Navigating the Depths: Exploring the Health Differences Between Wild Caught and Farmed Fish

Written by Phillip Semaan on 2/11/2024

Did you ever think about where the fish you eat might be coming from? Ever think about the microplastics that you could potentially be ingesting when you eat sea-food? In this blog post, I will be telling you more about the differences between wild-caught and farmed fish, more specifically - the most popular fish of them all - salmon. 

Many people nowadays are reverting to a pescatarian diet, which entails getting most of their protein intake from seafood thinking it is a cleaner or healthier alternative - without taking into account how polluted our oceans have become, the difference in nutrient quality and density, or even the parasites that are eating our farmed fish alive.

One of the key distinctions between farmed and wild-caught fish lies in their nutrient profiles. Wild-caught fish, such as salmon, derive their nutrients from a natural diet of smaller fish and marine organisms. This results in a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart and brain health. However, farmed fish have a different diet, often including plant-based ingredients. While wild-caught salmon get their nutrients from natural sources, farmed salmon are fed unnatural plant-based diets with many additives, such as astaxanthin, which is why you might see a label that says “color added”. Astaxanthin is found in a variety of microorganisms and marine animals. It is also extensively added in farmed fish feed to enhance the coloration of muscle in salmon and shrimp - rendering this whole process unnatural. Farmed salmon, if not given any astaxanthin, will have discolored gray muscles. 

A recent video has gone viral after a journalist went to a salmon farm and took underwater footage. It shows zombie-like fish swimming around in their own feces, half eaten alive by sea lice. Sea lice have become a notorious problem in aquaculture. They latch onto the skin and fins of farmed salmon, eating into the flesh. The over-crowded conditions in fish farms also create an ideal environment for the rapid growth and spread of such parasites, leading to concerns about the overall well-being of the farmed fish. 

Another issue that arises when eating seafood is the consumption of microplastics. Microplastics, which are tiny particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, have infiltrated the tissues of fish. Studies reveal that microplastics are now present in virtually every ocean species, including both farmed and wild-caught fish. Consuming fish that are carriers of these microplastics puts us in danger as these microplastics are now present in our bodies. 

The decision to choose between farmed and wild-caught fish goes beyond personal taste - it is a complex interplay of environmental impact, health considerations, and nutritional quality. The challenges of parasites in farmed fish, coupled with the alarming levels of ocean pollution and the abundant presence of microplastics, highlights the need for sustainable and responsible practices in both aquaculture and fisheries.

Ultimately, the health of our oceans and the well-being of the fish we consume are intertwined, urging us to navigate these depths with a mindful and responsible approach. The big question is - have we, as human beings, polluted our oceans to the point of no return?