On Tuesday, the Norwegian Environment Directorate presented changes for salmon fishing in 2026, opening for regulated fishing in two watercourses that were previously closed: Signaldalselva and Skibotnelva, both in Troms. The background for the closure was the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris, which the two watercourses are now declared free from. The Environment Directorate assesses that the watercourses can tolerate limited fishing.
In an earlier version of the story, NRK wrote that three rivers were opened, but the correct number is two rivers, both in Troms. In contrast, the river Jølstra in Vestland faces a total ban on fishing for salmon and sea trout. The salmon stock in Jølstra is critically affected.
It is a tragedy, of course. For the landowners, sport fishermen, and Sunnfjord municipality.
According to NRK, Eiliv Erdal, leader of Førde elveeigarlag, described that the public has imposed a large overall burden on the river through urbanization and hydropower development. According to NRK, Eiliv Erdal described that the river is still being treated as a waste system and not as a living environment. A total ban is necessary, but more action and resources from the Environment Directorate are desired, he added.
According to NRK, Eiliv Erdal described that the stock will not be rebuilt without help, as shown from other rivers where recovery is very difficult once levels drop low. Broader conservation efforts include ongoing monitoring by the Environment Directorate, which plans to conduct an interim evaluation in July to look at the influx of wild salmon and assess possible adjustments. If the influx of salmon is 50 percent lower, they can impose further restrictions on fishing in river and sea.
One thing is what was done in the 60s, 70s, and 80s when we didn't know better. But now we still experience that the river is treated as a waste system and not as a living environment.
Wild salmon is classified as near threatened and at risk of extinction, and regulation of fishing is necessary to ensure sustainable management.
The stock will not be rebuilt without help. It shows from other rivers that when you first get down to a low level, it becomes very difficult to get back up again.