Macgregors Seafood Notes

For all the ways we've changed over the years there has always been one constant: Jail Island Salmon. Yes, it is a different story now than it was 20 years ago when they were one of the first farms to get a license in the Bay of Fundy. In fact, Jail Island is now a brand under the Cooke Aquaculture umbrella. But change can be good and what the Jail Island label is now would have been impossible to achieve from in it's original incarnation. Let's start with what hasn't changed. They are still raising Genuine Atlantic Salmon. What is this? Simply put, a native New Brunswick strain of Atlantic Salmon, raised in...the Atlantic. Not in British Columbia, not in Chile, as well over 80% of Atlantic Salmon in this market comes from. It is indigenous to the East Coast & Bay of Fundy. It is still the premium food service brand packed exclusively for Macgregors in Ontario. Fillets destined for retail do not meet the quality standards of premium foodservice grade, selected for chefs.

What is Jail Island now? A world leader is progressive, sustainably focused aquaculture. Because they fall under the larger Cooke Aquaculture umbrella they have the luxury of employing a unique 3-bay management strategy of crop rotation allowing for organic renewal of the ocean sites as well as naturally controlling disease and thus eliminating the need for sub-therapeutic antibiotics. They use low stocking densities, a natural 2 year growth cycle (no growth hormones), only 20% of their feed is made up of fish protein (50% less than a decade ago), and their completely integrated business model reduces their overall carbon footprint by sourcing all their resources locally and servicing only local / regional markets. They have begun work in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture where bi-valves such as mussels grow along side the salmon in order to filter waste, as well as growing Kelp beneath the pens to further filter waste as well contribute as an ingredient in future feed manufacture. All of this and now they are Seafood Trust Certified.

The certification mark SEAFOOD TRUST attests that Jail Island salmon meets Certified Quality Salmon Standards (CQS). These standards have been developed with representatives throughout the supply chain and interested parties including producers, consumer representatives, retailers, government, and researchers, all covering the full supply chain. It stands for excellence in seafood production and attests that seafood under this label has been produced to very high standards which surpass usual government regulatory requirements and inspections.

What is a Certified Quality Salmon?

A Certified Quality Salmon from Jail Island is a product which is traceable to stringent product quality specifications pertaining to freshness, visual appearance, taste and texture. The certification also attests that Jail Island Salmon operates to best industry practice with regards to food safety, employee and animal welfare and social responsibility.

From then to now, Jail Island has remained a dynamic, responsible & progressive brand that we are proud to carry. Congratulations on becoming Seafood Trust certified.