The Wild Salmon Debate

By David Dobbs, March/April 2008

A fresh look at farmed vs. wild.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Any updates to this article? Curious about the state of the wild populations in Broughton. Great article. Seriously bums me out over the $20 in farmed salmon I've got sitting in the fridge - not to mention the big slab of it I just...

COMMENTS	POSTED
We not only should be completely avoiding farmed salmon, we should be boycotting those restaurants and supermarkets still offering these enviromentally distructive frankenfoods. Anonymous, Seattle, WA — Anonymous	10/04/2009 - 2:52pm
If your bank account is big enough to shoulder the cost of Wild Caught, Grass Fed, Organically Grown, then bravo for you. Most of us out here in the real world are not in a position to endorse over our entire paychecks to Whole Foods and other markets alike. In a perfect world we would all eat only the purest of foods. But this clearly is not a perfect world, and a good portion of us are just glad we can reap the health benefits from the salmon we are "able" to afford. Anonymous, Thousand Oaks, CA — Anonymous	11/09/2009 - 9:56am
As others have pointed out, not a lot of consumers realize the true cost of their consumption, we expect food to be cheaper than it really costs to produce. Also as another said, these are part of the rest of the food chain as well and this effects much more than just humans. To say that you will buy it anyway and "who cares" just makes you look like an idiot anyway. Supporting the farmed salmon induatry will do nothing but cost us all in the end. If you cannot afford to eat wild salmon (which I find to be reasonably priced and I do not make much money) then DON'T EAT IT. Why do we feel entitled to eat all these things that are cheaper (because we won't or can't pay more for them) while compromising the whole planet at the same time? There are plenty of other things to eat. It's ridiculous, irresponsible and stupid. This is the kind of thinking that is ruining our planet that we all share, and ruining our country. — Anonymous	01/26/2010 - 4:01pm
The practical side choosing the least toxic always pays out in the long run - using only a serving that fits in your palm is all that is needed per serving to get the benefits with using the wild salmon. This gives more room to add the needed vegetables & carbs to our diet keeping us slim & trim & more healthy life style. — Anonymous	08/27/2010 - 8:23pm
well idk about the salmon but frankly i dont care ethier — Anonymous	12/02/2010 - 1:52pm
Brilliant article. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us. I agree with your conclusion. Thank You, OldTimer — Anonymous	04/27/2012 - 8:21pm
RE the cost of wild vs. farmed salmon, I can get almost a pound of wild-caught salmon from TJ's for a little over $7, doesn't exactly break the bank. Knowing what I now know about farmed salmon, I'll never touch it again, unless and until they implement better practices as outlined in the article. The methods they use now are horrible both for the fish and the consumers. Call me sentimental, but I think quality of life for the fish counts for something. — Anonymous	01/24/2013 - 8:08pm
Any updates to this article? Curious about the state of the wild populations in Broughton. Great article. Seriously bums me out over the $20 in farmed salmon I've got sitting in the fridge - not to mention the big slab of it I just consumed. Ugh. I feel like I'm running out of stuff to eat. God help us all if something isn't done to preserve our food supplies. — Anonymous	04/23/2013 - 10:43pm