The Pescavore’s Dilemma ~ Omega 3 anyone

It’s unfortunate and indeed ironic, that only farmed fish can be considered organic, as fish havested from our seas can’t be ‘interrogated for its pedigree’ as to cleanliness of water, diet, ingested toxins, whether the fish has been caught sustainably or not.

Australia’s first organic fish farm, Organic Fish (Australia) Pty Ltd, or Soulfish silver perch comes from the subtropical climes of near Grafton, NSW.

Tim Jones and Anne Montgomery take a ‘whole-of-farm’ approach and adapt their management systems to ensure environmental sustainability. Their stocking densities are about half that used in conventional farming. This helps optimise water quality and ensure the health of the fish. Soulfish silver perch is fed certified organic feed. The fish are not treated with hormones, antibiotics or pesticides and there is no use of genetically modified organisms. Approximately one-third of Tim and Anne’s farm is forested, providing over 14 hectares (30 acres) of habitat for native plants and animals.

CSIRO research has shown that silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) has one of the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in Australian fish.