The salmon is possibly the species that best exemplifies the worldwide success of finfish aquaculture. Its cultivation from the 70s to the present has transformed what was once a luxury in an everyday food item, prevalent in most menus and fish shops. Consumption of farmed salmon has tripled since the 80s, holding fast as valued seafood regarded by consumers as safe and much appreciated for its excellent value for money, which explains its popularity in major world markets.
From the point of view of production, salmon aquaculture, with more than 2.4 million tons produced annually and a market value in excess of 4,5 billion euros, is the animal production system with the current fastest growth rate.
The development of the salmon industry has occurred mainly in Europe, the USA and Japan. A recent initiative that brings together the main producers within these three areas, recognizes the importance of implementing a strategy to ensure the sustainability of salmon aquaculture, with special emphasis on the certification process, the biosecurity of the farming operations and the control of raw materials used in the feeding of this species.
The Global Salmon Initiative (www.globalsalmoninitiative.org) brings together major aquaculture companies in Canada, Chile, Faroe Islands, Ireland, Norway and Scotland, and has secured the participation of organizations like the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF) and the United Nations through the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization). The work program considers the submission of regular reports from industry partners and data sharing and dissemination observing transparency policies, using as sustainability indicators parameters such as feed consumption, annual frequency of escapes, carrying capacity, environmental impact , disease monitoring, transfer of parasites, social impact on local communities and the generation and quality of employment related to this activity.