In a long BBQ season salmon is so versatile
Courier-Islander, Friday, September 21, 2012, By the BC Salmon Farmers Association
One of the many reasons we are lucky in British Columbia is that the barbecue doesn't have to shut down with the end of summer. We still have months to go grilling outside - and in Campbell River it just makes sense to make some of that barbecue salmon.
And why not? Through wild fisheries and aquaculture, fresh salmon is available year round, and as a versatile food, it can be prepared for many different meals using many different methods.
But more importantly, it's just so darn good for you.
Salmon is one of the best options for increasing healthy Omega 3s in our diets, lowering saturated fats, and it's loaded with vitamins A, B and D. Canada's food guide recommends at least two 150 gram servings of fish every week.
Farm-raised salmon is very good for you: our farmers use no growth hormones or genetic modification to enhance growth, contaminant levels are low compared to other proteins, and because of the close care given to our fish, health issues are rare.
Let us guess. You've heard a rumour about dyed salmon meat?
Well, it's wrong. Our salmon get their colour the same way their wild cousins do: by eating a source of carotenoids, which are an important anti-inflammatory for the fish's health.
In the wild, salmon get it from krill and other plankton. On our farms, it's included in the fish feed.
Which brings us to another topic: because salmon on farms are fed, there is complete control over what they consume. That gives us complete confidence in the health of our product.
Because of the ability to monitor feeding, organic standards can be set for foods raised on farms. Canada just completed an organic standard for aquaculture and some farmers are looking at whether it could be implemented.
We're very proud of the healthy, high quality product that our farmers produce - but ultimately, no matter what the source, we just encourage people to increase the amount of salmon they eat.
We have great salmon recipes and tips for cooking and preparation on our website: www.salmonfarmers.org.
