Wild salmon is not the same as farmed salmon. But how does wild salmon differ from the salmon that is sold on average? And what is Atlantic salmon again? The jumble of names is explained here. Most salmon sold in the Netherlands is farmed salmon or Atlantic salmon. Those who do not want to eat farmed salmon or occasionally also wild salmon can buy the Pacific salmon. This salmon is caught in the wild. But what exactly is wild Pacific salmon?
Wild Pacific salmon
Wild Pacific salmon is caught in the wild. The salmon is born and grows in rivers of:
- The West Coast of North America
- Canada
- Alaska
A total of 5 different types of Pacific salmon
The wild salmon that is commercially fished consists of 5 different species. The most sold wild salmon at most wholesalers in the Netherlands is the red-fleshed Sockeye salmon. This salmon grows in the clean waters of the Pacific Ocean. The taste of this wild salmon comes from the fish feeding on shrimps, crustaceans and other small marine animals. Because this wild salmon species mainly eats shellfish and lives in the icy and clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, beautiful and red fish meat is created. Moreover, this has a fine structure. The taste is shrimpy and spicy, unlike that of farmed salmon where the fish are mainly fed fish food.
The five types of wild Alaska salmon
The five types of wild Alaska salmon are:
- Sockeye
- King of Chonook
- Coho
- Chum
- little finger
Wild salmon is anadromous and only mates once in a fish life
Wild salmon grows in the ocean, but reproduces in the rivers. This is also called anadromous. Incidentally, a salmon only mates once in its life and can therefore only produce offspring once.
When will wild salmon be available?
Because fishing in Alaska is strictly regulated, the availability of wild salmon is limited.
- King ?? mid-May to mid-September and from mid-October to mid-April
- Sockeye ?? mid-May to mid-September
- Coho ?? July to the end of September
- Chum ?? from June to October
- Little finger ?? only in July and August
Wild salmon is less fat than farmed salmon
Because the wild salmon leads a completely different life, the salmon is also less fat than the farmed species.
When is wild salmon caught?
In order to maintain salmon stocks, the wild salmon sold in the Netherlands is obtained from parties that fish sustainably. This means that fishing is only done in the period from June to September off the coasts of Alaska. The fish then returns to the rivers to reproduce there. The wild salmon is then well fed, because the fish then prepare for their trip to the rivers. A trip that leads upstream by the way.
Alaskan fishermen are under tight control and are sometimes only allowed to fish in any area for a few hours in a year
Alaska’s fishermen take great care of the reproduction and stock of wild salmon. In addition, they are only allowed to fish in areas designated by the government and are strictly controlled. In some areas, wild salmon may only be fished for a few hours a year. Only in this way can it be guaranteed that there will be enough wild salmon left to reproduce.
Wild salmon fishing method: line fishing
Furthermore, fishing is done in a way that does not catch other members of the same species. That is why wild salmon is caught with lines.
Wild salmon is very healthy and contains a lot of Omega3 fatty acids
Wild salmon contains many Omega3 fatty acids that are good for the cardiovascular system. Omega3 fatty acids also lower cholesterol.