Researchers have found that farmed salmon production results in a decrease in many essential nutrients compared to the wild fish used as feed. Consuming wild fish directly could improve nutrient intake and reduce pressure on marine resources. The study suggests dietary changes and industry improvements to enhance both human health and environmental sustainability.
People are encouraged to include more wild fish like mackerel, anchovies, and herring in their diets. These oily fish are key components in farmed salmon feed and are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are often underrepresented in our diets.
Scientists have discovered that the production of farmed salmon results in a net loss of vital dietary nutrients. They suggest that consuming wild ‘feed’ DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00932-z
The research was funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS), a Royal Society University Research Fellowship, a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship a Henslow Fellowship at Murray Edwards College, and the University of Cambridge.
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