– This is a symbol of the environmental crisis. This is what Torfinn Evensen, secretary general of Norske Lakseelver, says to climate and environment minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap). On Thursday, he visited Hembre farm by the banks of the Stjørdal river. The minister met, among other things, representatives from the Stjørdalselva river owners’ association and Norske salmon rivers. They believe that political action is now needed to save the wild salmon. – Someone has to pull the brakes on the farming industry and the hydropower industry, says Evensen. Calls for political action Stjørdalselva is one of 33 rivers where the Norwegian Environment Agency decided to close salmon fishing from Sunday. – This is a situation that should be a “wake-up-call” for many, says Climate and Environment Minister Eriksen. – Together, we must find good measures that enable the fishermen to return to the rivers to fish. River owners present point out that salmon lice and escaped fish from the farming industry are an important factor in why there have been few salmon in the rivers this year. Torfinn Evensen believes that measures are urgently needed to save the wild salmon in the rivers in Trøndelag. Photo: Solvår Flatås / news – The farming industry is in the process of exterminating a species and also destroying another industry, says Gunnar Fordal in the Stjørdalsvassdraget’s river owners association. He urged the minister to tackle the legislation related to the farming industry. – The politicians must step in to prevent this from continuing. If not, Fordal is afraid that the salmon population in many rivers will disappear. – It has already happened in some places in the country. This is a very dramatic situation. Gunnar Fordal in the Stjørdalsvassdraget’s river ownership group. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / news – Must manage better The minister says he expects the farming industry to take the situation seriously. – We are forced to manage our systems in a different way if we are to be able to use nature sustainably in the future as well. We will do what is in our power to contribute to this. At the same time, he says that such changes have not been made overnight. – The two major burdens on the farming industry and climate change will not disappear overnight. – Climate change in particular, including record-warming oceans, is not something that will go away. He says that in the coming years we must expect that there may be worse seasons. No one fishes for salmon in Stjørdalselva now. Photo: Solvår Flatås / news Mayors want compensation scheme Ann Jeanett Klinkenberg is mayor in Grong. She handed over a petition from mayors in five municipalities with salmon rivers. – Saving the wild salmon is job number one, says Klinkenberg. Grong is one of several municipalities where many make a living from salmon tourism. – Salmon fishing means a lot to our municipality, both financially and as a long tradition. Ann Jeanett Klinkenberg (Ap), mayor of Grong handed over a petition from five mayors in “river municipalities” along Namsen, Gaula and Orkla in Trøndelag. Photo: Adrian Tørring Haug / news In the statement, the mayors also say that studies should be made on a compensation scheme for those who are now losing money because salmon fishing has stopped. – We have many residents who make a living from salmon fishing. They have to pay their loans and afford food. Earlier today, SV politician Lars Haltbrekken, among others, stated that the farming industry should take the bill for those who are now losing income. – I have great understanding that many people are now in a difficult situation, says Bjelland Eriksen. At the same time, he says the government currently has no plans for a compensation scheme. – We are not initially planning for a compensation model. Published 27.06.2024, at 19.03
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Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen met river owners in Stjørdal – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
