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Chum salmon

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General

Salmonids

There are many species that belong to the Salmonids or (Protacanthopterygii). Did you know trouts, smelts, and even pikes belong to the Salmon family? Salmonids occur in either salt and freshwater. Most species are well-specialized predators and live in temperate climate zones.  Salmonids are ray-finned fishes and can be distinguished by the ‘fat-fin’ between the backfin and tail. They do not have spikes and the pelvic and pectoral fin are separated.

Salmonids are sold farmed and wildcaught. Wildcaught salmon comes from the Pacific. Almost all Atlantic salmon on sold is farmed. Since the 90s the farming of salmon increased dramatically. Norway, chile, Scotland, Canada and the Faroe islands are important farming countries for salmon. In both, wild-caught and farmed salmon problems in sustainability are prevalent.

 

 

 

Chum salmon

The chum salmon has the largest distribution area of the salmon species. This area ranges from Alaska to California in the east and from Siberia to Japan and northwest China in the west. The chum salmon can reach an average length of 60 cm and can weigh 4.4-10 kilograms. Salmon are so called anadromous fish. This means that they are born is freshwater and then migrate to sea to become mature. After 1-8 years, the mature fish return to freshwater to reproduce. Salmon only reproduce once and die shortly after.

 

Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus keta
Origin

Pacific Ocean, northeast and northwest (FAO 61; 67)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets, Purse seines, Pelagic longlines

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Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus keta
Origin

Pacific Ocean, northeast (FAO 67)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets, Purse seines, Pelagic longlines

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The chum salmonstockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
around Alaska is at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level. There is no evidence that fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
is too high.

In this area, fishing with gillnetsGillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish get caught in the meshes with their gills. The net stands vertically on the bottom or hangs on buoys in the water column. The by-catch of species such as porpoises and dolphins is a problem related to gillnets.
, pelagic longlinesLonglines (drifting):
A fishing method whereby a long main line (40-100 km long) with transverse lines with hooks with bait is expanded. The line floats on buoys in the water column. 
and pursePurse seines:
A ring net in which the net is circulated around a school of fish. Then the net is closed and taken in. This is also called 'purse seine'. 
seines causes little bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species. It is possible, however, that vulnerable species groups such as seabirds and marine mammals could become entangled in the nets and lines. The effects these methods have on the ecosystem are largely unknown, but do not appear to have a major impact on benthic habitats and species.

These fisheries are managed by Alaska and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Salmon fisheries are well managed by establishing “escapementEscapement goals:
Escapement goals are objectives used for example in the management of Pacific salmon stocks. It is determined how many salmon must escape the fishery and continue reproducing in order to exploit the stocks sustainably and with optimal yields. 
goals” for key salmon stocks and intensive monitoring. The managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is largely effective.

Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus keta
Origin

Pacific Ocean, northwest (FAO 61)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

It currently appears that the fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
on the chum salmon stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
around Russia is not too high. However, it is unclear whether this is actually sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
enough in the long term to conserve the stock.

Fishing with gillnetsGillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish get caught in the meshes with their gills. The net stands vertically on the bottom or hangs on buoys in the water column. The by-catch of species such as porpoises and dolphins is a problem related to gillnets.
can entangle vulnerable seabirds, whales and dolphins. The effects this method has on the ecosystem are largely unknown, but do not appear to have a major impact on benthic habitats and species.

The salmon fisheries in this area are managed, but information on stocks and how measures are complied with is still insufficient. ManagementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is partially effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.