On Thursday 6th October the BBC reported that “omega-3 levels in farmed salmon have halved over the last five years”. That doesn’t apply to Loch Duart where our omega-3 levels remain high. In fact our results are considerably higher than the stated average for farmed salmon in the BBC report. . . . . .
Loch Duart commissions the Nutrition Analytical Service at the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture to carry out fatty acid analysis on our salmon for the EPA + DHA components indicating the omega-3 content. This year they analysed three samples of our salmon and the results averaged 2.7g of EPA/DHA on a 130g portion of Loch Duart salmon.
Therefore one single 130g portion of Loch Duart salmon would contain the equivalent of 90% of the weekly recommended requirement of 3g EPA + DHA.
Sustainability
At Loch Duart we believe in feeding our salmon a diet which is close to the natural diet of wild salmon. In the wild, salmon eat small fish, also krill, squid and shrimp. Our challenge is to reproduce this diet without putting extra pressure on the sea’s resources. Our sustainable choice for replicating this diet is to use the by-product of the Icelandic capelin fishery for any fishmeal. Any marine ingredients used in Loch Duart salmon feed are certified to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation Responsible Supply Standard.
The capelin is a small, bony fish which shoals in Icelandic waters and is processed for its roe which is highly prized in a number of countries. This fishery is strictly and sustainably managed. Through an exclusive partnership with Isfelag, the Icelandic fishing company, Loch Duart has access to the rest of the capelin – a by-product with high nutritional value.
Our feed policy, low-density rearing, fallowing and other environmentally friendly practices make Loch Duart salmon a little more expensive and we think it is worth it. Our feed policy delivers a great tasting salmon, served by name in leading restaurants all over the world, with positive benefits in human nutrition. Let’s ponder on the importance of omega-3 in our diet:
The importance of EPA and DHA
EPA and DHA are extremely important elements of human nutrition, with oil-rich fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel being excellent sources of these important nutrients. The many benefits of consuming EPA and DHA are well recognised, especially in relation to heart health, inflammatory disease and brain and nerve development, with over 5,000 scientific papers published on the subject. Internationally, many advisory bodies recommend the consumption of EPA and DHA-rich oily fish as part of a healthy balanced diet.
The BBC Science report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37321656) quoted a study carried out by researchers at Stirling University. Prof Douglas Tocher, who led the research, told BBC News: « About five years ago, a portion of Atlantic salmon of 130g was able to deliver three-and-a-half grams of beneficial omega-3. This is actually our weekly recommended intake. Now, the level of omega-3 has halved, » he said. « Therefore, instead of eating one portion of farmed salmon, we would need to eat two portions of farmed salmon, » he explained.
Consumers of Loch Duart salmon can rest assured that just one 130g portion of Loch Duart salmon provides 90% of one’s recommended weekly intake.
Editors Notes
Loch Duart Ltd is an independent Scottish salmon farm based in North West Scotland. Producing around 5,200 tonnes per year, it employs over 100 people in the Hebrides and Sutherland. The salmon is sold to leading hotels, restaurants and retailers at home and abroad.
Loch Duart’s unique farming methods include low density farming, a unique rotational fallowing system, swim-throughs and feed from sustainable sources to ensure lean, fit fish.
Loch Duart’s industry leading innovations include:
- The first fish farm in the world to achieve RSPCA Freedom Food approval.
- Loch Duart’s unique strategy of long term rotational fallowing which is optimised for each sea site according to conditions and fish numbers.
- In 2004, specifying sustainably sourced marine ingredients from traceable, identifiable lots for its salmon feed.
- Inventing a drum filter which can filter sea water down to 100 micron to collect any parasites and their eggs in the heavy water flows taken from the pens.
- In 2015 securing a source of capelin ‘trimmings’ for all the company’s fishmeal requirements to enhance the sustainability and quality criteria of Loch Duart salmon feed.
- Practising ‘environmental enrichment’ in our hatchery to stimulate the young salmon and improve welfare.
Loch Duart is no stranger to awards success this year having won ‘Export Team of the Year’ at the HSBC Scottish Export Awards 2016, a finalist as ‘Exporter of the Year’ for the Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2016 and nominated as a finalist for The Caterer ‘Product Excellence’ Award 2016.
For further information, contact Andy Bing, Sales Director, 01674 660161.