Countries pan Greenland’s unilateral decision to catch wild Atlantic salmon
Posted Jun 10, 2015 05:55:04 AM.
Last Updated Jun 10, 2015 06:13:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
STORY BY THE CANADIAN PRESS
HALIFAX – Conservationists and politicians are condemning a unilateral decision by Greenland to continue fishing wild Atlantic salmon off its coast, saying it will further imperil already historically low stocks.
Fisheries departments in Canada and the United States both say they are disappointed with the 45-tonne quota set by Greenland for this year and the next two.
The United States, European Union and Canada say the catch level is too high and goes against scientific advice, which recommends no salmon be caught while the population tries to rebuild.
The quota was set last week at a meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, which also includes Denmark, Norway and Russia.
No one from Greenland’s fisheries department was available for comment.
Atlantic salmon stocks migrate from rivers in eastern Canada and the U.S. to feed off western Greenland and then return to spawn.
