Salmon Wars: The Dark Underbelly of Our Favorite Fish

Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins' book "Salmon Wars" exposes the unappetizing truth about the international salmon farming industry, revealing the conditions inside hatcheries and farms that threaten our health and environment. The authors document how the industrialization of Atlantic salmon threatens this keystone species and lines the pockets of Big Tobacco.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: St Martin's Press

Salmon, once the beloved fish on North America's dinner tables, has replaced tuna as the most popular choice. However, the unappetizing truth about this fish is that it is not as healthy and environmentally friendly as we have been led to believe. In their book "Salmon Wars," investigative journalists Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins take readers on a deep dive into the murky waters of the international salmon farming industry. They expose the harsh realities that lie behind the façade of this industry, which has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years.

Massive ocean feedlots, where millions of salmon are crammed into parasite-plagued cages and fed a chemical-laced diet, are the focal point of the authors' investigation. The conditions inside hatcheries, where young salmon are treated like garbage, are revealed in shocking detail. At the same time, the farms that threaten our fragile coasts are exposed for the harm they cause to the environment and the species that inhabit it.

The authors paint colorful portraits of individuals who have been at the forefront of the fight against salmon farming. They include the big salmon farmer who poisoned his own backyard, the fly-fishing activist who risked everything to ban salmon farms in Puget Sound, and the American researcher driven out of Norway for raising the alarm about dangerous contaminants in the fish. These characters represent different perspectives and motivations, but they all share a common goal: to protect the health and well-being of our planet and the species that inhabit it.

Frantz and Collins document how the industrialization of Atlantic salmon threatens this keystone species and endangers our health and environment. They expose the corruption and greed that underpin this industry, which has been allowed to operate with little oversight and regulation. The book also highlights the financial stakes involved, with Big Tobacco-style corporations controlling the market and profiting from the sale of salmon.

However, "Salmon Wars" offers hope. The authors show that it is not necessary for salmon farming to be this way. They provide readers with scientific research and information that challenge the industry's claims about the health benefits of salmon and the environmental impact of salmon farms. They offer alternative solutions and strategies for sustainable fishing and aquaculture that can protect our oceans, our health, and the livelihoods of fishermen and women.

"Salmon Wars" is a powerful and eye-opening book that will inspire readers to make choices that protect our health and our planet. It is a call to action that reminds us of the importance of transparency, accountability, and sustainability in our food and fishing industries. As consumers, we have the power to demand better and to support businesses that prioritize the health of our environment and the well-being of their employees and customers.

In conclusion, "Salmon Wars" is a must-read for anyone who cares about the health of our oceans, our environment, and the species that inhabit it. It is a powerful indictment of the international salmon farming industry and a call to action for a more sustainable and responsible approach to fishing and aquaculture. By reading this book, we can all play a role in protecting our planet and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 208 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250871503