Salmon farming is an important part of the global aquaculture industry and involves the breeding and raising of salmon in a controlled environment. This process starts from a tiny egg and ends at the dining table. It involves a lot of science and technology, giving this traditional industry a brand new look. When you sit down to enjoy a delicious salmon at the table, have you ever wondered about the mysterious journey behind this food?
The roots of salmon farming can be traced back to late 18th century Europe. With the development of modern science and technology, the technology of salmon farming has become more mature. According to the report, global salmon farming production was worth $10.7 billion in 2007, with production increasing more than tenfold since 1982. The growth of this market has made Norway, Chile, Scotland and Canada the leading producers of farmed salmon.
Salmon farming can generally be divided into two major stages. In the first stage, salmon hatch from eggs and live in freshwater tanks for 12 to 18 months until they become juveniles (or smolts). The juveniles are then transferred to floating cages in the sea where they are raised for approximately 12 to 24 months until they reach a harvestable size. This type of marine farming is called mariculture.
Modern commercial aquaculture farms mostly use recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which makes the farms no longer overly dependent on a stable supply of fresh water. Using economical temperature control technology, the farms are able to speed up or slow down the growth of salmon to meet market demand. The application of this technology will help improve breeding efficiency and product quality.
As the aquaculture industry develops, the main feed for salmon has also undergone changes. Due to the stability of global fishmeal production, many fishmeal markets have shifted to providing feed for salmon and other marine life. New technological developments are making plant-based proteins an important ingredient in salmon farming, and research into feed design continues.
Modern salmon harvesting methods are moving towards the use of wet-hold vessels to transport live salmon to processing plants, which improves the quality of the fish and reduces stress during processing. Improvements in the breeding environment and an emphasis on humane salmon slaughter are both positive developments in modern aquaculture.
While salmon farming brings economic benefits, it also raises concerns about many environmental issues. For example, farmed fish can pose a threat to wild salmon and other marine life, particularly in terms of the spread of parasites and diseases. However, these issues have also prompted the industry to constantly adjust and seek more sustainable farming methods.
ConclusionThe salmon farming process has evolved over hundreds of years, transforming simple fishing into complex industrial production. Every time we enjoy salmon on the table, in addition to tasting its deliciousness, we should also think about the farming technology, environmental challenges and ecological impacts behind it, and truly understand how hard it is to obtain this precious ingredient and the necessity of sustainable development. sex. Should we rethink our dietary choices to protect these delicious marine resources?