Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Honored as World’s Best in Ecological Sustainability by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, farmed in freshwater channels connecting glacial melt water lakes in the Mackenzie Basin of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, is a product in a category of its own after Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch organization announced that its rating for both Freshwater and Marine Farms in New Zealand was that of Green or “BEST CHOICE”.

New Zealand’s salmon farming industry leads the way with its best practice, natural ecosystems and clean, green, sustainable approach, and Mt Cook Alpine Salmon stands at the forefront. With a score of 8.59 out of 10 for its ecological sustainability from Seafood Watch, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is the highest scoring salmon farm in the Seafood Watch rating system. The company has a history of firsts. It was the first Aquaculture facility in Australasia to achieve Best Aquaculture Practice certification from the Global Aquaculture Alliance in 2012, and first King (Chinook) Salmon supplier to meet very specific sustainability requirements of the Whole Foods Market chain in the U.S. last year.

Mt Cook Technical Director, Professor Terry Bradley says, “Mt Cook farms in one of the last pristine environments in the world, nestled among the majestic Southern Alps. The sheer isolation of our farms gives us a distinct advantage.” He continues, “We pride ourselves on our environment and take a leadership role in the protection and enjoyment of it for all.”

As a leading supplier of seafood to major retailers, distributors, institutional food service and restaurant chains located across the United States, National Fish & Seafood serves as the exclusive distributor of Mt Cook Alpine Salmon frozen products in the States. The company is one of the longest standing in the industry in America, located in the heart of Gloucester, MA, renowned as the fishing capital of the U.S. National Fish & Seafood is pleased to deliver the pinnacle of taste, purity and quality in salmon to the most discerning palates in the nation through their relationship with Mt Cook, which furthers their ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and leading-edge aquaculture methodologies.

Jeff Sedacca, President, Shrimp & Aquaculture Division of National Fish & Seafood, a key North American distributor for Mt Cook Alpine Salmon said, “When we first tasted Alpine Salmon from Mt Cook, we knew this was a very different product, it is the jewel in the crown of sustainable aquaculture worldwide. The quality of the salmon, and the purity of the water it is raised in (so pure you can drink it after it passes through the farm), truly sets Mt Cook Alpine Salmon apart from any other aquaculture operation in the world.”

About Mt Cook Alpine Salmon

Hatched and raised in the pristine, glacial waters of New Zealand's Southern Alps, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon speaks for itself. A unique alpine environment, fast-flowing habitat and the delicate touch of the seasons, create the world's finest freshwater King Salmon, rated the World’s Best in Ecological Sustainability by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch. Nature has done all the hard work and the flavour tells her story. www.MtCookAlpineSalmon.com.

About National Fish & Seafood

National Fish & Seafood, a U.S.-based division of Pacific Andes Group, is a national supplier/partner of seafood to major U.S. retailers, distributors, institutional food service and restaurant chains. Every year the company sources, processes and distributes more than 11,500 tons of frozen raw fish fillets and shrimp, cooked shrimp, breaded fish and seafood products under its National Fish, Matlaw’s and Schooner brands. Matlaw’s famous stuffed clams are the #1 selling seafood appetizer in the United States. The vast sourcing and production capabilities of Pacific Andes along with its strong financial backing give National Fish the resources to fulfill commercial and retail orders of any size. In addition, the company maintains its own 66,000 square foot, SQF Level 3 certified processing facility located adjacent to its headquarters in Gloucester, Massachusetts. www.NationalFish.com.

About Seafood Watch

Seafood Watch is operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is a science based source for ranking sustainable fisheries around the world. It is a not-for-profit initiative that has taken off from modest beginnings in 1999 and has helped spawn a growing sustainable seafood movement that’s gaining momentum across the globe. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. It has become the reference point for millions of conservation minded consumers, restaurateurs and eco-minded retail chains in the United States interested in buying their seafood from ocean-friendly sources. www.SeafoodWatch.org.