Seattlest: Hype and Salmon

Tom

Thu, 26 May 2005 14:00:29 -0800

You neglected to mention a very important factor in fish quality- length and duration of the spawning location. Most salmon are targeted as they begin their run up the river, simply because they are concentrated and easier to catch. Salmon quickly lose their food value when they begin sexual maturity. Short rivers, particularly those favored by chums and pinks, often find the fish already mature before they even enter the river. The longer the river, the fresher the fish must be to withstand the extra journey. Because salmon do not eat when they enter fresh water, they need to pack on enough fat and oil to withstand the journey. The Copper River is worth the extra dough for many reasons. Many of the fish species located in the Copper migrate hundreds of miles in a HUGE (been there) river, and are some of the freshest and highest quality fish located in any river mouth in the world. The close location to Cordova, AK being served by Alaska Air ensures those fish are delivered fresh. It is true poorly cared for fish are not worth extra dough- that is why you must trust your merchant to ensure it has been properly handled. It's the difference between say Pike Place Market and Albertson's... This is also why the mighty Yukon river was quickly targeted. Some of the fish migrate 2,000 miles!! before they spawn. King Salmon from the Yukon are fantastic. Of course it goes without saying that all fish from the Copper and Yukon are wild, and are not hatchery fish like many found in the NW. Copper River is not just hype.

Jonathan

Thu, 26 May 2005 10:39:19 -0800

Here is the link about organic aquaculture. Also - forgot to say - great article, Kate!

Jonathan

Thu, 26 May 2005 10:36:34 -0800

Eric is right, buy wild Salmon. Fish farming has taken a serious toll on the inland waters of BC. However there has been a lot of development over the years to create an "organic aquaculture" method. A good rule of thumb for us here in the Northwest is to avoid buying Atlantic Salmon, which has been the choice species of fish farmers to-date.

Eric Berg

Wed, 25 May 2005 19:43:20 -0800

The most important thing to know about buying salmon is to avoid salmon raised in an "aqua farm". Just 'cos it's fresh doesn't mean it's good for you or for the environment.

megwoo

Wed, 25 May 2005 14:45:58 -0800

Great article Kate!

Dan

Wed, 25 May 2005 13:53:25 -0800

Screw that. Keep your worms on your coast bostonist. I think you're underrating oil content as a measurement of good salmon. I'm all for nutty tastes, but the real benefit is the Omega-3 that the oil contains. I hear that Omega-3 crap is pretty good for you.

Editor DFPS

Wed, 25 May 2005 12:03:08 -0800

ugh..

Josh

Wed, 25 May 2005 11:52:17 -0800

But it is safe to eat salmon with big worms in it, as I recently learned: http://www.bostonist.com/archives/2005/05/25/whole_foods_1_bostonist_0.php

Kate

Wed, 25 May 2005 10:13:57 -0800

D'oh.. good...ahem...catch. No no... Typical environmental issues should by all means be taken into account. My point here is that out of all of the wild salmon being sold, Copper River can't justify why they are better, when there are other areas in the Pac NW which spawn equally tasty fish. Equally tasty, non mercury infested, fish.

Editor DFPS

Wed, 25 May 2005 10:01:30 -0800

So is it safe to eat river fish due to the increased mercury levels thanks to pro-polluter gutting of environmental laws? I mean I love salmon but I don't want mercury posioning.