King salmon from New Zealand has been recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable.
Following a year-long assessment process, a report released on February 16th by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s globally respected consumer guide Seafood Watch® has rated New Zealand’s marine-farmed salmon, as “Green”, meaning it is a “Best Choice” for consumers.
Seafood Watch is produced by the independent conservation organisation Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation and is the authoritative consumer guide on sustainable seafood in North America.
King salmon from New Zealand is the first and only ocean-farmed salmon to have achieved the Green/Best Choice rating from Seafood Watch.
The guide describes New Zealand as a country which is “characterized by strong (aquaculture) management systems and pristine marine and freshwater ecosystems”.
New Zealand King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne says aquaculture makes a major contribution to relieving pressure on the world’s fisheries. “We have been claiming for some time that our industry equals sustainable jobs and healthy, mindful eating and the report supports what Kiwi salmon farmers have long maintained.”
Snapshots from the Seafood Watch report reveal:
- Local environment and stringent national and site biosecurity measures mean New Zealand marine farms score 10 out of 10 for non-use of chemicals
- New Zealand’s policy of releasing non-native King salmon
in to the wild has no impact on “wild” stocks justifying a 10 out of 10 for no impact - Because all NZKS salmon
are sourced from farm-owned hatcheries they have no impact on wild stocks and so score 10 out of 10 - Overall the final recommendations for farmed King salmon in New Zealand
is ‘Green’ or ‘Best Choice’
Further to this accreditation, New Zealand King salmon has been rated ‘Recommended’ by Ocean Wise. Ocean Wise is a Vancouver Aquarium conservation programme aimed at educating and empowering consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.
These ratings are a strong endorsement of New Zealand King salmon’s sustainability credentials.