– In surveyed rivers that were open to salmon fishing all summer, 72 percent of the amount of salmon caught last year, which was also a very weak year, was caught, says Environment Directorate director Ellen Hambro in a press release.
The preliminary figures from the salmon fishery, which the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is responsible for on behalf of the Norwegian Environment Agency, are bleak.
In particular, it seems that very few salmon over three kilos came to the rivers from Vestland to the Trondheimsfjord.
Closed salmon rivers
This summer, the directorate decided to close fishing in 33 large salmon rivers from southern Norway and north to Trøndelag. 17 of the rivers remained closed throughout the summer, while 16 were reopened for limited fishing after just under three weeks.
The reason for the closures was that there were very few salmon weighing more than three kilos, which in these rivers are extra important to ensure that there are enough young salmon to make it safe to fish.
In two of the rivers that remained closed for the rest of the summer, in Glomma and Uskedalselva, it seems that somewhat more salmon have arrived than feared.
– When the salmon are as stressed as they are now, it may also be necessary in the future to stop fishing when it appears that too few salmon are coming to the rivers, explains Hambro.
New strategy next year
The director of the environment adds that from next year there will be a “precautionary strategy” in the most vulnerable rivers.
Then the Norwegian Environment Agency will be restrictive at the start of the season, and then rather open up more later if it turns out that enough salmon will arrive.
In the preliminary figures, NINA has summarized catches from four wedge seine stations, and reported catch figures and fish counts from just over 100 salmon rivers throughout the country. 53 of the rivers were open for salmon fishing throughout the season.
salmon fishing
#years #salmon #fishing #worst
**Interview with Ellen Hambro, Director of the Environment Directorate**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ellen. The recent figures regarding salmon fishing have raised some eyebrows. Could you summarize the findings from your latest survey?
**Ellen Hambro:** Absolutely, thank you for having me. Our survey revealed that in rivers that remained open for salmon fishing throughout the summer, anglers managed to catch 72 percent of the total salmon harvested last year. Notably, last year was already considered a weak year for salmon fishing, which adds further context to these findings.
**Interviewer:** That is quite significant. What do you attribute the low catch rates to, especially considering those rivers were open all summer?
**Ellen Hambro:** There are several factors at play, including environmental conditions and salmon populations that have been under stress. Climate change, habitat degradation, and increased fishing pressure can all contribute to the challenges our salmon face. This could explain why we saw such low yields despite consistent fishing opportunities.
**Interviewer:** What steps is the Environment Directorate considering to address these declining salmon populations?
**Ellen Hambro:** It’s crucial that we adopt a multifaceted approach. We are looking at measures such as improving river habitats, implementing stricter fishing regulations, and enhancing monitoring efforts. Additionally, we’re working on public awareness campaigns to promote sustainable fishing practices.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a comprehensive plan. How do you foresee the future of salmon fishing in Norway if these issues persist?
**Ellen Hambro:** If we don’t take action now, we could see continued declines, which would not only affect the salmon but also the entire ecosystem and local communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods. However, with dedicated efforts from all stakeholders, including the fishing community, we can navigate these challenges and strive for a healthier salmon population in the future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ellen, for shedding light on this important issue. It’s clear that the future of salmon fishing will depend on our collective actions.
**Ellen Hambro:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that we all do our part to ensure the sustainability of our fishery resources.
