WWF calls for suspension of salmon fishing in Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia

The environmental organization WWF is calling for a suspension of salmon fishing in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The number of salmon migrating from the Baltic Sea to rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia has plummeted in the past two years, according to a statement from the organization. For instance, the salmon population in the Tornionjoki river has decreased by 70%, and the reasons for this decline remain unclear.

“All unnecessary salmon mortality must be reduced to zero. A temporary halt to fishing is the only way we can attempt to positively impact the number of salmon that survive to spawn,” says Matti Ovaska, WWF Finland’s leading fisheries expert.

WWF believes that the current stock estimates are overly optimistic. Salmon migrate from the sea into rivers to spawn, and the juvenile salmon grow in these rivers before swimming back to the sea at ages 2-3. The assessment of salmon stocks is based on the number of salmon migrating to the sea. However, WWF argues that official stock assessments can present a misleadingly positive picture, as the decline in spawning salmon is only reflected in the juvenile population years later.

“Given that we do not know the reasons behind the decline in spawning salmon, it would be very risky to continue salmon fishing even at a reduced quota. The viability of salmon populations and the sustainability of fishing for years to come are at stake,” Ovaska states in the WWF announcement.

The organization indicates that fishing for salmon released into the Gulf of Finland can continue, but the fishing season should start later than it currently does. Meanwhile, decisions are being made in the Finnish Parliament regarding next year’s fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea, with final decisions expected to be made at the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council at the end of October.