– decisive steps for the future of the wild salmon
Wild salmon has been a life nerve for local communities along the coast and our rivers. A source of wonderful nature experiences and value creation, and a symbol of our heritage and our obligations to future generations.
Today, this legacy is threatened. The intention of wild salmon to Norwegian rivers is historically low levels, and the situation is dramatic. Unfortunately, for NJFF Finnmark, the picture is no different; Salmon stocks are struggling, and more and more rivers are experiencing closures of fishing or very strict regulations to ensure enough spawning fish.
On April 10, the Government presented the aquaculture report « Future Aquaculture – Sustainable Growth and Food to the World ». The message will draw up the road for the aquaculture business into the future. The most important goal in the report is to solve the environmental challenges associated with the aquaculture industry. It is more necessary than ever.
With the new scheme, the maximum allowable biomass (MTB) is removed at the company level, and the breeders thus have the freedom to produce more fish. In isolation, this does not sound like a good idea, but it is still assumed that breeders stay within their assigned lice quota, and that the mortality rate of wild salmonids does not exceed 10%.
NJFF Finnmark believes that all salmon farming should be into zero -emission solutions within 2030. We therefore want a further strengthening of the measures proposed. At the same time, it is the government now proposes far better than the current situation. Today’s traffic light system is rigged to go against a mortality of up to 30 % of the wild salmon that leaves the rivers in our region, and along the coast. It has proven to be a disaster for both wild salmon and sea trout.
The aquaculture report gives us a unique opportunity to set a direction for the aquaculture industry that will eventually be a competitive advantage, while ensuring vibrant populations of wild salmon and sea trout along our entire coast. NJFF in Finnmark encourages our parliamentary politicians to show courage, quiet clear environmental requirements and accelerate this necessary restructuring. This is not only crucial to the future of the wild salmon, but also for long -term value creation and jobs in the aquaculture industry.
Seize this opportunity now – for the wild salmon, for the environment, and for a future -oriented aquaculture industry.
