The trouble continues at Drevja River

Ill. bilde

Bjørn Johnsen from Steigen is so shocked with the treatment of trout Drevja River that he considering class action against the government.

Skot

“I have been a keen angler for over 30 years and see a few strange thing but never have I seen so cruel as this” said fisherman Bjørn Johnsen. He pointed to the trout sitting under a close gate at the rivers salmon ladder. Trout are trying in vein to continue there life journey up to the spawning grounds despite this the local council has stopped all access to the upper river. Their reason is to reduce the chances of the dreaded salmon parasite Gyrodactilus Salaris spreading upstream.

Beaten to death.
Added to the fisher’s troubles a large number of fish are been caught by fishermen using over sized hooks (report under “blood bath at Forsmofosen”). It has been observed that fish are drying for injuries cause by trying to swim up the ladder only to find it closed.

This is an issue that has split the community not only does the local river owner see this as a barbaric act but fishermen are stating to question those how control the health of our will fish.

Two sides.
There is always two sides to each story and the wardens fear that transporting healthy fish over the ladder is a risky operation not only can parasites that have infected the lower river start to effect to “clean” upper reaches. The other question is who will undertake this job. It takes a trained eye to sport the difference between a healthy fish and on just been infected but not showing any signs. The other problem that could occur is if this parasite finds its way to the upper river an import fishery could be lost.

It is sad to see fish suffer but if this river is to sustain a breeding population than drastic action must be taken. Unfortunately the loss of income from river owner is a factor that we must take into account. As a writer and a fisherman I can not see the local winner this case or the government standing firm on its policy of protecting healthily sections of rivers here in Norway.