– There is only one thing to say about it, and that is that it is a total failure, says Benn Larsen. He is a leader in the Tanavassdraget’s fisheries management (TF), and calls the fish trap in the Tana River a symbol of failed salmon management. This year, over 230,000 humpback salmon have been removed from the rivers in the north. In the Tana River, only 7,666 humpback salmon were taken. The 361 kilometer long river is considered Norway’s largest salmon river, and one of the most important in the world. Removal of humpback salmon from the fish trap in the Tana River earlier this summer. Photo: Norwegian Environment Agency Larsen is not the only one dissatisfied with the trap. During the summer, several people shared their criticism. – This is a trap that we at TF did not want. We wanted other methods to take out the salmon. He has always believed that as many humpback salmon as possible should have been caught in the sea, before the fish reached the rivers. The authorities believe that it is not possible to do this without harming the Atlantic salmon. Benn Larsen is clear in his displeasure about the fish trap in the Tana river. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news – 120,000 swam past Two miles upstream of the trap in the Tana River is the sonar of the Finnish Natural Resources Centre. Finland and Norway share the management of the Tana River because the border between the countries follows parts of the river. Researcher Panu Orell has noticed a clear increase in humpback salmon this year, despite traps. – I estimate that approximately 120,000 humpback salmon have swum past here, he says. Approximately 120,000 humpback salmon have swum past here, 20 kilometers further up the river from the salmon trap. There was a corresponding guide fence made of plastic pipes that the humpback salmon got past at the trap. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Orell also believes that the fish trap did not work well enough. For him, it is clear where the problem lies. The barrier fence on the western part of the river did not prevent fish from swimming past. He also estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 of the desired Atlantic salmon have swum past the same point. It was the Veterinary Institute, commissioned by the Norwegian Environment Agency, that operated the fish trap this year. The Norwegian Environment Agency has previously announced that the trap is not working optimally. Senior advisor at the Norwegian Environment Agency, Roy Langåker, agrees that the guide fence did not work as intended. – When so many fish have passed the western course, we have to be honest and say that we cannot say we are satisfied with it. The guide fence made of plastic pipes was actually supposed to sluice the fish from the western run into the eastern run, to the trap. Last week, the year’s work was finished and the humpback salmon trap was taken down. Senior advisor at the Norwegian Environment Agency, Roy Langåker, cannot say he is satisfied with the fish trap. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news – Don’t want the trap Although few humpback salmon were caught, Langåker still believes that a good part of the project has worked well, such as the guide fence made of metal pipes in the eastern run. – It is important to gain experience in Tana. It is a large watercourse with the potential for a lot of humpback salmon spawning. It is important to get a measure that can work for Tana. We have learned many things and are looking for improvements. According to Langåker, it is too early to say what measures must be taken before the next time large quantities of humpback salmon are expected, in 2025. Norway’s largest fish trap in Norway’s largest salmon river. In the eastern run, the trap is 140 meters wide. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Benn Larsen wants the humpback salmon trap to never be set up in the Tana river again. – We hope this is the last time we see it. This is not the way to fish for humpback salmon, he says. Asks for an evaluation of the projects The Conservative Party believes that more measures should be taken than the use of traps, nets and pole fishing to fight humpback salmon in all rivers, writes the newspaper Sagat. Anne Kristine Linnestad, parliamentary representative for the Conservative Party, says that they will ask for an independent evaluation of the projects to stop the humpback salmon. Although over 230,000 humpback salmon have been caught this summer, she thinks the traps have only partially worked. Anne Kristine Linnestad believes that the traps have only partially worked, and that the Atlantic salmon in the Tana river may have suffered bad conditions after this season. – This has led to a failure to combat the large volume of the threat posed by humpback salmon. The fact that the measures have not had an optimal effect may have led to even worse conditions for the Atlantic salmon, particularly in the Tana River. Linnestad tells the newspaper that it appears to be a mistake by the government not to allow commercial fishing and marketing of humpback salmon before it has swum into the rivers.
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120,000 humpback salmon swam past Norway’s largest salmon trap: – A total failure – news Troms and Finnmark
