Our fishmongers receive questions every day about the different classifications of seafood. To answer a few of these questions, below is a quick overview of the wild-caught and farm-raised labels. Both are valid forms of seafood production and are important to provide a steady supply of your favorite seafood all year round. Without farm-raising, you’d only be able to get salmon four months out of the year!
Learn more below and remember that our Adams fishmongers are always available to answer all your seafood questions and even offer preparation advice.
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Wild-Caught Seafood
Wild-caught seafood describes fish or other marine animals that are caught in the open ocean or other bodies of water.
These fish are typically caught using nets, lines, or traps. They are not raised in captivity. Wild-caught seafood can vary in quality and flavor depending on the species, location and time of year they were caught.
*Wild-caught seafood is only available during that item's specific fishing season. For example, wild-caught salmon is only in season from May to the end of August. At Adams, we do offer salmon year-round, but when it is not in season, it’s frozen. The same goes for other wild-caught seafood items.

Farm-Raised Seafood (Aquaculture)
Farm-raised seafood, also known as "aquaculture," refers to fish or other marine animals that are raised in controlled environments such as ponds, tanks or cages. It can include both freshwater and saltwater species, such as fish, shrimp, oysters and seaweed.
These fish are fed a diet specifically formulated for their species, and their environment is carefully monitored to ensure their health and growth. Farm-raised seafood can be a sustainable alternative to wild-caught seafood, but it may not taste the same as wild-caught fish.
Aquaculture can be done in a variety of ways, from small-scale operations to large commercial farms.