Conservationists, politicians condemn Greenland’s decision to fish Atlantic salmon

HALIFAX – Greenland’s unilateral decision to continue fishing wild Atlantic salmon off its coast is being condemned by conservationists and politicians in Canada and the United States.

Federal fisheries departments in both countries says they are disappointed with the 45-tonne quota set by Greenland for this year and the next two at a North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization meeting last week in Labrador.

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They say the catch level is too high and goes against scientific advice that recommends no salmon be caught off Greenland’s west coast while the population tries to rebuild.

Atlantic Salmon Federation president Bill Taylor says the decision also conflicts with the stated wishes of many member nations and conservation groups to stop the harvest or dramatically reduce it.

Taylor says the move could mean fewer wild fish return to their spawning grounds in Canadian and U-S rivers after feeding off Greenland.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea says the number of adult salmon in North America last year dropped 13 per cent from the previous year.