Coho salmon, also known as silver salmon, has become an increasingly popular fish choice among seafood lovers in recent years. However, when purchasing coho salmon you may find yourself wondering – is the coho I’m buying farmed or wild-caught? There are some important differences between farmed and wild coho salmon that are worth understanding.
An Overview of Farm-Raised Coho Salmon
Yes, a significant portion of the coho salmon sold today is farm-raised. Coho salmon farming first began in the 1970s in Norway, Chile, Japan and Washington state. Now the main producers of farmed coho are Chile, Japan, Norway, Canada and parts of the United States.
Farm-raised coho salmon begin their life cycle in freshwater hatcheries, hatched from eggs obtained from wild coho populations After hatching, the young salmon are transferred into ocean net pens or enclosures along the coastline Here the salmon are fattened up on pelleted feed until they reach market size for harvest.
Farmed coho is available fresh year-round unlike wild coho which is only available seasonally when the fish make their annual spawning migrations. The consistent supply from fish farming operations has helped lower costs and make farmed coho more affordable and accessible to consumers.
The Pros of Farm-Raised Coho Salmon
There are some potential advantages that make farmed coho an appealing choice in some situations:
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Year-round availability: Farms can harvest salmon year-round, while wild salmon is limited by annual seasonal runs. This consistent supply helps meet consumer demand.
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Lower contaminant levels: Salmon raised in farms are not exposed to some of the pollutants and contaminants that wild fish can be. However, the feed used in fish farms can still introduce contaminants.
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Increased accessibility and affordability: A steady supply of farmed coho has made it more affordable and available to a wider range of consumers. Fish farming has dramatically increased per capita salmon consumption globally.
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Reduced pressure on wild stocks: Having a farmed alternative can reduce dependence on wild fisheries and benefit the sustainability of wild salmon populations when properly managed.
The Cons of Farm-Raised Coho Salmon
However, there are some potential downsides of farmed coho to consider as well:
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Lower omega-3 content: Farmed salmon contain lower amounts of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to wild salmon. These healthy fats are a big reason for salmon’s touted health benefits.
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Use of antibiotics and pesticides: Large numbers of fish confined in enclosures necessitates the use of drugs and chemicals to control disease and parasites. Small amounts can accumulate in the salmon.
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Pollution and waste concerns: The high density of salmon farming generates significant waste that can pollute surrounding waters if not properly managed. Excess feed, fish waste and runoff can harm local marine ecosystems.
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Risk of escaped fish: Farmed salmon that escape from damaged nets and pens can interbreed with wild stocks and alter the genetics of local populations.
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Sustainability concerns: While salmon farming reduces pressure on wild fish, there are still sustainability concerns around feed, fish health, pollution, and other factors. Responsible practices are key.
Comparing Wild vs. Farmed Coho Salmon
So how exactly does wild and farmed coho salmon differ? Here’s a helpful breakdown:
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Appearance: Wild coho have more natural variations and imperfections. They are gray-blue on top and silver on the sides. Farmed coho appear uniformly silver-gray without camouflage colors.
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Fat content: Wild coho have 5-15% fat content with seasonal/regional variation. This gives them a rich flavor. Farmed coho are leaner with just 5-8% fat content.
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Omega-3 levels: Wild salmon contain 1.5-5 g of omega-3 per 100 g portion. Farmed salmon have 0.5-1.5 g per 100 g.
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Availability: Wild coho is seasonal during summer/fall spawning runs. Farmed coho is sold fresh year-round.
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Price: Wild coho is more expensive, from $15-$30+ per pound. Farmed costs $8-$15 per pound.
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Sustainability: Wild Alaskan and West Coast coho fisheries are well-managed with healthy stocks. Look for responsibly farmed coho.
Finding Sustainable Coho Salmon
For a sustainable choice, look for farmed coho produced with responsible practices that reduce environmental impacts. Farms certified by organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council generally have stronger sustainability standards.
For wild coho, choose salmon from well-managed fisheries like those in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. Keep in mind wild coho availability is limited to mid-summer through late fall. Canned and frozen salmon allow enjoyment of wild coho year-round.
With a better understanding of the differences between wild and farmed coho salmon, you can make informed choices fitting your priorities around nutrition, sustainability, cost and seasonal availability. Both farmed and wild coho can be sensible options when sourced responsibly.
Fishing Status Not subject to overfishing.
Coho salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
U.S. wild-caught coho salmon is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
NOAA Fisheries works in cooperation with federal, state, tribal, and Canadian officials to manage these commercial, recreational, and tribal harvest of salmon and steelhead in ocean and inland waters of the West Coast and Alaska. To learn more about management of these fisheries, visit our West Coast and Alaska fisheries management pages.
Some evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of coho salmon are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Learn more about protected coho salmon.
- Commonly called silver salmon, coho have dark metallic blue or greenish backs with silver sides and a light belly.
- While they are in the ocean, they have small black spots on their back and on the upper lobe of the tail.
- The gumline in the lower jaw has lighter pigment than on Chinook salmon.
- In fresh water, spawning coho are dark with reddish-maroon coloration on the sides.
- Spawning males develop a strongly hooked snout and large teeth.
- Before juvenile coho migrate to the sea, they lose their parr marks (a pattern of vertical bars and spots useful for camouflage) and gain the dark back and light belly coloration of coho living in the ocean.
- Coho salmon are anadromous—they hatch in freshwater streams and spend a year in streams and rivers then migrate out to the saltwater environment of the ocean to feed and grow.
- Some stocks of coho salmon migrate more than 1,000 miles in the ocean, while other stocks remain in marine areas close to the streams where they were born.
- They spend about 1½ years feeding in the ocean, then return to their natal streams or rivers to spawn, generally in fall or early winter.
- Adult coho salmon usually weigh 8 to 12 pounds and are 24 to 30 inches long.
- They typically spawn between the ages of 3 and 4.
- Female coho dig out gravel nests (redds) on stream bottoms where they lay their eggs.
- The eggs incubate for 6 to 7 weeks until they hatch.
- All coho salmon die after spawning.
- The newly hatched larvae remain in the gravel until the yolk sac is absorbed.
- While in fresh water, young coho salmon feed on plankton and insects.
- While in the ocean, they switch to a diet of small fishes such as herring, sandlance, anchovies, and sardines.
- Adults are also known to eat juveniles of other salmon species, especially pink and chum salmon, as well as juvenile sablefish.
- Otters, seals, and a variety of fish and birds prey on juvenile coho. Sharks, sea lions, seals, and orcas feed on adult coho.
- After salmon spawn and die, salmon carcasses are a valuable source of energy and nutrients to the river ecosystem. Carcasses have been shown to improve newly hatched salmon growth and survival by contributing nitrogen and phosphorous compounds to streams.
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Actinopterygii | Order | Salmoniformes | Family | Salmonidae | Genus | Oncorhynchus | Species | kisutch |
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Coho Salmon Research in Alaska
Our work to forecast salmon harvests, assess the impact of commercial fisheries on salmon, and evaluate how salmon populations respond to environmental changes enable us to estimate abundance and trends for coho salmon in Alaska.
Joe Rogan Exposes Farm Raised Salmon
FAQ
Is coho salmon wild caught or farmed?
Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Coho salmon are mainly harvested in commercial troll fisheries in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Which is healthier, coho or sockeye salmon?
Sockeye salmon is generally considered slightly more nutritious than coho salmon. Sockeye salmon has a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly astaxanthin, according to the Wild Alaskan Company. It also boasts a higher protein content.
Is farm raised coho salmon healthy to eat?
Salmon is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids that provide well documented benefits for the heart and brain. Wild salmon is a great choice and farmed salmon is a good alternative. Women of childbearing age and young children should continue to eat fish known to be low in contaminants.
How can you tell if salmon is farmed or wild?
Taste and Texture: Farmed salmon has a buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture; while wild salmon is leaner with a bolder flavor.
What is a coho salmon?
The coho salmon is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family and one of the five Pacific salmon species. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or “silvers”. The scientific species name is based on the Russian common name kizhuch .
Is coho salmon farming a viable alternative to wild-caught salmon?
In fact, coho salmon farming has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught salmon. In many cases, coho salmon are raised in carefully controlled, land-based facilities that mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Should coho salmon be grown in land-based facilities?
Farming coho salmon in land-based facilities reduces the strain on wild fish populations and minimizes the environmental impact of traditional salmon farming. It also allows for the use of sustainable aquaculture practices that prioritize the long-term health and productivity of the oceans.