Vegard Ludvigsen, daily manager of Alta Laksefiskeri Interessentskap (Ali), told NRK Troms og Finnmark that the agency is now prioritizing the trap. Altaelva has not had a collective solution during pink salmon years, and Ali and the Environment Agency have worked together on this challenge for several years, Ludvigsen said. Vera Løvold, advisor at the Environment Agency, told NRK Troms og Finnmark that the test in 2025 will not be an operational trap; there will be no tending, sorting, or handling of fish, only a barrier fence and a simulated catch cage.
5 million Norwegian kroner, Løvold said, while 25–30 million kroner were used for the removal project in Tanaelva in 2025. According to Løvold, new trap concepts are being developed in parallel for Altaelva and other large watercourses. If the test shows the concept is unsuitable for Altaelva, an alternative may be available by 2027.
We are very pleased that the Environment Agency is now prioritizing the work to get a pink salmon trap in Altaelva.
Altaelva is deeper and has different characteristics than Tanaelva, Løvold noted. Staff from the Veterinary Institute working in Tana will share their knowledge with local actors in Alta, and a local project manager has been hired for the Altaelva project, Ludvigsen said.
Ideally, the trap would already be in place, but we have always been clear that it is important to do this thoroughly.
It will not be an operational trap. That means there will be no tending, sorting or handling of fish, but a barrier fence and a simulated catch cage.
We are very glad that the directorate is prioritizing these funds for Altaelva.
In parallel with this year's test, we are trying to further develop new trap concepts, both for Altaelva and other large watercourses. If this year's test shows that this is not a suitable concept for Altaelva, we hopefully have another alternative in 2027.
At the same time, one must be prepared that there may be a need for both testing and adjustment in the years to come. The most important thing is to get a solution that works well over time and takes care of our unique wild salmon.
Altaelva is deeper and has some other characteristics than Tanaelva, but the concept from Tanaelva will be tested in Altaelva this year. With some local adaptations.
The combination of existing experience from Tanaelva and local knowledge in the project management means we expect to gain a great deal of knowledge from the test. The goal is that the test will result in the most operational and efficient removal of pink salmon.
The starting point for Altaelva was originally a completely new type of trap with great uncertainty and very high costs. That we are now looking towards a solution that has already been tested and gained experience with in Tanaelva feels both safer and more appropriate.