Wild salmon vs Farmed salmon

Most of the salmon we eat today comes from aquaculture. Still, salmon farming has remained a controversial topic due to common misconceptions about the differences between wild salmon and farmed salmon.

The main difference between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon is their environment and diet – wild salmon come from natural oceans and eat items found in the marine ecosystem, while farm-raised salmon are grown in controlled settings and fed a scientifically managed diet – neither of which impacts their nutritional profile.

Colour

It’s a common misconception that the colour of farmed salmon is achieved through dyeing. However, whether farmed or wild, salmon get their colour from their diet and a natural pigment found in their feed. The supplements within our feed include carotenoids, which salmon naturally eat in the wild. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that help boost a salmon’s immune system, and also produce vibrant colours in many plants and animals, like flamingos and salmon. 

Health benefits

Farmed salmon has just as much nutritional value as its wild counterpart. A lot of science and innovation has gone into perfecting the diets and living conditions of farmed salmon to make sure they as closely replicate their wild counterparts. Farmed salmon diets are also carefully formulated to replicate the nutrients found in a wild salmon’s diet. While some may have personal preferences that can influence their impression of farmed and wild salmon, their nutritional profiles are nearly identical.

Both wild and farmed salmon are excellent sources of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other vital nutrients. Some even argue that farmed salmon is healthier than wild salmon because you can control its inputs. Where a wild salmon swims throughout the ocean and eats other wild fish and potentially other items that might be in the marine ecosystem, farmed salmon are fed a scientifically managed diet, in which everything the fish ingests can be accounted for.

Ocean Resources

Farmed salmon actually eat less fish than wild salmon. Mowi uses 0.56 kg of sustainably sourced wild fish, like anchovies and sardines, to produce 1 kg of farm-raised salmon. This is called the Fish In, Fish Out (FIFO) ratio. We are working hard to source alternative, healthy ingredients for our fish feed so that we don’t affect scarce marine resources.

Environmental impact

Both wild salmon and farmed salmon can be sustainable. Some people assume that salmon farming is unsustainable and has adverse impacts on the marine environment. However, Mowi’s sustainable salmon farming practices prioritise minimising environmental impact. Efforts include controlling waste, managing water quality, and implementing responsible feed practices. Our farms adhere to stringent sustainability certifications to ensure they operate in an environmentally friendly manner. The seabed below our sites is regularly and widely monitored to ensure that there is plenty of life present to start regeneration. By farming within the environment’s capacity, we know that we are leaving no permanent impact.

When it comes to the wild salmon vs farmed salmon debate, neither type is inherently better than the other. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and both are nutritious and delicious options that can support our overall health. However, there are more obvious environmental benefits to choosing farm-raised salmon that help meet the growing demand for seafood and protect the remaining wild populations.