To hear some folks tell it, farmed salmon is full of pesticides, dyed with artificial colours and not as nutritional as their wild cousins.
When it comes to debunking myths and learning the true facts about farmed salmon the place to go now is the just launched, BCSalmonFacts.ca.
Salmon farmers have worked very hard to address concerns raised about salmon farming and have been successful in doing so, but despite this, many myths remain.
That’s why our members have launched BCSalmonFacts.ca, a new website where we will separate myths from fact and set the record straight. In addition to the new website, members of the BC Salmon Farmers Association are also launching a television (youtube.com/bcsalmonfacts) and print media (http://xn.tribalddb.ca/bin/tribal/BCSF_SalmonPrint.pdf) advertising campaign urging viewers and readers not to believe everything they hear about farmed salmon without first checking the facts.
“At BCSalmonFacts.ca people will be able to separate fact from fiction,” says Clare Backman, Director of Environmental Compliance and Community Relations at Marine Harvest Canada, a member of the BCSFA. “It’s about time the real story was told.”
There are video clips and forums on the site with links to articles of interest. On the forums people can post questions and get straight answers. There is also a Facebook page (facebook.com/bcsalmonfacts) and a Twitter feed (twitter.com/bcsalmonfacts).
At BCSalmonFacts.ca, for example, visitors will learn farmed salmon have not displaced wild salmon in rivers, they have the same nutritional value as wild salmon and they are governed by the strictest and highest standards anywhere in the world. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
Both wild and farmed salmon are also low in saturated fat and an excellent source of protein. Indeed, Health Canada and the American Heart Association recommend eating oily fish (such as salmon) at least twice a week.
Even better, farmed salmon is available year around, not just in season. It’s important to note that without sustainable aquaculture there would be a seafood shortage world wide.
BC SalmonFacts.ca is an initiative of five major salmon farming companies and feed suppliers: Marine Harvest Canada, Mainstream Canada, Grieg Seafood, Ewos and Skretting, all members of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. The BCSFA is the voice of British Columbia’s environmentally sustainable farmed salmon industry.
Farmed salmon is the province’s largest agricultural export and is recognized around the world as a naturally healthy and environmentally responsible product.
Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director BC Salmon Farmers