What is the grading classification of salmon?

There are four grades of grading classification of salmon. Includes:

• Premium Grade
  

Handling: All Premium fish will be bled and chilled upon harvest. There will be no skin or internal cuts or tears. There will be no punctures or bruises. The meat will be resilient when subjected to finger pressure. Scale loss will not exceed 15%. Scale adherence will be uniform. Some scale loss due to the method of harvest handling can be expected.

Odor: Odor will be sea-fresh. There will be no off-odor.

Eyes: Eyes will be normal in appearance, bright and clear.

Gills: Gills will be bright red, and will smell sea-fresh and odorless.

Skin: Skin color will be characteristic of fresh fish that is typical of the species, sexual maturity, district of harvest, and time of year it was harvested. (Refer to ASMI Skin Color Evaluation Guide for Pacific Salmon). Skin will be bright, shiny, and not hold wrinkles when bending fish slightly. There will be no skin indentations, perforations, or scars. Slime will be clear. There will be no tail damage or fin loss.

Belly Cavity: Color will be bright and natural. There will be no belly burn or protruding ribs. The belly will be free of viscera and the collar free of gill membrane.

• Grade A
  

Same as Premium Grade with the following exceptions: Bleeding will be optional. Scars may be present if less than 1 and well healed. There may be one skin cut less than 1. Scale loss will not exceed 25%. There may be up to 2 protruding ribs

• Grade B
  

Same as Grade A with the following exceptions: Smell may be neutral. Eyes may be dull, but not milky or cloudy. There may be slight to moderate indentations, scars up to 1.5 in size, and one skin cut up to 1.5. Scale loss may not exceed 40%. There can be no tail damage and fin loss will not exceed 50%. There may be slight fading of belly lining natural color and slight discoloration. There may be a slight belly burn with up to 6 protruding ribs. There may be internal cuts not to exceed 0.5 total. There may be no viscera, but traces of blood are acceptable.

• Grade C
  

Same as Grade B with the following exceptions: There may be a slight odor, eyes milky or cloudy, and gills pink to buff. Slime may be dull and copious. Scars and punctures will be allowed. Cuts and scale loss may be more than Grade B. Tail damage may be present and fin loss may be more than Grade B. Belly cavity discoloration may be more than Grade B. Bruising, belly burns, and cuts may be more than Grade B. Viscera traces and blood more than Grade B.