Norway's latest netting restrictions, FISH AND FLY ask – is this enough?
Norway, with its majestic pristine rivers, glorious mountains and mighty salmon was once the envy of the salmon fishing world. But now we look on, dazed and confused, as we witness what appears to be its inexorable decline. As a nation they are guardians of arguably the finest race of Atlantic salmon on Earth, yet the once legendary Vosso salmon, famed for their remarkable size and strength are now virtually a memory.
The Norwegians are doing a thorough job of fishery mis-management too with a multi-pronged attack comprising hundreds and hundreds of fish farms in their fjords, hydro-electric power dams, interceptory netting at sea, Gyrodactylus Salaris infections and catch-and-keep fishing as the norm. Only industrial pollution seems to have been left out of their toolkit for now. Salmon in the British Isles have suffered at our hands too, we’ve thrown all of the above at them over the years (other than GS) and have of course reaped the terrible consequences. We’ve learnt the hard way – but are slowly pulling it back from the brink, so it is little wonder we are amazed when we watch Norway make the same awful mistakes as we did?
On hearing the news about the restriction measures for 2008, Orri Vigfusson of NASF was shocked and appalled, and said,
"The Norwegian salmon sea fishing regulations for 2008 are reckless and disgraceful. They go against all scientific advice and all of Norway‘s commitments to the environmental world. The small concessions are symbolic only and will only protect a small number of fish. In the last few years, river-fishery owners in Norway have been working hard on some magnificent plans to boost angling tourism and expected support and encouragement from their government, but yet again, ill-advised politicians do nothing but undermine their investment and send the wrong signals to the rest of the world about Norway salmon fishing."
Vigfusson also calls upon fishers worldwide to go and fish in Norway to show them just how important this fine natural resource is to local rural economies, and how it is genuinely cherished by the rest of the world.
FISH AND FLY will fish in Norway this year. We love the country, its people and its fishing. All is not lost and it is not too late. We want Norway back to where it belongs -- as the safe keeper of an almost perfect pristine environment. The solutions are obvious. The time is now to change.
These new measures are a very small step in the right direction, but far too little, and let’s hope not too late.