Wild-Caught Salmon and Farmed-Salmon: Why Go for the Wild

Purchasing salmon shouldn’t be difficult. But the options can be overwhelming. You will have to choose between wild-caught and farm-raised or fresh and frozen. But with the information below, you can make informed and healthy options and find the best salmon to purchase. 

Things to Look for When Purchasing Salmon Filets

If you are on the market for salmon filets, ensure you don’t buy those with cracks or breaks in their muscles. These flaws can mean the meat is degrading or has been mishandled. Get filets that are saturated and bright in color. You should be able to notice a contrast between their fat and muscle. Also, the best salmon filets are firm and glossy to the touch. You can check out Papa Earth wild caught salmon for the best cuts. 

Wild-Caught Salmon vs. Farm-Raised Salmon

When you pick between these options, you have to consider each of their pros and cons. Your final choice depends heavily on your preference. 

Wild-caught salmon is fish caught in its natural habitat. Meanwhile, farm-raised salmon is raised in saltwater, lake, or pond pens. Wild salmon eat what they can get from nature such as invertebrates, zooplankton, and small fish. Farmed salmon is fed a diet full of protein and fat, so it can grow faster and bigger than it would normally. As the fish is raised in crowded conditions, it may be susceptible to disease and infections. Because of this, antibiotics may be added to its diet. 

Nutritional Superiority of Wild-Caught Salmon

Wild-caught salmon is a mouthwatering source of protein known for its abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are essential to the body, which cannot produce them naturally. Thus, they must be sourced from the diet. On the other hand, farm-raised salmon has higher concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fats. Omega-6 is bad fat that can result in blood clots and raise blood pressure. In addition, the total fat and calories in wild salmon is lower than its farmed counterparts. 

The Sustainability of Wild Salmon

A lot of people believe that farm-raised salmon has solved the issue of overfishing. However, the majority of these fish feed on oil and meal from small, wild fish, which is not sustainable. Additionally, escaped farm-raised salmon can spread pathogens to the populations of wild salmon, disrupting the ecosystem. This is also not sustainable. Only wild salmon does not deplete natural resources, which means it is sustainable.