Wild salmon in Norway is facing a dramatic decline due to climate change and fish farming practices. Fly fishing enthusiast Christer Kristoffersen recalls a time in the 1980s when rivers were teeming with fish, contrasting sharply with the current situation where only 323,000 wild salmon returned to spawn in 2024, down from one million annually in the 1980s.
This decline has led to the species being placed on Norway’s red list of near-endangered species. The Norwegian government has responded by suspending fishing in 33 waterways and implementing new restrictions, impacting tourism and the livelihoods of 60,000 to 80,000 sport anglers.
Fish farming, a $12 billion industry, has contributed to the decline through issues like sea lice, which harm wild salmon, and genetic mixing from escaped farmed fish. Calls
for reform in the fish farming industry are growing, with demands for sealed enclosures to prevent environmental impact. While the industry acknowledges the need for change, it cites challenges in transitioning to safer practices.
for reform in the fish farming industry are growing, with demands for sealed enclosures to prevent environmental impact. While the industry acknowledges the need for change, it cites challenges in transitioning to safer practices.
It is worth noting that approximately 70% of the salmons that we consume worldwide is farmed. This means that the vast majority of salmon available in the market comes from aquaculture rather than being caught in the wild. Especially in a developing country such as Myanmar, this percentage is likely to be close to 100%. And we may have no idea on how much mercury and antibiotics go into these farm salmons and the health and safety practices of these commercial salmon farms.
