AquaSeed Corp's salmon farming method gets green status

A new method for farming Pacific coho salmon in freshwater tanks, employed exclusively by AquaSeed Corp., has earned the Seafood Watch ''Super-Green'' Status from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's programme.

The approval follows several months of site visits by Seafood Watch scientists and reviews of the AquaSeed's production facility, feed ratios, fish contaminant and pollution discharge levels.

Until now farm-raised salmon has been tagged as an unsustainable aquaculture practice by environmentalist because of pollution, escape and inefficiency issues.

The Seafood Watch ''Super Green'' list denotes seafood in the ''Best Choice'' category that is not only good for the environment, but better for people due to low levels of contaminants and high levels of omega-3s fatty acids.

The status meant that salmon produced by AquaSeed's method are environmentally-friendly and healthy, according to AquaSeed President Per Heggelund, adding that it took the company four years to meet the rigorous standards of the Seafood Watch scientists.

Heggelund said by the end of the year, AquaSeed hopes to launch a new company that is wholly devoted to widespread production and distribution of freshwater Pacific Coho salmon using the now-recognised system.

The new company's long term vision is to locate production facilities with a Clean-Tech system based on water conservation technologies near major urban markets that, for the first time, will produce sustainable salmon both local and fresh, all year round.

Seafood Watch recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use ecosystem-based criteria. Seafood Watch have about 200 partners across North America, including the two largest food service companies in the US.