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Conservationists on Wednesday heralded the announcement that Greenland’s commercial catch of wild Atlantic salmon had hit a 13-year low and suggested that harvest could mean better returns on North American rivers where the fish spawn.

The New Brunswick-based Atlantic Salmon Federation said, citing the Greenland Fishery License Control Authority, that fewer than 18 metric tons were harvested off Greenland in 2018. That total is equal to about 5,270 fish and is the lowest catch on record since 2005, when an earlier conservation agreement was in place.

Continue reading “Why A Report From Greenland Signals ‘Great News’ For Wild Salmon In Maine”

Iceland’s famously pristine waters and marine life, among them wild salmon stocks, are at risk from open net pen farming.

“This is Iceland’s national treasure, its legacy to future generations. People from all over the world escape to this remote, untouched island to experience its unspoilt nature, myself included. It would be tragic if the country went the way of Norway and Scotland, which have both seen incredible environmental devastation from salmon farms,” says Chad Pike, Chair of NASF US. “I call this type of farming ‘uncontained aquaculture’ because open nets allowing tons of raw waste, chemical-laced feed, and disease to flow out of high-density pens into the open waters around them.”

Continue reading “Uncontained Aquaculture Threatens Iceland // Interview by Leonard Schoenberger”

Help us spread the word: #AgainstTheCurrent is fighting to protect Iceland from uncontained aquaculture, a dirty and environmentally devastating form of fish farming.

Iceland’s Parliament is set to consider a bill that would give the world’s largest aquaculture corporations unfettered access to the country’s famously pristine rivers and fjords, with dire consequences for the environment and local aquatic life. But in true Icelandic spirit, environmentalists, business owners, and residents are demanding a stop to the bill, demanding a thorough environmental review and consideration of sustainable alternatives.

#AgainstTheCurrent seeks to reverse the trend of destroying nature to cheaply produce fish.

Tell Iceland’s Parliament to freeze expansion and to support sustainable alternatives. Sign the petition and spread the word!

Photo Credit: Neville Crabbe/ASF

The 2018 Lee Wulff Salmon Conservation Award was presented to Chad R. Pike, chair of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (U.S.), for his key role in negotiating the recently signed agreement to suspend Greenland’s commercial salmon fishery for 12-years. A ceremony was held last night in New York at ASF’s annual Board of Directors dinner. Pictured from left are John Dillon, chair of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (U.S.), Chad Pike, and Bill Taylor, president of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

Continue reading “Chad Pike Earns Top Salmon Conservation Honor”

Norwegian fish farming company Grieg is suing journalist and author Mikael Frödin for trespassing in 2017 while filming fish farming facilities in the Alta fjord.

Mr. Frödin admits to trespassing, but objects to having committed a criminal act.

“We collected information, and it’s my journalistic obligation to show the public the negative impact of fish farming on ecosystems,” says Frödin.

The film and photo material obtained show diseased and deformed fish, neglected animals, negative ecological impact, and a significant risk for wild salmon stocks.

Continue reading “Journalist Sued by Norwegian Fish Farming Company”

Fourteen chefs have quit the Icelandic National Culinary Team in protest over a sponsorship deal the National Chef’s Club made with a salmon farming company Arnarlax. The chefs who have quit the team in protest argue that the deal flies in the face of the team’s mission to promote only products of the highest quality, that are produced sustainably, and in full harmony with nature. Arnarlax farms salmon in open pens in the ocean.

Continue reading “Mass Resignations From Icelandic National Culinary Team: Reject Unsustainably Farmed Salmon”

Countries agree to new measures for Greenland salmon fishery

NASF, ASF conservation agreement leads to international cooperation

ST. ANDREWS, N.B. – Representatives of the Greenland government agreed to a zero commercial harvest for wild Atlantic salmon in 2018, 2019, and 2020 at last week’s annual assembly of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) in Portland, Maine.

Continue reading “Countries agree to new measures for Greenland salmon fishery”

Cooperating for change: environmental advocates & anglers agree on need to educate the public & impact policy 

North Atlantic salmon faces many challenges to its continued survival, in Iceland and abroad 

Click here to read the full press release