Very Bad News for Some

I had to read the newspaper article twice.  I had difficulty believing what I read.  In the Washington Post last week a story reported on the results of a blind taste test: farmed salmon vs wild caught salmon.  It is an article of faith in Alaska that wild salmon is superior. The state-supported Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute spends public funds telling the world about its merits.  Now comes a panel of noted seafood chefs and a seafood wholesaler.  They taste fillets steamed with a little salt.  The results are disastrous for the fishing industry that is based on wild caught fish .  The fish were rated 1 - 10 with 10 being the highest.  The list below shows average scores.

1. (7.6)  Costco farmed Atlantic, frozen in 4% salt solution; $6 per pound          
2. (6.4)  Trader Joe's farmed Atlantic, from Norway; $10.99 per pound         
3. (6.1)  Loch Duart farmed Atlantic, from Scotland; $15-$18 per pound 
4. (6.0)  Verlasso farmed Atlantic, from Chile; $12-$15 per pound  
5. (5.6)  Whole Foods farmed Atlantic Salmon, from Scotland, $14.99 per pound
6. (5.3)   ProFish wild king (netted), from Willapa Bay, WA, $16-$20 per pound
7. (4.9)   AquaChile farmed Atlantic, from Chile, $12-$15 per pound
8. (4.4)  ProFish wild coho (trolled), from Alaska, $16-$20 per pound
9. (4.0)  Profish wild king (trolled), from Willapa Bay, $16-$20 per pound
10. (3.9)  Costco wild coho, from Alaska, $10.99 per pound

So, foodies who won't touch anything but wild caught fish will have to rethink.  A quick trip to Costco may be in order.  Our oldest son is a commercial fisherman in Alaska.  I'm not sure what this taste test means for him.  

Over the Meadows and Through the Woods...

Only this time, Grandmother is the one making the trip.  I am off to Anchorage to be "Namma Nessa".  Back at my desk later this month.

Absurd

The Montana legislature has passed a law allowing motorists to salvage deer, elk, moose and antelope struck by their vehicles.  I guess this makes sense if you consider that the wild game are a public resource and the legislature is representing the public interest in assuring the meat will not be wasted.  But.  Each road-killed salvage will require a permit.  The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved new regulations which have gone through public rule making, assuring drivers that the permits will be easy to obtain using a website and printing them out at home.  Absurd.  Is it expected that the driver will drive home, print out the permit and then drive back and pick up the carcass?  Absurd.  Montana is the 4th largest state with the 48th population density.  There are miles and miles of roads in Montana (leading over some of the most beautiful scenery in America) on which to strike an elk.  What public purpose is served by the application for and issuance of a permit?  What bureaucratic cost will pertain? Why not allow the law to be self-implementing: issue clear terms and conditions and let the burden of compliance rest with the driver.  Salvage for human consumption, whole carcass taken, no entrails left behind.  Next we'll be suing Mother Nature for vehicle damage sustained in the collision.