Last week I noted in my podcast with Jimmy Moore how expensive genuine wild salmon can cost. Since then, I’ve received a healthy number of emails asking for more info, tips, and the real benefits behind buying “wild.”
What exactly are salmon “farms”? How does the farm setting change the nutritional content of salmon? Is there really that much of a difference? Is farmed salmon even worth buying?
First off, salmon farms of some kind make up about 80% of salmon on the market today. (In the United States, the number is higher – 90% by some estimates.) Thirty percent come from traditional hatcheries, and the remaining 50% are raised in aquaculture or “open pen nets” just off shore. Farms can “raise” up to a million salmon at a time. I’ll throw in a visual.
Yup, gets more than a little crowded in there.
Because the farmed salmon are largely confined and fed a steady diet of formulated protein pellets, they’re inevitably fattier. “But isn’t that a good thing?” you might ask. “More omega-3s per serving, right?” The answers are “no” and “not really” to the above. I’ll explain.
Many assessments have found fewer omega-3s per ounce in farmed salmon compared with wild salmon, but we know the farmed stuff also comes with a hefty (not healthy) wallop of other fats including omega-6s. We then deal with the problem that the omega-6s and omega-3s compete for the same receptors in our bodies. Consequently, the “net” omega-3 gain will always be less than what you’ll get with a wild serving. Here’s a nifty chart that compares the fat content of some popular wild versus farmed fish varieties (including salmon) from this PDF.

And because the farmed fish are fattier, you’ll get less protein per serving as well.
To truly whet your appetite, I can’t skip the added ingredients you’ll get with a farmed fillet: dioxins, PCBs, fire retardants (those da-n things are everywhere, aren’t they???), pesticides (especially for sea lice), antibiotics, copper sulfate (to take care of algae on the nets), and – oh yeah – canthaxanthin (a dye associated with retinal damage used to make gray farmed fish various shades of “wild” pink).
As for dioxins, PCBs, and fire retardants, they show up in wild varieties as well, but the concentrations are vastly different. Tests have shown that farmed salmon contains 16 times more cancer-linked PCBs than wild salmon. The reason behind this difference? It’s those nasty little protein pellets – nuggets of mostly mashed fish and fish oil. The intense concentration of toxins from the fish feed builds up in the raised salmon over time – from fish farm to your fish dinner. Bon Appétit, by the way!
O.K., so you’re no fan of the farm anymore. To cloud the issue further, a “wild” label may only be telling a half truth. (They’re generally the less expensive “wild” brands offered in your grocery store.) As I described a few months back in Encore on Omegas, many to most “wild” salmon actually spend half their lives in hatcheries before being released. While these quasi-wild fish are a better nutritional deal than fully farmed salmon, they still bear the burdens of early exposure to toxins (dioxin, PCBs, etc.) and a less impressive omega 6:3 ratio.
So, what about truly wild salmon? As suggested, the genuine wild article only accounts for about 20% at most of the harvest. Some of the reasons it’s so darn expensive? The flood of farmed fish (and subsequent drop in asking price) has forced many traditional fishermen/women out of business. Add to this scenario the ongoing destruction of wild salmon populations by aquaculture farms, and we all end up paying a premium for the real thing.

Because the farm pens are essentially open, the enormous amount of disease- and parasite- (a.k.a. sea lice – yum!) laden waste is routinely allowed to contaminate the waters around the farm. Add to this environment the megadoses of pesticide-, toxin-, and antibiotic-laced waste, and the farms create a deadly environment for wild stocks that inhabit the areas. For more on the environmental destruction caused by aquaculture farms, check out these resources from the National Geographic, the New York Times, and the L.A. Times.
Your best bet finally is this: buy less salmon in order to afford the real deal. It’s all about bang for your buck after all. A smaller wild fillet will give you equal nutrition with fewer toxins. Additionally, look for Alaskan over Northwestern salmon. And don’t rule out canned salmon for big savings. Apparently, farmed salmon doesn’t can well, which means the majority of canned salmon is wild. (Pink salmon, the most commonly canned variety, doesn’t contain as much good fats as other kinds.) It’s one way to make salmon a more affordable addition to your Primal-style salad!
Finally, if you do choose to eat farmed salmon, the Environmental Working Group (applying EPA health standards) suggests eating no more than one serving of farmed salmon a month.
And, of course, I suggest you ensure a healthy daily dose of omega-3s with a good quality, pure fish oil supplement! (We know: broken record. What can we say?)
Your comments, questions, anecdotes, or additions? I look forward to them!
On the Problems of Cultivated Fruit
Omega-3 Round Up:
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262 Comments on "Salmon: Factory Farm vs. Wild"
Is no food sacred? Eventually it is going to be us being forcefed “Protien pellets”. 1 processed and synthisized pellet contains all the nutrition and nutrients a body needs! FDA approved and supported by the Corn Growers of America and Big Agra. Thank you for the heads-up mark, we just had some expensive salmon for dinner the other night and I don’t know if it was wild or farmed but I will definitely be looking in the future!
Just check out the 1970’s movie Soylent Green with Charlton Heston. That is where we are all headed my friend.
Soylent Green is people!!
[…] your head (if it’s not hurting from those barking dogs). Keep in mind that context includes source, not just quantity or […]
Hey Mark,
You mentioned eating less but wild salmon than from farms. It makes sense, may a little side tracked question but I’ll ask it anyways. If for any reason wild salmon is out of question, should we avoid eating salmon at all ? or are farm salmons are good alternatives to no salmon?
thanks.
Farmed salmon aka Pharm salmon is never a good option, not even if wild is not available. The salmon farming industry is pure evil, they are causing more harm to the oceans than you can possibly imagine. I know first hand how wicked they are, I saw them in court recently and I have researched them for a few yrs now. Smoking would be a better option than farmed salmon. The tobacco industry is on the same morality level but they don’t spread death to the oceans.
Now hold on a second…I am in complete agreement that commercial farms…in just about every sense..are bad for us…but if salmon were raised, let’s say in an aquaponic culture…not so many fish actually…but if they had a run per se…thaat might be just the difference needed.
They were also saying that it’s not just where they are raised, but what they are fed. Even being in a culture with a smaller population density, they would still have to be fed a healthy, natural diet in order to have better omega ratios and fat content.
Protein pellets made from mashed fish, eh? The salmon equivalent of Soylent Green!
I have also read that farmed salmon has to be dyed pink to give it that “healthy” wild glow, since it isn’t eating wild food! What a bargain!
Actually they put the coloring in the fish food and the customer can order the shade of pink, orange or red they prefer.
Idiocracy? I am a big Mike Judge fan. He grew up here in Albuquerque.
Can you tell from the packaging how “wild” the wild salmon is?
With so much doubt in salmon, are other types of fish a better choice?
By law fish must be labeled wild or farmed. Try frozen wild Alaska sockeye…
it is sooooo good… they have mastered freezing and vacuum packing. It is better than so called “fresh”. “Fresh only means it hasn’t been frozen…. it has been on ice or refridgerated for who knows how long.
Also the chart above lists wild Atlantic Salmon… I don’t think you could find that in any store.
Salmon in the wild eat microalgae called Haematoccous pluvialis which is a highly regarded antioxidant used in Astaxanthin. This is one of the most efficacious antioxidant supplements known. Always better to use Krill oil for high quality omega 3 supplements vs. fish oil (fish eat krill, so go right to the source)
Harvesting krill from our oceans isn’t a good idea for sustainability. We shouldn’t harvest the bottom of the food chain if we catch to much krill suddenly everything in the ocean doesn’t have enough food. If you must have a supplement make it fish oil. Or just eat some salmon, try pink salmon if your on a budget it’s wild, sustainable and affordable!
I am fairly sure that by law salmon must be labeled wild or farmed. I have heard of label cheating in New York. Farmed salmon will have much more fat (white stripes between the meat layers) than wild.
All salmon from Alaska is wild. Salmon farming is not allowed there.
Almost all of the hatchery fish in Alaska are Pink Salmon. Pinks return to spawn when they are two years old. They are the most abundant and cheapest salmon.
The only problem with hatchery fish is that they can put too many fish in the ocean that compete with the wild fish.
Great question, David!
We’ll be sure to address it in a future post.
Maybe it’s me, but I find it downright discouraging that it’s so hard to find decent food to eat these days. If you would have told man in the ancient days that it would come to this, he never would have believed it. It’s a sad state of affairs when you have to be wealthy to afford food that some team of food scientists hasn’t tampered with.
🙁
I think that driving to the grocery store and finding any kind of food you could possibly think of is a bit easier than hunting and gathering in the wild with sticks and stones. It’s not so hard… it just takes a little home work.
Mark, this was my first visit and I was blown away with your research and accuracy. I’ll never look at salmon again the same way again. While softgels might be the only way to go, they give me stomach upset and I can’t take them. Will there ever be a better solution? Thanks for being an earth angel and sharing.
Freeze your fish oil capsules. They will not upset your stomach or give you any nasty burb ups of fish oil.
I have heard that farmed fish were no where near as healthy as fish found in the wild, not to mention the cruelty of the idea of not allowing for a normal natural life for these fish. I have read that their are a lot of departures if you will from normal physical development as well. I think the sentiment is in the right place but we can perfect these tactics and give the fish a better life.
[…] Mark over at Mark’s Daily Apple gives us the run down on the differences in Farmed Salmon and Wild Salmon. […]
Mark,
What about other canned fish such as Mackeral and Sardines. Are the canned varities of these fish also wild?
Thanks,
Where do I purchase healthy wild salmon?
There are several retailers in Alaska that specialize in sending wild Alaskan salmon (and other seafood) around the United States. My favorite is Captain Jack’s Seafood Locker in Seward. http://www.captainjacksalaska.com They take the fish as soon as they are caught and fillet, vacuum pack, and freeze them. They usually have a few varieties in stock such as King and Sockeye. Otherwise, if you are shopping in a supermarket and you see Alaskan Salmon you’ll know it is wild because there are no salmon farms in Alaska.
Is Alaskan salmon contaminated by the fukushima accident, I’m wondering…
Thanks for the question, Brett. Check back next week for answers.
Cheers!
I have questions too about the “Chicken of the Sea” Pink Salmon that I’ve been eating. It seems too good to be true! The 6 oz. foil packet states: “Premium Wild-Caught Alaskan”. I like the taste and it is convenient. And it only costs a couple of bucks. The package also states that a 2 ounce serving provides 245 mg of EPA and DHA. (I eat the whole 6 ounces in my salads.)
I love sushi but it’s gotten that I don’t trust what type of fish is offered, so I’ve cut way down on eating it. It’s a shame.
Wow amazing research Mark. Really opened my eye’s to what is going on with Farmed Salmon…..I guess it really is worth paying that bit more for farmed organic fish. Thanks for the research and depth of the post, very good article!
Thanks to MDA I’ve been aware of this for a while, appreciate the in depth article though!
At my local supermarket they sell MSC Wild Alaskan Salmon fillets which are absolutely delicious. In fact, I’m having one tonight…can’t wait.
Diana,Go to the archives of “Organic Gardening” and look up the recipe for “Sun Jam.” It’s fruit, sugar – and lemon. That’s it, and it turns out fresh, bright – and not too thin. Also working with fruit that has tons of natural pectin gives you an extra thick jam – blackberry jam could be used to make sculpture!
Mark L,
Pink salmon is invariably wild and cheap. It’s also likely to be one of the least contaminated with mercury and other toxins due to its lower position on the food chain (compared to larger species like king and atlantic). My research also indicates that its one of the highest in O-3’s.
I was at the butcher just now picking out all of my good WILD fish and grass-fed, hormone free organic meet for the week. I am glad I asked what was wild and what was farm raised. It just so happens that the good salmon we had last week was wild! So I am good to go
I love fish but it is difficult to find fish that is not farm raised unless you catch it yourself. I saw a segment on TV about farm raised Tilapia that bothered me. The fed them pellets in a long aluminum tank. Many of the fish were eating each others poop too.
Salmon is great but it is soooo expensive! That is why I opt for taking a high quality fish oil on a regular basis.
Which Is Better? Eating Fish Or Taking Fish Oil Capsules?
[…] so much to everyone for their comments and emails on last week’s “Farmed versus Wild Salmon” post. The response, both posted and personal, was amazing. It’s what I love about […]
Trout Unlimited has a campaign running, to encourage people to buy more wild salmon and to ask for wild salmon at the grocery store. The more people know about this, the more we can help wild salmon stocks to recover. The example of the red drum fish recovery in the south, and striped bass in the north, shows what can be done.
Check it out at
http://www.whywild.org
Much of America’s farmed salmon comes from Chile. Not only does it have all the yummy additives you mentioned, but a heavy load of antibiotics as well. Here’s what’s happening in Chile:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/26/america/salmon.php
[…] week featured a posts about Fish and Eggs. Last week I linked to a post where Mark talked about the differences between Farmed and Wild Caught Salmon. You’d be surprised to know how many people don’t know or don’t care about the […]
I’ve noticed some cans of salmon have a raised stamp on the lid that says “wild caught” whereas other salmon that claims is wild caught only says so on the label. Is there a diffence?
I personally eat Kelley-Clarke Wild Alaskan Canned Pink Salmon (linked here: http://www.icicleseafoods.com/locations/kcs/blacktop/ni_pink.asp
Does anyone have any experience with this brand? The site says wild caught and practically devoid of mercury/other contaminants due to the fish’s short life. I have it every day as part of my big salad and would like to know others thoughts.
Farmed salmon also spread disease to the wild salmon who are trying to survive. Farmed salmon contribute to the decrease in wild salmon.
[…] for all manner of fishy diseases which can then spread to the wild population. Wild fish also happen to be better for […]
[…] for all manner of fishy diseases which can then spread to the wild population. Wild fish also happen to be better for […]
[…] Salmon: Factory Farm vs. Wild […]
[…] pieces of common knowledge, this fish business has some basis in reality. As we all know, seafood – especially the farmed variety – can be pretty susceptible to mercury absorption. Mercury is absorbed through the gills and by […]
[…] Salmon: Factory Farm vs. Wild – Sep. 12 […]
Totally agree with this article. Farmed salmon will kill a person. Would like to post this article to our website if that is ok? Please let me know – thanks!
I personally eat Kelley-Clarke Wild Alaskan Canned Pink Salmon (linked here: http://www.icicleseafoods.com/locations/kcs/blacktop/ni_pink.asp
Does anyone have any experience with this brand? The site says wild caught and practically devoid of mercury/other contaminants due to the fish’s short life. I have it every day as part of my big salad and would like to know others thoughts.
[…] video, for instance). I’ve locked down several choice goodies like kettlebells, clubbells, and fresh caught Alaskan salmon, but I still have some spots open for additional […]
You drink soy milk for omega 3’s???
Lawl.
Just a side note – nobody ever recommends “excessive” anything, and this site particular recommends informed and smart amounts of ANY food. Also, your hair does not turn color at all. Hair is dead. If you noticed a change in hair color, either 1) you lost the hair of one color and it was replaced with new hair of another color or 2) someone changed your hair color in your sleep. Diet does affect hair color, but your hairs do not change color. Sorry. Pet peeve.
I think if you are honest with yourself you will come to the conclusion that your health issues were the result of too many carbs, not eating seafood. How do I know? I had exactly the same experience as you, with the exact same health issues, that have all been resolved by getting off all the carbs.
And soy milk (or ANY non-fermented soy product for that matter) is the exact OPPOSITE of healthy.
Bill, always a naysayer somewhere. Actually, that sounds like a bunch of bunk to me
[…] The most sustainable and flavorful seafood choices for ceviche are Ahi tuna from the U.S. Atlantic, salmon (Coho, Sockeye or King), Yellowtail snapper, Pacific halibut, bay scallops, spot prawns or cocktail […]
Hi – Can you please tell me how I can differentiate between wild and farmed salmon ONCE IT IS COOKED AND ON MY PLATE. I need to know for sure so as not to have to depend on the waitress to tell me. Thanks so much !! Suzi
LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO FOLD YOUR UNDERWEAR
The only wild salmon that restaurants serve is Sockeye. Everything else will be farmed. Here’s a good way to know: Sockeye, Pink and Chum salmon are NOT farmed as of 2012. These 3 salmon species are plankton eaters and almost impossible to farm. Restaurants that serve pure wild are proud and will tell you, if they don’t know its farmed.
[…] for all manner of fishy diseases which can then spread to the wild population. Wild fish also happen to be better for […]
doin a project on farmed salmon need some info
http://raincoastresearch.org/salmon-farming.htm
Go for Frozen Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon fillets. You can’t beat it.
hey mark need some help with my project its about farmed salmon and the effects on wild salmon and the pros and cons aboit sea farms
[…] meats (preferably grass-fed), poultry (preferably pastured), fresh fish & seafood (preferably wild), eggs (preferably pastured or at least omega-3 fortified), vegetables, fresh fruit (& limited […]
how about certified organic farmed salmon? at least here in europe we have some strict standards that guarantee higher quality and less pollution compared to normal farmed salmon. have a look: http://www.organicconsumers.org/Toxic/organic-salmon.cfm
this article says that this canthaxathine dye is prohibited in EU, where it is clearly not:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scan/out81_en.pdf
Not sure where/how to get great wild Alaskan salmon? Go online to http://www.SEABEEF.com – always the best – always a premium grade wild Alaskan salmon!
[…] meats (preferably grass-fed), poultry (preferably pastured), fresh fish & seafood (preferably wild), eggs (preferably pastured or at least omega-3 fortified), vegetables, fresh fruit (& limited […]
[…] meats (preferably grass-fed), poultry (preferably pastured), fresh fish & seafood (preferably wild), eggs (preferably pastured or at least omega-3 fortified), vegetables, fresh fruit (& limited […]
It appears that I can only consume wild and perhaps the semi-wild salmon. I thought I was allergic to salmon for years, but suspected that it was the dye in farm raised.
I have since eating a slowly increasing quantity of wild smoked salmon with no ill effect. But, the violence of my bodies previous disagreement prevents me from testing this hypothesis with a farm raised salmon steak.
I’d rather not have my stomach that angry ever again! Any body else have anything like this?
Why even consider farmed salmon. Wild may cost a little more but it is far superior.
The dyes used in salmon are canthaxanthin and astaxanthin – both naturally occurring colours. If you are eating wild salmon that is pink then it has been coloured by these compounds in its natural environment, from shrimp and krill.