New Zealand: Salmon farms trumpet low carbon footprint

Life cycle analysis of New Zealand-farmed King salmon sold domestically shows a lower carbon footprint than beef, lamb and cheese. The sustainability life cycle analysis or LCA shows the carbon footprint of King salmon is similar to that of eggs, poultry and farmed oysters. The LCA was carried out by Thinkstep-ANZ and the results published by Fisheries New Zealand, Aquaculture NZ and the Salmon Farmers Association. The life cycle includes production, processing, packaging, transport, cooking and disposal. The chair of the Salmon Farmers Association, Mark Preece, said the results of the study are good for both producers and consumers. King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, is the only salmon species farmed commercially in NZ, where farms produce 75% of the world’s King salmon. The study not only affirms the sustainability of King salmon as a food source, but also provides the industry with insights for future enhancement strategies. Sanford’s manager of sustainability, Peter ...