The Demise of a Species?
The salmon industry is reeling. But it's not in the sense of lures, lines or hooks.
Scientists and biologists have long been reporting that wild salmon populations are declining at an alarming rate. But perhaps more recently, the cry for attention has become more urgent. Blame it on over fishing, pollution or salmon farms, but if you happen to love salmon the way I do, you owe it to yourself to take note. And fast.
CNN reports that the disappearance of wild salmon populations on the west coast may call for a total fishing ban along these areas. In the fishing world, this is unheard of. Angling for salmon is severely limited for a host of reasons- but according to the astonishing numbers, the move to shut down fishing in parts of Oregon and California would be historical.
On a personal note, I find this horribly depressing. Not just because I have had the wonderful fortune of fishing for these stunning creatures in one of their more pristine habitats, but because this is about the survival of a species and the understated disregard for its natural territory.
On a local note, be aware that most restaurants that serve salmon in Little Rock utilize farm-raised products. Trust me, I've asked. And you should, too.
Confine the space in which a living thing is supposed to thrive, jam in thousands more of its relatives and it's easy to imagine the negative impact of fish pens. It's like trying to stall biological evolution at will.
At the rate wild populations are trending, stalling the decline of salmon would be something to hope for. Time will tell.
Comments
While there is no doubt that Wild Salmon is better for us for a wide variety of reasons, the farmed Salmon is what makes it on to most plates in Restaurants. This occurs primraily due to the fact that farmed Salmon costs less per serving than the Wild Salmon does. It has been our expereince that the majority consumer's do not know (or care) that Wild Salmon is better for you, tastes better, or is better from an environmental standpoint. Instead what the consumer notices is that the Wild Salmon is more expensive than the farem raised Salmon. In the end it is Money the rules the day.
Posted by: Wellwood![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 9, 2008 09:26 AM
Right on the money, Wellwood. Sad but true that "in the end, money rules the day." It always has and will rule the day.
And thrilled to hear that someone else appreciates that the "majority of consumer's do not know (or care) that Wild Salmon is better for you, tastes better, or is better from an environmental standpoint."
Posted by: JenJens![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 9, 2008 11:59 AM
While other factors may have contributed to the decline in wild salmon, silt accumulation in streams due to over-logging and clear cutting in the Pacific Northwest has been blamed for interruptions in the fishes migratory/reproductive cycle. Once again, the unintended consequences of poor land stewardship by timber companies (with full cooperation of the US Dept of Interior) wreaks havoc on the fragile ecology of the lands they purport to "manage."
Posted by: Amanita![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 9, 2008 12:02 PM
Consumer Reports recently printed a list of fish you "should" and "should not" order at restaurants, based on sustainable harvest methods. It was really interesting. And at the top of the list for "eco-friendly" fish? Locally farmed catfish. Of course, flavor and healthiness were factored in separately in the ratings.
Oh, and I have some photos and reports from new restaurants in the Cabot area, if you'd like--I usually email them to Max, but since he's traveling and blog activity looks low, just shoot me an email at ninjapoodlesATgmailDOTcom if you'd like to use them.
Posted by: Belinda![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 10, 2008 02:43 PM
Max is up on his food reviews, isn't he? No worries, he'll return soon.
Posted by: Kat Robinson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 10, 2008 07:52 PM
One thing we can all do to protect and preserve the salmon, wild or otherwise, is to order a t-bone, medium rare. Fish is best left to soccer moms.
Posted by: Casimer Pulaski![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 12, 2008 08:50 AM