Category: Latest News
One dam thing after another! Iceland Government suspends plans for three big dams following a successful salmon protection campaign
The Icelandic Government has accepted NASF‘s objections to a new hydro-electric generating scheme on Iceland‘s biggest river and suspended the plans to build three dams to power generation plants. NASF had urged the government to adopt a precautionary approach to proposals by Landsvirkjun, Iceland‘s biggest power company, to harness power from the river Thjorsá. A proposal to this effect will now be presented to the Icelandic Parliament.
The Thjórsá, the country‘s biggest river system, originates in the mighty Hofsjökull glacier in the middle of Iceland. It hosts Iceland´s biggest sustainable wild salmon stock and also holds brown trout, sea trout and some char. Nearly 90% of the natural fish habitat in the river lies above the Urridafoss waterfall and revolutionary changes were proposed to the flow of the river. NASF warned the government that this would create huge losses of habitat …
NASF conservation deal ends 2000 years of salmon tradition
For 2000 years the fishermen of Mudeford in Dorset are believed to have followed an unbroken tradition of organised fishing to catch the big salmon and sea trout returning to the Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour from their sea migration. Thirty years ago the once-prolific runs began to decline. Now, after 20 years of failed efforts to help nature restore the salmon numbers, the remaining professional salmon fishermen have decided to hang up their nets.
For the last two decades the few salmon that still make it back to the two rivers have enjoyed complete protection. The rod fishermen and the commercial boatmen have carefully returned every salmon they caught in the hope that natural spawning and concerted efforts to improve the habitats would rebuild the runs. But the future of the salmon populations of both rivers remains officially designated …
Jim Haughey of NASF in UK’s New Year Honours list
Jim Haughey, chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund in Northern Ireland, has been appointed MBE in the UK’s New Year’s Honours List.
Mr Haughey, who lives in Belfast, was a leading figure in a conservation breakthrough aimed at restoring wild salmon stocks in Northern Ireland. He is also the chairman of the Ulster Angling Federation.
The project he led won the backing of the Northern Ireland government and the support of most leading private sector stakeholders. It brought about the first major salmon agreement in Ireland in which commercial netsmen all along the coast of Northern Ireland volunteered to cease harvesting wild salmon in order to rebuild salmon stocks.
Mr Haughey’s groups raised considerable funds to match Government funding and provide the necessary compensation package. He was able to persuade most of the region’s angling clubs and other interest groups to come …
NASF salmon conservation auction in Norway raises a record £90,000!
NASF/Reddvillaksen.no had its annual auction to raise money for wild salmon conservation last Thursday in Oslo (27th Oct). The auction raised a fantastic 800,000 NOK to the foundation, which is a new record!
On offer were many great fishing trips at home and abroad as well as some quality fishing tackle. The most desirable item was a two day salmon fishing adventure on the Alta which, after a hard “battle”, was sold for NOK 170,000 to a British fisherman!
The Board members of Reddvillaksen.no give up their time freely (over 1,000 hours annually) to save wild salmon, and are very pleased and grateful to all donors and supporters who made such generous donations and bids. Without the contributions of these kindred spirits there would be no auction and salmon would indeed be in even greater peril.
Money raised will also help launch a …
Fishing on top salmon beats auctioned to support NASF
Every year the Norwegian branch of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) host an auction in Oslo to raise money to help continue the buy-out of Atlantic salmon commercial nets around Norway. There are some spectacular opportunities here and all in aid of a fantastic cause.
Download English Auction Catalogue here.
Download Full Norwegian Auction Catalogue here.
The Seventh Auction in support of wild salmon in Norway will be held on:
27th October 2011 from 6:30 PM.
Astrup Fearnley Museum for Modern Art
Entrance from Grev Wedels plass 9, Oslo
NASF to host dinner for River Dee Ghillies, Scotland
On Saturday 15th October Orri Vigfusson and the North Atlantic Salmon Fund will host an informal dinner and Ceilidh in honour of the Ghillies of the River Dee.
The dinner is to be held at 7.30pm at the Potarch Hotel near Banchory on Royal Deeside with a presentation from Orri, followed by a question and answer session.
The evening will include a drink on arrival, a three course meal using local produce followed by tea and coffee. After the meal there will be a live band and dancing.
Tickets are £10 per head and are almost sold out. Any remaining may be obtained from Claire Vannet, Store Manager, Orvis Retail Store, Banchory, telephone 01330 824319. Alternatively if you are unable to attend please let us know by phoning 01483 538336 and speaking to Jenny Dale.
The emphasis is very much on a relaxed and …
Could a new NASF drive to save scarce salmon produce another 64- pounder?
We buy more nets – Can you help? River Exe netsmen agree deal!
Netsmen who fish Devon’s River Exe have agreed to a conservation deal aimed at restoring the stocks of what was one of England’s best salmon rivers. The river has long been a favourite for anglers but its most famous salmon was caught in the estuary by a netsman called Richard Voysey in 1924. It weighed 64 lb..
The agreement is part of a massive conservation initiative, co-ordinated by The River Exe Project, costing well over £500,000 and should help raise salmon numbers in the Exe in the most efficient and quickest way. Much of the money has already been spent over the last four years on preparations and habitat improvements that should enhance the chances of the rescued salmon to spawn successfully and help more of the resulting juveniles …
The Atlantic Salmon’s Dangerous World
NASF’s latest depiction of the world of the Atlantic salmon shows the safe areas for salmon where the fish are protected by agreements with commercial fishermen.
NASF’s latest depiction of the world of the Atlantic salmon shows the safe areas for salmon where the fish are protected by agreements with commercial fishermen. Unfortunately, there are also red spots on the map. These show the areas where mixed-stock fisheries continue to endanger wild salmon.
There is also a shaded area. This indicates the large segment of the ocean where industrial fishing takes place. These fisheries, operating principally in the North Sea and the NE Atlantic, harvest very large quantities of sand eels and capelin to be made into feed for fish farms and livestock. They also sometimes target mackerel and herring. Many fear these vessels remove much of the baby sand eel …
The Great Defender of Salmon by Sergio Cabrera
Orri features in glossy Spanish magazine, Fuera de Serie.
The Great Defender of Salmon
by Sergio Cabrera, Fuera de Seriemagazine. April 2011
Orri Vigfússon is an Icelander who devotes his life conserving salmon.Through its foundation NASF has helped to recover this species in rivers worldwide. For the past 23 years, Icelander Orri Vigfússon (Siglufordur, July 10, 1942) has dedicated his life to the salmon wild Atlantic.
Read PDF of article (Spanish) {7Mb}
NASF’s campaign against Norwegian salmon nets heats up
See letters to the Norwegian Government:
Letter from Orri Vigfusson, NASF to Erik Solheim, Minister of Environment, Norway.
Letter from Bill Taylor, ASF to Erik Solheim, Minister of Environment, Norway.
We urge you to write and complain too! Norway MUST take action before it is too late.
Here is the address:
Mr. Erik Solheim, Minister
Ministry of Environment
P.B. 8013 Dep
0030 Oslo – Norway