The new wild salmon protection act !

Here is the greatest threat to our wild stocks.

Sognfjord, one of the many fjords that need protection. Ill photo Skot

The two government department involved in protecting the worlds largest wild stocks of salmon has released the long awaited announcement for the protection of Atlantic salmon. A complete plan for the fjords and catchments that contain the worlds last great salmon runs now looks like it will be introduced! The two areas affected by the new laws are Northern Norway and inner Songfjord.

It took only a short time before the Environment Minister (Brende) presented his plan to the fishing minister suggesting which fjords would be considered for industry use and which of the import catchments would be speared of the risks farms create. Porsanger in Finnmark and Høyanger in Sogn and Fjordane have been set aside for the exclusive use of water-based fish farms. These regions now fear that despite the fact that they have salmon rivers that flow direct into the fjords. They will be sacrificed to please the plans of our fishing minister. The word in the trade is the minister caved to the pressure of the powerful lobby groups behind the farming industry.

Here is a translation of the press realise from the Environment department:

Norway has a responsibility for the Atlantic wild Salmon and the current plan will enable Norway to protect its salmon catchments and fjords alleged Environment Minister Børge Bende. He enforced that fact that water based farming is an important industry for the villages that line our fjords. Yet wild salmon are also an important aspect for native samisk culture and recreational/ fishermen through out the land. Finally the genetic diversity of the wild stocks is the future of farming.

When the new plan is enforced the intentions proposed by the minister will protect the 37 catchments and 21 salmon fjords. Under the new guidelines no activities that show potential for damaging wild salmon stocks will be permitted. In the new “Salmon fjord act” no new farms will be established and existing farms will come under stricter controls in regards to reducing the number of escaped fish and disease control. In the largest and most important fjords it will be possible to undergo a voluntary agreement where as owners can move their farms from their current location.

These new regulations have created much discussion among the coastal communities involved in the farming industry. “I (Brende) mean we have created a plan that will benefit both wild salmon and the farming industry”. He states that new national plan alone will not solve the problems connected to the constant threat of fugitive farmed fish or sea-lice numbers.

He latter went on to say in a large number of areas it is important to increase current controls so as to protect wild salmon’s future. Among the many important tasks that lay ahead, one that stands out is the method in which we combat Gyrodactylus salaries. Other problems that will be investigated are the reduction of habitat, the number of wild rivers damned for power production and environmental pollution.

Salmon population.

In the space of ten years the worlds total population of Atlantic salmon has reduced by 75%. The Norwegian population also has reduced in accordance to the world trend, yet Norway is in a position unlike any other country. Not only does Norway have the bulk of the world’s population but also it is in a position to protect the last great salmon runs. Despite the fact the number of salmon caught since 1997 has increased this is still only 50% of the catch statistics from the 70’s and one third of the population are threatened.

One quarter of the wild salmon resource is based around 50 different genetic groups. This new proposal will help protect 37 of these individual populations. During the 2003/2004 parliament sessions the minister hopes to complete a plan the will protect all the 50 different groups.

The truth behind the Bla Bla Bla

It is the view of most involved in the recreational fishing industry and those that work endlessly to protect wild salmon that the environment minister has sold out. He has long claimed that he will push hard to remove farms from all the important fjords but yet again the powerful lobby groups behind the farming trade have flexed their muscles.

Norway has an endless number of fjords that have no salmon rivers connected to them that are empty. Despite this the “so called” environment minister has allowed the greatest threat to volunteer to move their farms. This is something that will never happen. Not only has he caved in to the farming industry but what he has created could be lead to an increased number of dead rivers. Currently 60 rivers flow dead but the worrying news is that 200 more are cling to life.






If you any comments or questions regarding this important new “plan” from our government please e-mail us your comments at post@fishbooking.com.




Skot