The word “sustainable” is a frustrating word. It’s typically used to green-wash products and doesn’t usually back up the word with fact.
What does sustainable mean? There are many definitions and typically center around the “three pillars”; social, economic and environmental. Our definition is simple – sustainability means provided for today without jeopardizing tomorrow.
Earlier in the year this blog had warned that Copper River Sockeye from Alaska will be highly promoted in May (the start of the salmon run). We didn’t bother picking on every piece of advertising, but one recent posting by Clare Leschin-Hoar at TheKitchn.Com did catch our eye. This “Guest Post” followed the typical rant this blog has only come to recognize so well;
#1 – Salmon is good for you, but you shouldn’t eat farm-raised salmon for various health and environmental reasons.
#2 – Alaska salmon is the best option, because it’s “well managed and maintained, and therefore sustainable”.
And there’s where it all falls apart. When Clare Leshin-Hoar feels it necessary to quickly attack farm-raised salmon and then literally ignore the risks that salmon fishing in Alaska poses, our “promo-dar” (sorry, that’ s a bad rip-off of “gay-dar”) went off.
Dear Ms. Hoar (insert name joke here);
Alaska does farm raise billions of salmon each year. They call it salmon ranching. You cannot ignore the fact that the risks of salmon ranching are real and need to be discussed, not ignored. We here at www.alaskasalmonranching.wordpress.com challenge you to look at the facts and refrain from simply attacking the competition in an attempt at sponsoring your product.
Need proof? The photo credit in the article is given to the Copper River Marketing Association. There, that was easy.
