National Salmon Day Date in the current year: October 8, 2024

Salmon is the common name for several fish species of the family Salmonidae. The seven officially recognized species of salmon are the pink salmon (humpback salmon), chum salmon (keta salmon), coho salmon, masu salmon (cherry trout), sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, and Atlantic salmon. Other species in the genera Oncorhynchus and Salmo may be colloquially referred to as salmon, but they are not considered true salmon.

Salmon are commercially important fish. They are intensively farmed in many countries of the world, such as Australia, Canada, Chile, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The world’s largest producer of farmed salmon is Norway with 37%, followed by Chile with 26% (as of 2022). Salmon is also caught in the wild; if you count wild salmon, Norway accounts for more than half of global salmon production.

Salmon is an oily fish valued for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. It also contains B vitamins and a number of dietary minerals, such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc. Salmon is considered a rich source of B vitamins, selenium and phosphorus, and a moderate source of copper and potassium.

Salmon is very versatile culinary-wise; it can be pan-fried, grilled, braised, baked, poached, cured in a mix of salt and sugar to make gravlax, smoked, and even eaten raw as sushi, sashimi or tartare. It can also be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, quiches, risotto, and pasta.

Canned salmon is also available in many countries; it can be enjoyed on its own, added to salads, pastas, dips and spreads, sandwiches, wraps and rolls, or used to make salmon patties or croquettes. Salmon roe, also known as red caviar, is part of Japanese and Russian cuisine. In other words, there are many ways to incorporate salmon into your diet and make the most of its health and nutritional benefits.

National Salmon Day was launched in 2015 by Chicken of the Sea, a California-based packager and provider of seafood such as clams, crab, kippers, mackerel, oysters, salmon, sardines, shrimp, and tuna. The initiative was supported by Chicago, San Diego, and Cook County, Illinois. It was decided to observe National Salmon Day in October because it is National Seafood Month in the United States.

National Salmon Day celebrates the health benefits, taste, versatility, and convenience of the second most popular seafood in the United States (after shrimp). The holiday honors both wild and packaged salmon. You can join the celebration by learning more about the benefits of salmon, having salmon for lunch or dinner at your favorite restaurant, experimenting with salmon recipes at home, and taking a pledge to include more healthy and delicious fish in your diet. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #NationalSalmonDay!