Never Fear Salmon Lovers: Alternatives to your favorite fish

2008-04-24 15:50:27 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Health & Fitness)

Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — Unfortunately for this staff reporter and millions of other salmon lovers out there, our favorite pink dinner will not be made available after the salmon fishing season was canceled before it even began. According to Yahoo! news, “due to surprisingly tiny numbers of Chinook salmon (aka king salmon), the Pacific Fishery Management Council banned commercial and recreational fishing for 2008 of this popular fish.

The only wild-caught salmon left are smaller varieties from Washington state and Alaska, so prices are expected to soar. Estimates are about $30 to $40 a pound.”

Although there is Atlantic Salmon still available for sale, the purchase and consumption of the farmed fish is not advised due to a variety of environmental and health factors which may cause serious illness to the consumer. “Environmental Defense warns about high levels of PCBs and dioxins in farmed salmon. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch notes that salmon farmers use a lot of pesticides and antibiotics, which get into the fish and the nearby ecosystem.”

So what is a salmon-lover to do without those essential Omega-3 fatty acids? What options do you have for a fresh catch dinner both at the restaurant and at the grocery store? Here are a few affordable alternatives to salmon:

*White seabass - Also known as king croaker, weakfish, or seatrout.

*Arctic char - Naturally farmed in an environmentally friendly locale. Char comes from the U.S., Canada, Norway, and Iceland.

*U.S. catfish - This needs no description. Anyone who’s had a fish fry, hush puppies and some tarter sauce knows about the delicious taste of catfish! Easy to cook and farmed responsibly.

*U.S. Tilapia - This fish has a distinct taste that goes well with any meal, although it’s used most often in Latin cooking. Very affordable and easy to find.

*Rainbow trout - Good on the grill and a great alternative to salmon

Armed with a few alternatives that won’t break the bank and are farmed in an environmentally sound farm, you can make dinner for the family and still have the fish you desire.