In August of 2001, the Popular Science journal carried an article claiming that farmed raised fish was safer (p.34). This is certainly a controversial topic that seems to be quite heated, especially as we see the growing number of studies done that support the benefits that occur from including omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. What is safer about these industrialised aquacultures?
First, research found that fish raised at southern aquaculture farms carry much lower levels of many pollutants, PCB s, pesticides, heavy metals, mercury, lead, arsenic,and cadmium, than fish caught in the wild. Researchers discovered that mercury levels were 40 to 100 times lower than federal safety standards.
The researchers hypothesize that farm raised fish do not graze on the polluted river bottoms, but rather raised in ponds filled from ground water. But, what about the the growth hormones and genetically modified foods the fish are fed? There is no such answer to these questions in the article.
Farm-raising , specifically of salmon, began in the 1960s in Norway. They were fed pellets to speed their growth twice times faster than those in the wild and pesticides was used in the water to kill lice. Today, this business exceeds $2 billion dollars and over 700,000 fishes are harvested annually.
Farm raising has brought the benefit of decreasing the pressure placed on fishing in the wild, and offers employment in depressed areas.
It does get confusing for the consumer. But, this assertion, do raise some very good ideas and at the same time cautions us as to the type of responsibility we are giving ourselves. Should we opt to raise all our fish food in this way?
For one, many farms are overcrowded and disease filled. Farmed fish may have high doses of antibiotics, colorants, and other artificial chemicals that make them a threat to the environment. Farms also pollute nearby ponds and oceans. Farm fish foul the sea and spread sea lice. This in turn affects wild fishing and creates more danger for wild fish.
But should all farms be given a bad name when there are aqua farms that follow "best practices"? These are the ones we should support, right?
They help make available fish to the general public, especially, salmon, all year round. But the cost of cleaning up the environment is not entirely borne by these large corporations. So they can glut the market with cheaper fish which in turn can be devastating for the small fishermen.
Is it not cheaper and more convenient to become more responsible, control pollution and allow nature to do what it can do, obviously far better than us? i.e Raise fresh naturally grown pesticide free, lice free, antibiotic free ....free fish
Here are some facts you should know:
1. Nearly half of the Fresh salmon in the world are farmed-raised by a few giant multinational aquaculture corporations.
2. Farmed fish are fed antibiotics that enter the environment either through fish faeces or uneaten food. These antibiotic resistant, pathogenic bacteria are transferred to humans, posing a risk to human health.
3. The type of fishes highest in Mercury are: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, tuna, oysters, pike, walleys, white croker, and large mouth bass.
