– Let the sea salmon fishermen fight the humpback salmon – now!
The Labor Party’s recently adopted land program states that the fight against the humpback salmon must be strengthened – and that the traditional sea salmon fishermen will play a key role in this work.
The same applies to the party’s Sami political program, which clearly emphasizes the need to preserve and strengthen sea salmon fishing as both industry and cultural carrier.
This is very gratifying. In order to save our local populations of Atlantic salmon and preserve the sea salmon fishing culture in the north, the measures against the humpback salmon must be implemented immediately – and they must start in the sea.
Already in 2017, we warned that the humpback salmon could be a biological disaster. In 2021, we were able to note that the warnings had unfortunately become a reality-with invasion in most salmon-bearing watercourses in Northern Norway. Now we are left in front of a new and even bigger wave. It must be traded – now.
In the last four years, the government has allocated more than NOK 63 million for combating humpback salmon. In 2023, NOK 35.3 million was allocated, and in 2025 an additional 28 million. The efforts have been extensive and coordinated, and Norway has been given international recognition for its leading role in the development of gentle and effective methods. This shows that there are both political will and resources – but now the next step must be taken: Targeted fishing in the sea.
This fishing should be organized with wedge nets for an intensive period of about four weeks, when the insight is at its strongest. Requirements for frequent smoking – at least every six hours – must be set – and all Atlantic salmon that is trapped must be released again. The catch of humpback salmon should fall to the fishermen.
This will be a demanding work, with 24 -hour continuous efforts and physical wear. Therefore, the fishermen must have the opportunity to rest and close the tools if needed, as long as they inform the supervisory authorities.
We only have a short time. Now it must be traded – for the salmon, for the culture and for our coastal communities.
Tom Sottinen, 1. Candidate Østre constituency
Mona-Linn Roska, 2. Candidate Ap, Østre constituency
The Labor Party
