Many consumer guides to ocean-friendly seafood list wild-caught Alaska salmon as sustainable, and the entire fishery is certified sustainable to the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Some spend their entire lives landlocked in fresh water. Commonly called kokanee, they are found in the upper Copper River and elsewhere in Alaska. The name sockeye comes from 'suk-kegh,' which means “red fish” in the language of the indigenous Salish people of Canada's Fraser River.

We are WILD about salmon! Wild for Salmon sells all five species of wild-caught salmon: king, sockeye, coho, keta, pink. Each one offers its own favors, textures, and levels of nutrients making it possible for just about everyone to find a variety that they love to eat.

Pretty much all Atlantic Salmon is farmed; so if you're looking for wild-caught salmon, always avoid Atlantic Salmon. Fish farming is banned in Alaska, so all appropriately labeled Alaskan Salmon (including Sockeye, Coho, and King) is wild-caught salmon.

Farmed salmon is sustainable when producers have minimal impacts on wild salmon populations and the environment. Salmon rated a Good Alternative almost always means the fishery targets a healthy salmon population, but it also catches salmon from at-risk or overfished populations.

Environmental pressures

• Sea lice.
• Overfishing and gillnets.
• Competition at sea.
• Warming temperatures.
• Ulcerative dermal necrosis.
• Habitat.

Salmon is particularly high in selenium, an important nutrient that is involved in DNA synthesis, thyroid hormone metabolism, and reproductive health ( 3 ). It's also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of heart-healthy fat that can decrease inflammation and support brain health ( 4 ).

Health Benefits of Wild Alaskan Salmon

• Heart Health. Omega 3s inhibit the formation of blood clots.
• Brain Health.
• Joint Health.
• Eye Health.
• Cancer-Fighting Benefits.
• Omega 3 Consumption.

All fish contain some contaminants, but wild Alaskan salmon is a lot cleaner than the farmed stuff. As previously mentioned, wild Alaskan salmon has many benefits for heart health. These health-protective effects largely come from the impact it has on blood lipids.

Sockeye salmon has the highest amount of omega 3 of any fish with approximately 2.7 grams per 100-gram portion. Therefore, just one serving of Alaska Salmon per week can help to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

When is salmon environmentally sustainable? Salmon rated a Best Choice by Seafood Watch is the most environmentally sustainable. Best Choice wild salmon comes from a healthy population, and the well-managed fishery has little to no impact on other marine life and habitats.

The first positive of wild salmon is the benefits it brings for heart health. Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 in the world, and all varieties provide large amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).