The perils of farmed salmon

wormfree · Veteran Member

The perils of farmed salmon

hawkeye · Member

Salmon farming corporations often cite the low genetic risk of escapees. Today, Norwegian researchers published a study finding strong historical genetic changes to wild populations exposed to farmed populations. Most troublesome is that the amount of genetic exchange was not directly related to the number of escapees. Bottom line: not a great idea to farm fish that are native or closely related to native fish in local waters. Assuming, of course, you appreciate the native fish.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/14/74/abstract

These folks probably aren't happy:

http://www.salmonfromnorway.com/

Full disclaimer: I think farmed fish are a great idea, where appropriate and when done correctly. For instance, sterile arctic char in closed farms disconnected from local waters. Pens of farmed, fertile salmon at the mouths of some of the best remaining Atlantic salmon rivers, not so much.

hawkeye · Member

No worries, thanks!

Bob Loblaw · Senior Member

There ought to be a way to sterilize farmed fish...a UV light passed over the eggs might work. It would of course add to the cost, but a small price to pay.