Ponoi Boosts Salmon Worldwide

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: NASF

A prominent Russian angler and conservationist, Ilya Sherbovich, has made a major financial contribution to the North Atlantic Salmon Fund’s efforts to keep the wild salmon’s Atlantic migratory routes free from commercial exploitation.

 
Mr Sherbovich, who operates and fishes the Ponoi River on the Kola Peninsula, is concerned at the threat that high seas and Norwegian commercial fisheries pose to salmon from the rivers of Russia, Norway, the UK and Ireland. The Norwegian nets intercept the fish as they return from the areas in the North East Atlantic where they mingle and feed extensively for up to three / four years before returning to spawn in their native rivers.

 
In many ways, the Ponoi has been a world leader in river management in terms of scientific research, conservation and fishing regulations and it is no surprise that the quality of  the fishing there is at the top of the range. While many rivers have suffered from lack of salmon this season no fewer than 9,521 salmon were landed on the Ponoi, making it the river’s best year since 2007.


 
“This is a very generous donation to the entire Atlantic salmon world” said Orri Vigfússon, chairman of NASF. “Most other rivers will benefit proportionately from our work much more than the Ponoi itself. Mr. Sherbovich has been a leading figure in Moscow in the international struggle to close the commercial salmon fishery in Troms and Finnmark in Norway. Scientists have confirmed that its catches are damaging stocks of several nations, including those of Norway itself.

 
Vigfússon added:

“Several years of campaigning and complaints had finally resulted in signs of a retreat by the Norwegian Government. Its officials last week hosted a meeting in Kirkenes to warn the sea fishermen that their fishing rights were up for review and that the Russians were demanding that Norway should comply with the UN Law of the Sea Treaty governing the passage of migratory fish in coastal waters.”

 
The North Atlantic Salmon Fund, NASF, is a coalition of voluntary conservation groups that have come together to restore stocks of wild Atlantic salmon to their historic abundance. See more HERE

 

More Stories
The Sporting Sale: Fly Fishing History at Bonhams