon, Atlantic
Sockeye Salmon, Red Salmon
Trout, Brown or Sea
Trout, Rainbow

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