5 ms·

Question is, why are they farming atlantic salmon on the pacific coast?

merraksh 9y ago
If $FISH is easier to farm or tastier or more valuable than $FISH2 and there are enough consumers in $CITY, I'd bet there will be a $FISH farm close enough to $CITY.
cperciva 9y ago
My understanding is that Atlantic salmon has a milder flavour and is more popular.
sogen 9y ago
same thing as why most stuff is made in $cheapcountry
kat 9y ago
Atlantic salmon are larger than native species on the coast, so more business value. They also grow faster than than native salmon.
- foota 9y ago
  I think parent is asking why on the _coast_
- geezerjay 9y ago
  > Atlantic salmon are larger than native species on the coast, so more business value. They also grow faster than than native salmon. You've missed the point. Of course they do it because it makes business sense. That's the whole point of a business. What remains a mystery is why on earth would they be farming an invasive specie right in the ecosystem they are a threat.
  - Majestic121 9y ago
    You're answering your own question : they do it because it makes business sense and they probably won't be the one to pay for the damages (not personally at least)
    - geezerjay 9y ago
      > they do it because it makes business sense That's far from being the point, and it doesn't answer anything at all. I mean, I assume this "environmental nightmare" happened on a fish farming business located in Washington. After a brief googling, it appears that Aquaculture companies in Washington are required to apply for a commercial license. http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/commercial/misc_additional_permits.html http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/commercial/misc_additional_perm... Why on earth would a commercial license be granted to a business that involves introducing invasive species on a protected ecosystem?
      - vacri 9y ago
        Primary industries have a lot more political clout than environmental protection. Primary industries generate tax dollars for the government; conservation consumes it.
  - Mikushi 9y ago
    Well, you said it yourself, business.
  - blubb-fish 9y ago
    why are there nuclear plants right next to where people live?
  - ggcdn 9y ago
    My guess would be the abundance of nice sheltered inlets for net pens. My sister is a marine biologist for a fish farming company (not the one involved in the article). My understanding from past discussions with her is that there have been attempts to farm some of the species of pacific salmon, but they have not yet figured out how to get good yields.

If $FISH is easier to farm or tastier or more valuable than $FISH2 and there are enough consumers in $CITY, I'd bet there will be a $FISH farm close enough to $CITY.

cperciva 9y ago

My understanding is that Atlantic salmon has a milder flavour and is more popular.

sogen 9y ago

same thing as why most stuff is made in $cheapcountry

kat 9y ago

Atlantic salmon are larger than native species on the coast, so more business value. They also grow faster than than native salmon.

foota 9y ago
I think parent is asking why on the _coast_
geezerjay 9y ago
> Atlantic salmon are larger than native species on the coast, so more business value. They also grow faster than than native salmon. You've missed the point. Of course they do it because it makes business sense. That's the whole point of a business. What remains a mystery is why on earth would they be farming an invasive specie right in the ecosystem they are a threat.
- Majestic121 9y ago
  You're answering your own question : they do it because it makes business sense and they probably won't be the one to pay for the damages (not personally at least)
  - geezerjay 9y ago
    > they do it because it makes business sense That's far from being the point, and it doesn't answer anything at all. I mean, I assume this "environmental nightmare" happened on a fish farming business located in Washington. After a brief googling, it appears that Aquaculture companies in Washington are required to apply for a commercial license. http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/commercial/misc_additional_permits.html http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/commercial/misc_additional_perm... Why on earth would a commercial license be granted to a business that involves introducing invasive species on a protected ecosystem?
    - vacri 9y ago
      Primary industries have a lot more political clout than environmental protection. Primary industries generate tax dollars for the government; conservation consumes it.
- Mikushi 9y ago
  Well, you said it yourself, business.
- blubb-fish 9y ago
  why are there nuclear plants right next to where people live?
- ggcdn 9y ago
  My guess would be the abundance of nice sheltered inlets for net pens. My sister is a marine biologist for a fish farming company (not the one involved in the article). My understanding from past discussions with her is that there have been attempts to farm some of the species of pacific salmon, but they have not yet figured out how to get good yields.