Boom times for fish farms
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Boom times for fish farms
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MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: This is typically the peak season for fishing Wild King Salmon in Oregon and California, but there are heavy restrictions on the catch this summer. Rachel Dornhelm tells us that’s become a boon for some in the seafood industry.
RACHEL DORNHELM: All commercial salmon fishing from Northern California to Central Oregon is closed for the year to protect depleted fish stocks.
Seafood industry analyst Howard Johnson says with few other sources for wild salmon, the cost of the already pricey fish has doubled.
HOWARD JOHNSON: Even the farmed salmon which is more plentiful is up in price.
Of course that’s good news for salmon farms, the largest of which are Chile and Canada.
Johnson says it’s also good news for harvesters of Halibut and Tilapia, common alternatives to salmon.
Meanwhile, until the ban lifts, Oregon is establishing a program with lottery funds to reemploy its salmon fishermen in fish research and restoration projects.
I’m Rachel Dornhelm for Marketplace.
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