Does Alaska have any fish or seafood farms?
Finfish remain wild-caught (by law), but sea vegetable (think seaweed), oyster, and geoduck farms exist in small numbers. Are there any types of overfished seafood to avoid? “No,” Laura says. “Commercial harvests are tightly controlled, and strict limits are observed in order to ensure the long-term health of the resource. As a result, supply is subject to fluctuation from natural cycles and the need to prioritize the health of the stocks.” What about toxins, such as mercury? Fish accumulate mercury as they age, so fish with relatively short life spans, such as salmon, do not have time to acquire many toxins. “The state of Alaska has a fish-monitoring project in place to show scientifically that its seafood is remarkably low in contaminants,” Laura says. For consumption guidelines, visit alaskaseafood.org. When is the best time to purchase Pacific salmon? “The greatest supply for fresh will be during peak harvest―mid-May to September,” Laura says. “But most is frozen for year-round ava
