The aquaculture of salmonids is the farming and harvesting of salmonid fish under controlled conditions for both commercial and recreational purposes. Salmonids (particularly salmon and rainbow trout), along with carp and tilapia, are the three most important fish groups in aquaculture.[2] The most commonly commercially farmed salmonid is the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
In the United States, Chinook salmon and rainbow trout are the most commonly farmed salmonids for recreational and subsistence fishing through the National Fish Hatchery System.[3] In Europe, brown trout are the most commonly reared fish for recreational restocking.[4] Commonly farmed non-salmonid fish groups include tilapia, catfish, black sea bass and bream. In 2007, the aquaculture of salmonids was worth USD $10.7 billion globally. Salmonid aquaculture production grew over ten-fold during the 25 years from 1982 to 2007. In 2012, the leading producers of salmonids were Norway, Chile, Scotland and Canada.[5]
Much controversy exists about the ecological and health impacts of intensive salmonids aquaculture. Of particular concern are the impacts on wild salmon and other marine life.
- ^ Based on data sourced from the relevant FAO Species Fact Sheets
- ^ "Fish Farming Information and Resources". farms.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ Joseph John Charbonneau; James Caudill (September 2010). "Conserving America's Fisheries-An Assessment of Economic Contributions from Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation" (PDF). US Fish and Wildlife Service. p. 20. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
- ^ "Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme Salmo trutta". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
- ^ "Responsible Sourcing Guide: Farmed Atlantic Salmon" (PDF). Seafish. 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2018.