Could you live without salmon?
By prettyruby
@prettyruby (350)
United States
October 18, 2011 1:30am CST
There's a salmon-killing virus that is making it's way up the Pacific Coast and has already wreaked havoc on the salmon populations in Chile and Scotland. It causes anemia in the salmon which eventually leads to death for the poor fishes. It is important to note that this virus DOES NOT affect humans, and it is still completely safe to eat salmon.
However, it brings up an interesting question. I absolutely adore grilled salmon, and I eat it about once or twice a month when I can afford it at a restaurant. But what if it became so expensive because the populations became so low that it was no longer affordable. Or what if salmon died out completely?
I would be really sad if salmon died out, because it is my favorite fish to eat. Many people also like to eat salmon roe. What about you? Could you live without salmon?
2 people like this
5 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I love salmon, plain and simple. There are enough salmon farms that it would still be available, but you can believe they will make the most of this. I wish I had a salmon farm, because they stand to get pretty rich if this continues to spread. Farmed salmon isn't as good for you, but if I couldn't get the real thing, I'd eat it.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Oh, no... I hadn't heard. I don't buy farmed salmon for that reason and others, like what they're fed. It's not healthy to eat them, just like most commercially farmed meats. Cochineal provides red dye for almost everything, including canned food, candy and more. (Think peppermint candy canes!) It's not that I object to as much as the fact that it's underhanded.
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
19 Oct 11
This virus is actually most aggressive in salmon farms - the salmon in those farms tend to get sick and die first. So, it'd probably be the salmon farms that would shut down first and then slowly spread to the wild salmon.
I wouldn't mind farmed salmon so much if they didn't dye the meat pink. That's just gross and the dye is probably made from the cochineal, a bug that produces red fluids when squished.
@CelticSoulSister (1640)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
18 Oct 11
I do like salmon, but could easily live without it.
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I'd be super sad without salmon. I could live without it, but I'd always long for the taste!
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I agree - it'd be really sad personally, but even more devastating for the eco-system. I'm pretty sure most of the bears that depend on salmon runs for food in the Fall would probably die out without human intervention if salmon became extinct.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
23 Oct 11
It's rare that I eat Salmon. I don't think I would miss it as I can not afford it right now. But I don't wish any harm to them or the water cycle.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
18 Oct 11
I also like salmon.
I have a recipe with fettuccine and one the main ingredients is salmon.
So,if ever it becomes too expensive,I am sure I can only cook my recipe once in a year 
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
19 Oct 11
Oh no! That would stink :( That sounds like a delicious recipe though - you should share it sometime!
