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Salmon conservationists talk strategy, partnership at London, U.K. conference
People from around the world met for three days last week at historic Fishmonger’s Hall on the banks of the Thames River in London to share wild salmon conservation strategies and strengthen partnerships.
Wild Salmon Connections was hosted by the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the Missing Salmon Alliance. Participating organizations included ASF, the Iceland-based North Atlantic Salmon Fund, Norwegian Salmon Rivers, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and British Columbia’s First Nation’s Fisheries Council, along with many others.
Some conferences are echo chamber, but not Wild Salmon Connections. The Atlantic Salmon Trust and organizing partners like ASF worked hard to attract people with divergent views and interests, and politicians who try to balance all perspectives.
We wanted to show people that even though wild salmon are in crisis, we are up to the task provided there is adequate investment and policy support from government.
Presentation topics covered the spectrum of issues facing salmon (and solutions), ranging from climate mitigation strategies, to protecting our strongholds, predation issues, harnessing the power of local community interest in salmon, dams and fish passage, marine research, and mobilizing nature finance (see the full programme).
However, the most charged topic was open net pen salmon farming. It was clearly the unifying issue, negatively affecting wild salmon and people from every jurisdiction present.
Participants shared their experiences, strategies, and we discussed the gamut of government decisions around the world to regulate or prohibit the open net pen industry. For example, it is banned in Argentina and now the State of Washington, pens are being phased out in British Columbia by 2029, efforts are being made to move the industry to sea-based closed containment in Norway, there is public upheaval in Iceland against the industry, and ASF discussed our campaign to stop expansion in eastern Canada.
Three government Ministers were in attendance who have jurisdiction over the aquaculture industry and/or wild salmon, including from the UK, Scotland, and Norway. During a panel discussion, participants did not miss their opportunity to ask the hard questions. While we got the same old, same old responses from most, we were refreshed by what the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment had to say, a young and energetic Mr. Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. Firstly, he acknowledged there was a serious problem, and secondly, he has been exploring solutions to significantly limit the impact of the industry through regulation, which will drive innovation and investment toward new technology and practices like closed containment.
The Norwegian Minister also, impressively, invited us to a breakfast to hear concerns and talk about solutions. ASF’s Louie Porta, along with Mike Meneer (CEO of Pacific Salmon Foundation), and Elvar Fridriksson (CEO of North Atlantic Salmon Fund Iceland) offered words of frustration about Norwegian salmon farming companies and encouraged the Minister to crack down on harmful practices through much stronger regulation. This is relevant to other countries because Norway typically leads the way in global salmon farming innovation—whatever Norway does, other regions usually follow. It was valuable to have the Minister’s ear.
ASF was well represented. Our President and CEO Louie Porta presented on the health of our oceans and coasts. Valerie Ouellet, VP Research & Environment, presented on thermal challenges for Atlantic salmon in a changing climate. Robert Otto, Chief Operating Officer, spoke about the socio-economic and conservation value of recreational angling. And Nathan Wilbur, VP Regional Programs, delivered a presentation focused on a bright spot in Atlantic salmon country, the Canadian north, and how ASF is trying to protect this global stronghold for the species through the Wild Salmon Watersheds program and Canada’s 30×30 protection commitment.
The core elements of the conference were rounded out by a beehive of activity of side meetings, including gatherings of the non-governmental delegation to NASCO, various podcast productions, aquaculture strategy sessions, and a visit by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and ASF to Canada House to meet with High Commissioner, Ralph Goodale.
Our visit finished with a field excursion to southern England’s unique chalk (limestone) streams. An ancestral genetic strain of wild Atlantic salmon persists in these rivers despite hundreds of years of human development and alteration. As proof, we had the pleasure of observing fresh salmon redds and all were inspired by the resilience of this species against all odds.
There is nothing like a long walk on the riverbank to get to know each other, and we did just that with our new friends from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Atlantic Salmon Trust, and others. We committed to harnessing our shared values and goals toward joint advocacy, and continuing to learn from each other through exchanges and regular contact. While the week began with handshakes, it ended with hugs. Indeed, wild salmon connections were made.