Atlantic salmon
Salmo salar
What to check for
Location
All areas
Production method
Closed system, RAS
Rating summary
Atlantic salmon farmed in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have little environmental impact, operating on land and closed off from the natural environment. Salmon are carnivorous fish and rely on wild capture fisheries to produce their feed, MCS would like to see all these fish certified as sustainably managed. Due to the inherent design of RAS facilities and the ability to apply strict bio-security measures, salmon production does not really on chemical use. There is negligible concern about the impact of effluents, disease risks, parasite interaction or escapes. Farmed salmon populations are sourced from hatchery-reared broodstock as opposed to wild-caught individuals, and facilities encompass a nursery.Rating last updated April 2020.
References
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ASC (2019). ASC Salmon Standard V1.3. Available at https://www.asc-aqua.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ASC-Salmon-Standard_v1.3_Final.pdf [Accessed 05.05.2020]
C.L.A.M.S. Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (C.L.A.M.S.) Explanatory Handbook, pp.1-19. Available at: http://www.bim.ie/media/bim/content/BIM_CLAMS_Explanatory_Handbook.pdf [Accessed 31.03.2020]
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DEFRA (2015). United Kingdom Multiannual National Plan for The Development of Sustainable Aquaculture. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/480928/sustainable-aquaculture-manp-uk-2015.pdf [Accessed 31.03.2020]
FAO (2011). FAO Regional Training on the Principles of Cage Culture in Reservoirs. Available at: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/SEC/docs/Fishery/Fisheries_Events_2012/Principles_of_cage_culture_in_reservoirs/Mooring_Systems.pdf [Accessed 27.03.2020]
FAO (2020). Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) Cultured Species Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Salmo_salar/es [Accessed 24.03.2020]
Government of Ireland. National Marine Planning Framework - “ Baseline Report. Pp.1-107. Available at: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/national_marine_planning_framework_baseline_report_0.pdf [Accessed 31.03.2020]
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Marine Harvest (2018). Salmon Farming Industry Handbook. Available at: http://hugin.info/209/R/2200061/853178.pdf [Accessed 25.03.2020]
Marine Spatial Planning Programme (2020). Norway. Available at http://msp.ioc-unesco.org/world-applications/europe/norway/ [Accessed 07.05.2020]
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