Organic salmon has become an increasingly popular seafood choice for many consumers. But what exactly does “organic” mean when it comes to salmon? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a detailed look at how organic salmon is farmed, its nutritional benefits, and what sets it apart from conventional farmed salmon.
Overview of Organic Salmon
Organic salmon refers to salmon that has been raised according to organic aquaculture standards. These standards emphasize sustainable practices and raising salmon in a natural environment as much as possible. The “organic” label ensures the salmon were:
- Raised without antibiotics, added hormones, or other drugs
- Fed a 100% organic, vegetarian diet free of any artificial additives
- Farmed in open net pens in the ocean to allow natural behaviors
- Produced in systems with lower densities to limit stress
- Monitored and treated naturally to control sea lice and disease
- Raised in waters that are regularly tested for quality and purity
Key Differences Between Organic vs Regular Farmed Salmon
There are some major differences between conventionally farmed salmon and organically farmed salmon:
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No Antibiotics or Hormones Organic standards prohibit the use of antibiotics, steroids, or artificial growth promoters Regular salmon farms often use these drugs
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Organic Diet: Organic salmon eat a 100% organic, vegetarian diet. Regular farmed salmon eat processed fish feed containing fishmeal and oils.
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Lower Density Organic pens contain fewer fish to reduce crowding stress Regular farms operate at higher densities,
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Health Management: Organic farmers use more natural prevention and treatment methods. Regular farms administer medications proactively.
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Contaminant Testing Organic sites must test water frequently for contaminants No mandated testing for regular salmon farms
How Organic Salmon is Raised and Farmed
Organic salmon farming must adhere to strict protocols set by organic certifying bodies. Here is an overview of some of the key requirements:
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Open Ocean Pens: Organic salmon spend their full lifecycle in large, netted pens in ocean areas with constant water flow. This closely replicates their natural ocean habitat.
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Organic Feed: Organic salmon are fed a vegetarian diet containing organic soy, corn, grains, fish oils, and meal from sustainably caught fish. No artificial additives, GMOs, antibiotics, or hormones can be used.
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Low Density: Organic pens contain around 10 kg of fish per cubic meter of water, which is approximately 90% less dense than regular farms. This promotes natural behaviors.
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Vaccines Allowed: Organic standards permit the use of vaccines to prevent diseases. But no routine, preventative medications can be used without an active disease outbreak.
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Parasite Control: Farmers use cleaner fish, freshwater treatments, and other natural methods to control sea lice. Pesticides are prohibited.
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Fallowing Periods: Organic sites are left fallow after each production cycle to allow the surrounding environment to recover fully.
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Sustainable Harvesting: Organic salmon are harvested at 18-22 months using approved humane stunning techniques. Regular salmon are often harvested at 12-14 months.
Overall, these protocols aim to produce salmon in the most sustainable, ethical, and natural way possible while protecting the health of the salmon, consumers, and environment.
Nutritional Benefits of Eating Organic Salmon
In addition to being raised sustainably, organic salmon provides tremendous nutritional benefits:
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High in Omega-3s: Organic salmon contain approximately 1300-2000 mg of anti-inflammatory omega-3s EPA and DHA per 3.5-4 oz serving.
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Excellent Protein Source: A serving of organic salmon delivers about 22 grams of complete, low-calorie protein.
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Low Mercury: Since organic salmon are young when harvested, mercury levels are very low compared to larger, older wild salmon.
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No Chemical Residues: With no use of pesticides, antibiotics, or GMOs, organic salmon don’t contain dangerous chemical residues.
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Environmentally Friendly: Organic salmon farming has a lower environmental impact compared to intensive conventional practices.
Is Organic Salmon Worth the Price Premium?
Organic salmon typically costs $2-5 more per pound compared to conventional farmed salmon. Here are some of the top reasons why it’s worth paying more:
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Avoids the antibiotics, hormones, contaminants, and toxins often found in regular farmed salmon.
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More nutritious and lower in mercury than conventional salmon.
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Superior flavor and texture since the salmon grow and mature slower.
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Aligns with ethical values around animal welfare, sustainability, and responsible farming.
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Supports farming practices that are better for the environment.
Considering the benefits, many consumers find paying a little extra for organic salmon worthwhile. And as demand increases, prices are likely to become more competitive with conventional salmon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Salmon
Can wild salmon be organic?
No, only farmed salmon can be certified organic since there is no control over the diet and environment of wild salmon.
Does organic salmon taste better?
Many people think organic salmon has better flavor and texture since the fish grow and mature more slowly. The high omega-3 content also enhances the taste.
Is organic salmon safe to eat raw?
Organic salmon raised under sanitary regulations is considered safe for raw or undercooked consumption. It’s recommended those with weakened immune systems cook fish thoroughly.
Are organic salmon GMO-free?
Yes, certified organic standards prohibit the use of any genetically modified organisms, so organic salmon will always be non-GMO.
Can salmon farms be both organic and sustainable?
With strict protocols around feed, pens, density, health management, and environmental impact, salmon farms can potentially be both organic and sustainable. But not all are, so credible organic certification is essential.
The Bottom Line on Organic Salmon
When you choose organic salmon, you get delicious, nutritious fish raised responsibly without drugs, hormones, or artificial ingredients. Although it costs slightly more, organic salmon is worth it to many consumers for its ethical production methods, lower toxin levels, superior nutrition, and great taste. For those wanting salmon with the least environmental impact, organic farmed salmon is a smart choice.
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What does organic salmon mean?
- Feed: organic salmon are fed with certified organic feed. This feed is composed of organic plant and animal sources, and is produced without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The goal is to provide a diet for the salmon that is as natural as possible, with the highest quality – and purest – ingredients.
- The (limited) use of chemicals: organic salmon farming restricts the use of synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides. If antibiotics must be used, they are typically employed in a more limited manner compared to conventional farming, and their use must comply with organic standards.
- Farming practices: organic salmon farming adheres to specific environmentally friendly standards, including the density of fish in pens, the water quality, and overall impact on the environment. These practices are employed with the intention of minimising the ecological footprint of the salmon farm, and to promote sustainability at every touchpoint.
- A salmon’s natural colour is best: the colour of a salmon’s flesh is achieved through what the salmon eats. In the wild, salmon flesh is pink due to their Atlantic diet of crustaceans and zooplankton. In organic farmed salmon, the colour of the flesh is achieved through the natural pigments present in the fish’s all-natural feed, whereas in non-organic salmon farms, synthetic pigments may be used to enhance the pink colour.
- Certification: in order for a salmon farm to be awarded ‘organic’ status, they must undergo certification by a recognised organic certification body, such as the Soil Association’s Organic Standards for Great Britain Aquaculture.
This certification ensures that the farm complies with specific farming standards, covering aspects such as those detailed above.
There is a lot of misinformation within the discussion of organic versus non-organic salmon; here are five common myths – and the truth behind the myths!
- Myth 1: Organic salmon is always wild-caught: not true! Organic salmon can be both wild-caught or farm-raised. When classifying a salmon as organic, the qualifying variables pertain more to the farming practices, feed, and environment as opposed to the source of the fish.
- Myth 2: Non-organic salmon is full of harmful chemicals: not (always) true. While some non-organic salmon farms may use chemicals in their farms, not all of them do. Non-organic farms can still adopt responsible practices and adhere to strict regulations regarding their use of chemicals, so it is not accurate to assume that all of these salmon farms – and subsequently their salmon – are full of harmful chemicals.
- Myth 3: All non-organic salmon is genetically modified: genetically modified salmon is available on the market, but not all non-organic farms operate to this standard. In short, non-organic does not automatically equal genetically modified. Make sure you check product labels and certifications to be sure you know the origin, and type of salmon [GM or non-GM], being purchased.
- Myth 4: Organic salmon is always free from any use of antibiotics: organic salmon farms can – and sometimes still do – use antibiotics on their salmon, just in a more restricted manner when compared to non-organic farms. The use of antibiotics is not entirely eliminated in organic salmon farming, so research into in the specific salmon farm – the source of your salmon product – is the only way to ascertain whether any farm uses antibiotics or not.
- Myth 5: Organic salmon is always a more sustainable choice: while organic salmon often follows more environmentally friendly practices, the overall sustainability quality and value is dependant on a broad set of factors, including but not limited to the specific farming methods employed. Non-organic farms can choose to implement more sustainable practices, so be wary of assuming that organic automatically means a more sustainable choice…
As all the above points make clear, it is important for salmon consumers to make a considered and conscious choice when selecting who to purchase their salmon products from.
Organic status does not ensure that all best practices are being observed, and likewise, some non-organic salmon farms can be regarded as on a par with their organic counterpart – providing there is assurance as to the ethical guidelines and farming methodologies employed.
So make sure you do your homework. Knowledge is power, after all!
At Smokin’ Brothers we only source our salmon from the most sustainable and ethical farms available, modelling our brand ethos of quality and sustainability at every stage of the supply chain. By consuming our smoked salmon, you can be assured of transparency and best practice at all times.