Worrying about the โalarmingly weakenedโ salmon stock in the Tana River, a border between Finland and Norway, the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) calls for both shortened fishing season and a catch limit.
In a resolution adopted at the EEA General Assembly meeting in Helsinki in late August, the organisation claims that the current regulations in the 330-kilometre river and around its outlet in the Barents Sea are far from efficient.
Scientists in both Finland and Norway have warned that the number of salmon migrating back to spawn in the Tana and its tributaries is decreasing.
The river has been known for its excellent salmon fishery, the most productive in Norway. According to Wikipedia, the world record for Atlantic salmon is still held by a salmon caught in the Tana, a 36-kilogram heavy caught in 1929.
Presently, the salmon fishing season opens on 20 May in the river and 1 June in the sea in the Tana Fjord and along the coast of Finnmark. It ends on 15 August. Shortening that season would be a key to improving the stock, EEA says, suggesting that the opening should be delayed until 1 June in the river, and 7 June in the sea.
Furthermore, a daily catch limit for salmon fishing with rod in the river should be introduced, the organisation says.