RESEARCH - Research Summary

Environmental Integrity Theme

Research Summary

A multidisciplinary team of experts from universities and Fisheries and Oceans Canada plan to compare the flesh quality attributes (i.e., types and levels of contaminants, nutrient content with emphasis on fatty acid composition, sensory parameters such as colour, flavour and texture) of farmed and wild BC salmon using an unbiased and objective study design (double blind approach). No comprehensive study has been conducted on this theme in Canada. Also, there are very few comparative data available elsewhere in the world. Most studies on this topic have examined small numbers of fish for some of the flesh quality attributes. Moreover, in a study investigating flesh contaminant issues in farmed BC salmon, the precise origin of the fish and their nutritional and environmental histories were not documented. Consequently, conclusions based upon this and other studies have been highly controversial and they may have led to misinformation regarding the safety and nutritive value of farmed salmon for human consumption.

Persistent negative perception of farmed salmon flesh quality by some groups based upon misinformation or limited information may be unfairly biasing a significant number of consumers against consumption of farmed salmon. Alternatively, the limited information available concerned especially with measurements of contaminants in farmed salmon flesh conceivably could be correct in some situations or cases. This study is designed to determine, in a fair manner, whether there are any concerns about flesh quality of farmed salmon in relation to their wild counterparts for the selected attributes and in comparison to other sources of animal protein and federal and international food safety standards. This knowledge either in the sort-term (no problems encountered), or long-term after mitigative approaches have been developed for those parameters of concern, will ensure that farmed salmon is a healthy and nutritious product and will lead to increased marketing opportunities for the BC salmon industry.

Network Investigators

Dr. Micheal Ikononou, Simon Frasier University and Fisheries and Oceans - Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, BC
Dr. David Higgs, Fisheries and Oceans, West Vancouver Lab, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Scott McKinley, Centre for Aquaculture and the Environment, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Brent Skura, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Robert Devlin, Fisheries and Oceans, West Vancouver Lab, Vancouver, BC