Yesterday, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program moved Verlasso farmed salmon from Chile to its "yellow list" as a good alternative.
It marks the first time an ocean-farmed salmon has gotten a nod from an influential "eco-friendly" fish list.
The Seafood Watch list is one of several that assign seafood a red, yellow or green rating, based on their sustainability and environmental impact. Red is "avoid," yellow is "good alternative" and green is "best choice."
Farmed salmon is generally disdained by environmental activists, because salmon must be given feed high in omega 3 fatty acids to thrive and that the salmon are often grown in high-density pens. Farmers also use GMO yeast, though that has not made a difference in sales. The online grocery FreshDirect, which sells in the greater New York City metropolitan area and focuses on organic and sustainable foods, has been carrying the Verlasso salmon since it was first introduced in 2011.
That activists have not protested that the fish feed is made from genetically modified ingredients is likely because it hasn't been a big enough market to fundraise about.
Congratulations to Verlasso for making the list and the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program for leaving the herd.
