Atlantic Salmon
 

When you think of Atlantic salmon the mind conjures images of majestic, wild fish leaping and fighting against torrents to return to their birth place to spawn. This amazing migration has fascinated scientists for many years and science has yet to fully explain how the salmon can find their birthplace with such startling accuracy. The female lays her eggs in a gravel hole dug in the side of the riverbed. Once the eggs hatch the fry remain close to the riverbed and start to feed on aquatic insects. They spend the next few years in the river leading mostly solitary lives but developing their hunting skills in more open water. Once they are ready the salmon will follow the rivers out to the Atlantic Ocean where they spend the next 1-3 years feeding in waters near Greenland in large groups. Once in the ocean they grow rapidly due to the abundance of food available until they are ready to return to their birth place to spawn, putting so much effort into this that almost all of them will die once their job is done.

Atlantic salmon is one of most widely farmed fish in the world with major farms in USA, Chile, Norway and UK however the farms in Tasmania produce some of the highest quality and most sought after farmed Atlantic Salmon in the entire world. Storm Bay Atlantic salmon is farmed in the pristine waters of southern Tasmania. When you look at the nutritional benefits of this magnificent fish, it’s not hard to see why.

Atlantic salmon contains protein, vitamin A, a range of B vitamins, vitamin D as well as the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc – all of which are vital ingredients for a healthy balanced diet. It is also high in Omega 3 fatty acids which have been proven to be essential for healthy bodily function, brain development and to reduce the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis and depression. It is one of nature’s superfoods.

It is also extremely versatile, with even the most aspiring Master Chef able to make a dish to impress. Salmon can be cooked in variety of ways to suit any palate or occasion. It can be steamed, poached, grilled, baked or eaten raw as sashimi. It can be bought it in fillets, cutlets, portions or whole so if you’re not sure, just check with your fishmonger which style is right for your dish. When buying fillets you should look for a uniform colour, firm moist flesh and a fresh ocean smell. This way you will know you are getting the best and freshest fish.

So come down to Peter's Fish Market and enjoy some fresh Storm Bay Tasmanian Atlantic salmon for dinner tonight.