Salmon Farms Declining

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http://mercola.com/2004/jan/3/salmon_farms.htm

 

 

Salmon Farms Declining

 

 

In 2002, salmon farms produced 1.4 million metric tons of salmon, 60 percent of

the world supply. With 530,000 metric tons, Norway was in the lead, followed by

Chile, United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Japan.

In the 1990s, Chile’s rapid expansion of salmon farms was blamed for driving

down the prices of salmon. This led to many other salmon farms losing a great

deal of money. However, this did not stop the industry from growing. Many

countries were in competition and this led to many environmental problems such

as waste, disease, contaminated fish and most recently the finding of lice on

the tail of farm-raised salmon.

 

In 2003, consumers and environmental groups are taking action by holding

demonstrations in front of grocery stores urging people not to buy farm-raised

salmon, saying they are tainted by chemicals and antibiotics and are full of

dyes.

 

To resolve this, the industry will begin establishing criteria for independent

certification in spring 2004.

 

Seattle Times December 15, 2003

 

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Many people will choose to eat store-bought fish or fish at a restaurant because

they believe it is one of the healthier choices, but the sad reality is

technology has transformed fish into an unhealthy choice. Traditionally caught

fish are a problem due to the mercury and PCBs they receive from polluted

waters. Farm-raised fish, which are often raised in the same water, have the

same issues with PCBs and mercury.

 

Although I don’t advocate eating fish unless it has been tested and found to be

free of mercury and other toxins, the best type of omega-3 fats are those found

in fish. This omega-3 is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA

and EPA, which are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other

diseases. Early last year we did extensive testing on fish from a company, Vital

Choice, and were delighted to find that the mercury levels were virtually

undetectable.

 

If you enjoy the delicious taste and immense health benefits of some of the

world's finest salmon--Alaskan wild red--but you are concerned about the PCBs,

mercury and other toxins now found in dangerous amounts in almost all fish, then

please consider trying the Alaskan wild red salmon from Vital Choice that tested

safe and is now available in our Web site store.

 

Additionally, routine consumption of fish oil, rich in EPA and DHA, is highly

encouraged as it is in pure form and does not pose the mercury risk of fresh

fish. It is important to obtain a high-quality oil to ensure that it is pure. I

have tried various brands, but the one brand my patients and I have experienced

outstanding success with, and that I recommend highly, is Carlson’s fish oil and

cod liver oil, which is now available in my " Recommended Products " section. You

may also be able to find it at your local health food store. Carlson's is

regularly tested by an independent FDA registered laboratory and is of high

potency and purity.

 

Related Articles:

 

What You Must Know Before You Eat Fish

 

Do You Know the Facts About Mercury in Fish?

 

Dangerous PCBs Found in Salmon

 

Toxicology: How Mercury Harms Humans

 

Mercury-Contaminated Fish Poses Health Risks to Adults

 

Why You Should Be Concerned About Eating Salmon

 

 

 

 

 

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