Via Underwatertimes.com:

In conjunction with the annual Boston Seafood Show, the Pure Salmon Campaign today issued a warning that American consumers are being misled by farm-raised fish currently being sold with an “organic” label.

At issue are imported Norwegian, Irish and Scottish farmed salmon and also farmed cod certified as “organic” by various European bodies. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not finalized an organic standard for farmed fish and yet is allowing imported seafood, such as farmed salmon and cod, to be sold in U.S. grocery stores and restaurants with an “organic” label.

So when your perusing the seafood section, keep in mind that “organic” might not mean what you think it means. Some of the fish with that label were raised in open net cages in possibly contaminated marine water.

…it is not in support of organic certification for carnivorous fish such as salmon raised in open net cages in the marine environment. Open net cage systems allow untreated wastes, the spread of diseases and parasites to wild fish and escapes into the ocean.

“When my customers ask me why I don’t serve ‘organic’ farmed salmon, I tell them there is no such thing,”

Hit the jump for more details. Or check out the Wikipedia entry

[Fish farm pic via Global Aid Australia]